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The Yoshida Hamono family business got the hearts of enthusiasts of exceptional knives, especially with the Kyusakichi series. Osamu san used ultra-hard ZDP189 steel for their cores. This manufacturer from the island of Kyushu, who, in addition to knives, also produces agricultural tools, can really handle hard materials. He therefore accepted gage of another challenger in the form of HAP40 steel.
HAP40 and ZDP189 are actually siblings. Their parents are steel workers from Hitachi Metals. As is the case with siblings, they are alike in some ways and different in others. Their common feature is powder metallurgy and, above all, unprecedented hardness. We're talking really high values on the Rockwell hardness scale here. The HAP40 steel itself reaches 64-68 HRC, while on the blades it is still a more moderate interval of 65-66 HRC. Based on personal experience with the manufacturer, we have no doubts that in this case he reached the upper limit. Another common feature is excellent abrasion resistance and thus the edge maintains a long service life. Let's add strength to that and an exclusive material is in the world.
It is interesting that each of the sisters achieved these qualities in a different way. While ZDP189 relied on massive carbon content and a corresponding portion of chromium, HAP40 chose a different path. The proportion of carbon corresponds to traditional carbon steels, but other admixtures reach unusual values. That is, with the exception of chrome, but more on that later. Molybdenum 5.4%, Vanadium 3.3%, Tungsten 6.5%, Cobalt 8.5%, these are the parameters of high alloy steel.
Now let's get to the differences. Unlike ZDP189, HAP40 is a high-speed tool steel. But an even more significant difference is in resistance to corrosion. ZDP189 is an anti-corrosion steel. HAP40 contains only 4.7% chromium, so we talk about semi-stainless steel. In other words, this steel does not resist moisture like typical anti-corrosion materials. It is therefore appropriate to use oil on the blades.
The Yoshida Hamono HAP40 knives have San Mai blades with a Kurouchi finish. The construction is of course WA-Bocho. The HAP40 core is coated on the sides with a layer of anti-corrosion steel. The edge is symmetrical in the Hamaguri shape. The black blade is hand-stamped with the manufacturer's name in kanji characters and the steel designation HAP40. The octagonal handle, like the ferrule, is made of maple wood. It is specially impregnated with resin in order to highlight its interesting drawing and increase its durability. By adding pigment, a resemblance to the sand dunes of the Tottori area was achieved. Together with the brass decorative ring and the dark ferrule, it creates an unusual but very elegant whole.
©2022 Copyright Roman Ulík, Nippon Knives, www.japonskenoze.sk all rights reserved.
Photos and texts are protected by copyright law and their use without the author's consent is not possible.
About producer
This time we will visit the southernmost of Japan's main islands - the island of Kyushu. Similar to neighboring Shikoku, mountains alternate here with a huge number of small fields. A large part of the island has an agrarian character and therefore blacksmiths have always played an important role here. The so-called "field blacksmiths" have been making tools for local farmers, fishermen and foresters for many generations.
It was no different with Seiji Yoshida, the founder of the company Yoshida Hamono. Before laying the foundation stone of his company in Saga Prefecture in 1946, he apprenticed as a blacksmith with local masters. They initiated him into the secrets of making real Japanese swords. Since then, this art has been carefully preserved in the company for several generations.
The Japanese have many qualities that could be an inspiration for us. Moderation is one of them. A Japanese does not get rid of a product as long as it serves him well. That's why he takes care of him with the proverbial thoroughness. In return, he will get a good feeling from its trouble-free and pleasant use. This is also the credo of the Yoshida Hamono company. He makes his knives from the best materials in such a way that they bring pleasure to the user every day and for an unlimited period of time.
Even though it is a family business, not a large one, Yoshida Hamono ensures complete production. He buys unique steel from Yasugi Specialty Steels /YSS/, which he then processes by hand using traditional hizukuri procedures. The handles, which are used to finalize the knives directly in the company, are also handmade
You may ask why we chose a manufacturer from Saga Prefecture, which is not one of the renowned centers of Japanese blacksmithing. The answer is simple. There are only a few manufacturers who can make genuine uchihamono from ZDP-189 steel. And Yoshida Hamono is one of them.
©2020 Copyright Roman Ulík, Nippon Knives, www.japonskenoze.sk all rights reserved.
Photos and texts are protected by copyright law and their use without the author's consent is not possible.
