Kasumi Anryu

Katsumi Sumikama has prepared many surprises for us this year. Really unusual for Japanese conservatism. It was not at all easy to resist the temptation to launch all the news at once. But we know from our own experience that even good needs to be dosed reasonably. So let's get to it.

The Kasumi brand is best known for its Damascus blades. But recently, the company Sumikama Cutlery has also become visible through cooperation activities. For example, it produces blades for Super Stone Barrier knives, which are then applied by an external company, but the finalization is taking place again in the premises Sumikama Cutlery. But it's not just modern knives. Katsumi Sumikama has decided to supplement his collection with hand-forged knives made of traditional materials. And he chose the right path. 

There are several areas in Japan where acclaimed masters work in the same way as many generations before. Tosa , Sakai, Tsubame and of course Takefu. And it is here, as per new name in Echizen, that the legendary master Katsushige Anryu works. Let's say something about the blacksmith, who, in addition to his work, is also famous for the statement: "Iron is alive. Whether he survives or dies depends on the blacksmith. ”The motto that Anryu-san has followed for over 50 years. & Nbsp;

He comes from a family where the previous 3 generations have been blacksmithing since 1870. His plans were different, but as the eldest son he had no choice. He had to continue in his father's footsteps. After graduating from high school in 1959, he started working as an apprentice in his father's workshop. His talent soon became apparent and he became a prominent member of Takefu Knife Village. It is an association created by leading blacksmiths from the city of Echizen. Despite his mature age and great career, Anryu-san modestly says, "I'm still trying to make a better knife." Katsumi didn't have to think long in deciding who to make blades for his knives. It was just a matter of getting my job on Master Anrya's crowded diary. However, as it turned out, the Kasumi brand is a sufficient attraction even for masters of this format. This created a very fruitful connection, which results in perfect knives. 

It is logical that the masters of the Katsushige Anryu class reach exclusively for the highest quality materials. Therefore, Super Blue Core is not surprising. Translated by Aogami Super steel core from Hitachi Steel Co. It is lined on both sides with softer iron, as we are used to with blades San Mai . In the spirit of the Rolls Royce car philosophy, where there is talk of sufficient performance, the hardness in specific numbers is not mentioned in this category of knives as well. The blades are just hard, which means well above 60HRC. How many degrees above this limit is not important. After all, it is an Aogami Super. 

The blades are made of black, unpolished. Each bears on one side the masters' signature embossed in kanji characters and on the other the logo and inscription KASUMI to make it clear to whom they were made. The blade is symmetrical in the shape of the letter "V". 

The blades are fitted with oval handles made of perfectly brushed cherry wood. The traditional Japanese construction and the absence of a ferrule give the knives a minimalist look, in this case explicitly desirable. The more luxurious version with an inseparable octagonal handle has a red pakkawood ferrule. The result is a practical knife made from the finest materials and with an indescribable aura. 

Small-scale production with long delivery times adds to the exclusivity of these knives. 

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