Kiritsuke with a 231 mm blade

Steel: Aogami #1
Cladding: Iron
Weight: 219 grams
Blade length (tip to heel): 229 mm
Blade height (at heel): 45 mm

These knives embody the very essence of the blacksmithing tradition in the Japanese city of Sakai. They are entirely handmade by the highly skilled blacksmith Yoshikazu Tanaka, who works with Aogami #1 carbon steel, carefully forged and heat-treated with great precision. The blade features a beautiful black kurouchi finish over a rough-ground surface — a simple yet striking finish that leaves no one indifferent. The knife feels excellent in the hand and has a substantial weight. A truly fine knife with a strong personality.

The handle is octagonal and made of oak.

Yoshikazu Tanaka is a blacksmith based in Sakai, Japan — a city renowned for producing many of the country’s most prestigious knives. Tanaka has earned a reputation as one of the finest smiths in the region. He works using his own techniques and pays meticulous attention to detail. Sometimes he employs traditional natural materials to achieve the desired result, while at other times he uses modern methods such as a heat-treating furnace, which is relatively uncommon in Sakai. One thing is certain: his knives are in a class of their own. His lead times are steadily increasing, and we predict that his creations will become highly sought-after in the coming years.