Atsushi Hosokawa and his son have been producing knives at Gihei in Sanjo City since taking over a shop established in 1928. Their focus is HAP40 - Hitachi powdered high-speed semi-stainless steel that achieves 65-66 HRC through powder metallurgy that conventional steel production cannot match. The result is edge retention that consistently surprises cooks who encounter it for the first time - three to five times longer between sharpenings than standard carbon or stainless alternatives.
The kiritsuke suits cooks who want the flat profile and tanto tip made with Gihei HAP40 steel. It is well suited to push-cutting and slicing tasks, with the pointed tip giving it additional precision for detail work. The octagonal oak handle and the even, double-bevel grind will suit both left- and right-handed users well.
What Customers Are Saying: Marty chose the CKTG finish sharpening service and was happy with it, then put his own edge on it because he couldn't resist doing so. Had heard HAP40 was difficult to hand-sharpen at this hardness - found no such issues and describes the result as an absolute razor edge. Simple, elegant design that delivers on every count. His note on hand-sharpening HAP40 is worth sharing: the steel responds well to consistent technique.
Care Instructions: HAP40 is a semi-stainless steel - highly stain-resistant under normal kitchen conditions. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher. Use wood or rubber cutting boards. Avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard materials. Sharpen on quality water stones - HAP40 at 65-66 HRC sharpens more readily than its hardness suggests and responds well to stropping between sessions. The extraordinary edge retention means sharpening sessions are less frequent than with any other steel in the lineup.Blacksmith: Atsushi Hosokawa
Workshop: Gihei
Location: Sanjo City, Japan
Founded: 1928
Construction: San Mai
Edge Steel: HAP40 PM Semi-Stainless (Hagane)
Cladding: Stainless Steel (Jigane)
HRC: 65-66
Edge Grind: Even (50/50), Double Bevel
Handle: Octagonal Oak, Burnt Urushi Finish
Weight: 5.0 oz (144 g)
Blade Length: 203 mm
Total Length: 350 mm
Spine Thickness at Base: 2 mm
Blade Height: 41 mm
The kiritsuke suits cooks who want the flat profile and tanto tip made with Gihei HAP40 steel. It is well suited to push-cutting and slicing tasks, with the pointed tip giving it additional precision for detail work. The octagonal oak handle and the even, double-bevel grind will suit both left- and right-handed users well.
What Customers Are Saying: Marty chose the CKTG finish sharpening service and was happy with it, then put his own edge on it because he couldn't resist doing so. Had heard HAP40 was difficult to hand-sharpen at this hardness - found no such issues and describes the result as an absolute razor edge. Simple, elegant design that delivers on every count. His note on hand-sharpening HAP40 is worth sharing: the steel responds well to consistent technique.
Care Instructions: HAP40 is a semi-stainless steel - highly stain-resistant under normal kitchen conditions. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher. Use wood or rubber cutting boards. Avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard materials. Sharpen on quality water stones - HAP40 at 65-66 HRC sharpens more readily than its hardness suggests and responds well to stropping between sessions. The extraordinary edge retention means sharpening sessions are less frequent than with any other steel in the lineup.
Reviews
1 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Excellent knifePosted By: Marty
24 people found this review helpful
This knife is certainly everything I wanted it to be. My first hap40 steel. I got the finish sharpening service and was quite happy with it, but I can never go long without putting my own edge on a knife. I've heard the hardness makes hap40 difficult to hand sharpen but I had no issues and it is an absolute razor edge. It's design is simple and elegant, the thin profile leaves almost no resistance slicing through anything. It's versatile and likely to be my first choice on most projects now.
24 people found this review helpful
This knife is certainly everything I wanted it to be. My first hap40 steel. I got the finish sharpening service and was quite happy with it, but I can never go long without putting my own edge on a knife. I've heard the hardness makes hap40 difficult to hand sharpen but I had no issues and it is an absolute razor edge. It's design is simple and elegant, the thin profile leaves almost no resistance slicing through anything. It's versatile and likely to be my first choice on most projects now.
