Koshiki Tanren

Manufacturer Yoshida Hamono from Saga prefecture on the island of Kyushu is known primarily for knives made of ZDP-189 steel. Of course, his portfolio also includes other products. The peculiarity of the manufacturer is that, in addition to stamped knives, which today represent the absolute majority worldwide, it also deals with hand-forged knives. Due to the time-consuming nature and great interest, however, it is unlikely that they will be obtained. But if you put your mind to it, prepare for a long delivery time, which will be even longer in the finale. Trust us, we have experiences with that. We are all the more pleased to be able to introduce you to at least one representative from this category signed by Yoshida Hamono.

Funayuki Koshiki Tanren - yes, this knife really deserves such a complicated name. From a distance, it may remind you of Deba, but its weight category and blade parameters make it a Funayuki. So it is a universal knife that functionally moves in Petty and Santoku type territories. Koshiki is an expression for the traditional method of production and Tanren for forging iron in order to achieve its best quality. And the head-scratching name is unlocked.

The knife looks stunning at first glance. A layman would think that it is an old oxidized knife that someone accidentally dug up in the garden. But since we are not laymen, we know that it is a hand-forged kurouchi blade. The knife is forged roughly, exactly so that it fulfills its function - cutting. Nothing more, nothing less. The material exposes the hammer blows and suppresses any attempt at sleekness. That's how we like it. For example, the spine tapers towards the tip. The Shinogi is polished and forms a beautiful contrast to the upper dark part. The construction is of course San Mai, i.e. three-layer. The core is made of high-carbon steel SUJ-2. Its extreme hardness at the level of 62-64HRC guarantees excellent resistance to abrasion. It is therefore also used in the production of bearings. The outer layers are forged from SS400 steel. The robust blade is symmetrical. As befits a hand-forged Japanese blade, it is not anti-corrosion. It thus requires oil treatment. On the right side, the kanji characters of Tanren Kyusakichi are embossed. With such a knife, half tang will not surprise anyone. The handle is oval made of zelkova wood (Japanese hornbeam). The resin ring is decorated with a Kyusakichi manufacturer's trademark sticker.

Taste quickly, samples are really for tasting only.

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