Diamond sharpening rod M-159

Tamahagane is the designation of first-class steel, which was primarily intended for the production of the highest quality swords of Japanese samurai. Only real katanas boasted tamahagane steel blades. The reason was the high price, which corresponded not only to uncompromising quality, but also to a demanding production method.

Tamahagane /tama = gem, hagane = steel/ is produced in Tatara clay "baths" with dimensions of 1200x3700x1200mm. Tatara is gradually layered with iron ore sand /10t/ and charcoal /12t/. After 72 hours of burning, a Kera "steel flower" weighing about 2.3 tons is created. It contains 3 products with different carbon content. Hocho-tetsu is a softer steel with a lower carbon content, while Nabe-gane and Tamahagane contain 1-1.5% carbon, which guarantees their high hardness. Only about 1t of tamahagane is obtained from the entire production cycle. Today, only one steel mills in Japan produce tamahagane steel in this traditional way, and only once a year.

The manufacturer of exclusive kitchen knives from the city of Tsubame, located on the northern coast of Niigata prefecture, borrowed the name tamahagane for its products. However, the Japanese strictly adhere to traditions and moral obligations, so Mr.Kataoka constructs its knives according to proven old recipes.

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