Tosaichi Shirakumo

Shinsuke Hokiyama pleased us with another news. Just to refresh your memory, Hokiyama Cutlery is the most prominent knife manufacturer on the island of Shikoku. He is known for introducing new technological procedures and as one of the few current manufacturers can produce a complete knife "in house", i.e. without any cooperation with another manufacturer. On the contrary, he himself provides finalization work for many blacksmiths. Even manufacturers in the Sakai area buy his roughly made blades. No wonder every tour of his factory ends with Shinsuke sighing, "I have to buy more machines."

Tosaichi Shirakumo is the name of the latest addition from the Hokiyama Cutlery workshop. Fans of this manufacturer can tell the essentials from the name itself. Tosaichi means that the knife is made of traditional materials, and Shirakumo suggests that it will probably be Shirogami steel. It's exactly like that. The White Cloud (literal translation of the word Shirakumo) has a core forged from "white" Shirogami 2 from Yasugi Specialty Steel. This grade of low-alloy steel is very popular as it is more forgiving to the user than Shirogami 1. It is extremely hard (62-63 HRC) with excellent edge retention. Since it is not an anti-corrosion material, in the San Mai composition it is clad with SUS 405 stainless steel. Therefore, you only treat the blade itself with blade oil.

Shirakumo has a beautiful hammered texture with hints of hamon. The right side of the blade bears the name Tosaichi Shirakumo, in kanji characters of course. The Yasuki Shirogami 2 characters are stamped on the left. Based on our long-term experience, we can say that Tosaichi and Sakon knives are characterized by a perfect edge. The grinders of this company deserve our deep respect. Even in this case, it is flawless work. The blade is symmetrical and characterized by small angles. The knife is therefore razor sharp.

As for the handles, the manufacturer bet on safety. We have not yet met a user who would have any objections to the oval. Finely smoothed rosewood smoothly transitions into a ring made of stabilized pakkawood. Here, premium materials are perfectly combined with masterful craftsmanship. The interesting and decent texture of the blade, the soft hamono and the exclusive handle create one of the most beautiful knives in our collection.

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