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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.
©2023 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.
