TAMAHAGANE

Tamahagane is a designation for first-class steel, which was primarily intended for the production of the highest quality swords of Japanese samurai. Noblest katanas always boasted tamahagane steel blades. High price corresponds not only to uncompromising quality, but also to the demanding method of production.

Kera

Tamahagane / tama = jewel, hagane = steel / is produced in clay "baths “Tatar with dimensions 1200x3700x1200mm. Tatara is gradually layered with iron ore / 10t / and charcoal / 12t /. After 72 hours of burning, about 2.3 tons of "steel flower" Kera is formed. It contains 3 products with different proportions of carbon. Hocho-tetsu is a softer steel with a lower carbon content, while Nabegane and Tamahagane contain 1-1.5% carbon, which guarantees them high hardness. Only about 1 ton of tamahagane is obtained from the entire production cycle.

Today in Japan, only two steel mills produce tamahagane steel in this traditional way, and only twice a year. The manufacturer of exclusive kitchen knives from Tsubame, located on the north coast of Niigata Province, has borrowed the name tamahagane for its products. 

Check out the production of Tamahagane knives with us

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