Hinokuni-san is a young blacksmith from Kumamoto Prefecture who became independent after apprenticing under Nishida-san, whose knives we also carry. He works with Shirogami (White) #1 carbon steel, a very pure steel prized for taking an extremely fine edge and for its ease of sharpening. A true measure of a great knife is its grind, and as shown in the fourth photo, this blade features an exceptionally thin, even grind that delivers outstanding cutting performance and excellent sharpening response. Because Shirogami #1 contains no chromium or tungsten, it is highly reactive and should be wiped clean and dried during and after use to prevent rust or discoloration.
The blade is made using san mai construction, with a hard Shirogami #1 core clad in softer iron and finished with a rustic kurouchi blacksmith finish. These knives are heat-treated to high hardness and ground thin at the edge for maximum performance, so care must be taken to avoid twisting the blade or cutting bones, frozen foods, or hard items, as improper use may result in chipping. Each knife is made entirely by hand, so slight variations in size, weight, and finish are normal.
Care Instructions: This knife uses reactive carbon steel and a very thin, hard cutting edge. Wipe the blade dry during use and wash and dry immediately after use. Use only on soft wood or rubber cutting boards. Avoid twisting, prying, or cutting hard or frozen foods to prevent chipping.
Each knife is made by hand so measurements may vary.Made in Japan
Maker: Hinokuni
Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
Core Steel: Shirogami #1 (White #1)
Cladding: Iron
Finish: Kurouchi
Edge Grind: Even, Double Bevel
Handle: Cherry Oval
Ferrule: Black Plastic
Weight: 6.3 oz (178 g)
Blade Length: 211 mm
Total Length: 355 mm
Spine Thickness at Base: 4 mm
Blade Height: 45 mm
The blade is made using san mai construction, with a hard Shirogami #1 core clad in softer iron and finished with a rustic kurouchi blacksmith finish. These knives are heat-treated to high hardness and ground thin at the edge for maximum performance, so care must be taken to avoid twisting the blade or cutting bones, frozen foods, or hard items, as improper use may result in chipping. Each knife is made entirely by hand, so slight variations in size, weight, and finish are normal.
Care Instructions: This knife uses reactive carbon steel and a very thin, hard cutting edge. Wipe the blade dry during use and wash and dry immediately after use. Use only on soft wood or rubber cutting boards. Avoid twisting, prying, or cutting hard or frozen foods to prevent chipping.
Each knife is made by hand so measurements may vary.
