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I admit, I don’t even know how to start presenting this product. My head is spinning with so many ideas and I’m having trouble organizing them. I’d like to avoid superlatives so that you don’t lose your sense of objectivity, but it’s a difficult task. God, why are steaks at the bottom of my food list?
This brilliant idea was born in the head of a top chef from Saga Prefecture, who obtained a Michelin star during his stay in Paris. He then materialized it in a way that only true field blacksmiths can do. And Yoshida Hamono has the best. Behind every inch of this product are hundreds of sickles, hoes, and even premium knives that have passed through the hands of their masters.
The hand-forged steak set consists of a sharp knife and a simple fork, which rest on a really massive (160g) steel plate. Their design will make you imagine that you are feasting at the court of Ieyasu Tokugawa at the beginning of the Edo period. The knife has a blade in the shape of the now very popular Bunka, whose K-tip can handle any challenge. It doesn't matter whether you are cutting delicate wagyu or a tougher flank. The blade itself, like the overall appearance, is robust so that it does not need to be sharpened too often. Nevertheless, it is recommended to portion steaks on wooden boards. The blade bears the discreet KYUSAKICHI marking.
The fork is a minimalist two-pronged design that perfectly matches the knife. The set is in the Kurouchi version, i.e. unpolished. This, together with the hammered design, gives it a unique atmosphere. The structured handles are a guarantee that they will not fall out even from a greasy hand.
Each piece is hand-forged and therefore a unique original. When choosing the material, the decision was made to use the proven AUS8 steel, which is popular due to its balanced ratio between hardness, strength and anti-corrosion properties.
Our two-year patience paid off. Although we did not receive the entire ordered quantity, even those few pieces gave us an extraordinary experience. We did not hesitate with the invitation to our Nippon Knives' Top Gun academy.
©2025 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.
