Tojiro Knife Atelier 1
If you ever manage to wander into Niigata Prefecture, don't miss a tour of the Tojiro Display Factory. A well-known manufacturer built this small tasteful operation to show interested parties all the production steps necessary for the creation of a kitchen knife. The operation is open to the public. There is one department between it and the actual Tojiro manufacturing plant, which unfortunately you can't get to. You have no choice but to believe the following lines.
Tojiro Knife Atelier is the name of the workshop incorporated into the production area of the company of the same name. Hand-forged jewels with the logo of the four Fuji mountains are born here, which are worth waiting for. The atelier was founded by Matsumura-san, who is also the head blacksmith. Work is done here in the traditional hizukuri way. In his work, he follows the corporate credo of Ichigo Ichie, according to which every encounter in life is unique. This teaching, taken from the tea ceremonies, was applied by the maker to the knife and its user. Tojiro thus became one of the few manufacturers that offers stamped and hand-forged knives in-house. In addition to kitchen knives, hunting knives are also produced here, which you can find in our offer.
From the latest production of Tojiro Knife Atelier, we have chosen a Bunka knife for you for several reasons. It is a truly universal tool that can handle even more than the famous Santoku type thanks to its K-tip. In addition, its shape is very attractive, as it resembles the Japanese Tanto short sword.
The 170mm damascene blade consists of 63 layers forged from anti-corrosion steel. The proven cobalt VG10 core comes from Takefu Special Steel. The upper part is unpolished and left in its original state after hardening (Kurouchi). The polished bottom reveals the alternation of softer and harder layers. The play of ripples ends above the symmetrical edge with a distinctive hamon. The final step is the embossing of kanji characters - Made by Tojiro Knife Atelier.
The handles, in this case, play in the same league as their noble blades. You will probably agree with us that the octagon is more than expected in this class. Great emphasis was placed on the selection of materials and their processing. A subtle decorative ring optically separates the handle from the ferrule. That's why this half tang looks minimalistic but at the same time exclusive. A tasteful detail is the manufacturer's logo located at the end of the handle. Just look at the material combinations offered and it is immediately clear to which category the knives belong.
Sakura/Eben
Sakura stands out with its fine texture. It feels warm and soft. But above all, it is very strongly connected with Japanese spiritual life, which gives the knife another dimension. The partition between the handle and the ferrule is created by a ring made of exotic ebony. Its dark color gives the light sakura the necessary contrast.
Padouk/Artifician marble
Padouk is a tropical wood from the region of equatorial Africa. It is characterized by a nice reddish-brown color and a distinctive texture in the form of dark stripes. That is why it is a favorite material of interior designers. Despite the typical pores, the wood is very resistant to moisture and thus to mold and bacteria. Its dimensional stability and resistance to abrasion predetermine it for the production of luxury floor coverings. The partition between the handle and the ferrule is formed by a decorative ring made of white artificial marble.
Wenge/Artificial marble
Wenge is a rare tropical wood originating, like Padouk, from the regions of Central Africa. It has in common not only the place of occurrence, but also the physical properties. It is hard, dense, resistant to abrasion, mold and rot. Its texture is very elegant. A dark brown background with black veins and prominent pores alternates here. Due to its appearance, it often substitutes for insufficient ebony. It is a popular material for the production of furniture and decorative items. The partition between the handle and the ferrule is formed by a ring made of white artificial marble.
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