Nigara Hamono Migaki Tsuchime SG2 15cm japanese Utility knife turquoise handle

Nigara Hamono is a historic Japanese forge that has been in business for almost 350 years! In its early days, it made swords for samurai during the feudal Edo period. This ancestral know-how has been passed down from generation to generation, and today it's the 8ᵉ generation of the Yoshizawa family who carry on this tradition.

Proud of its heritage, the forge continues to employ traditional forging techniques, while collaborating with artisans with authentic skills. Based in Hirosaki, northern Japan, Nigara Hamono produces a wide range of handcrafted knives, combining traditional Japanese designs with more original creations!

A high-quality Nigara knife

This all-purpose knife features a blade manufactured using the Japanese San Maï method (meaning "three layers"). This technique consists of forging a core of hard steel, enveloped by two layers of softer steel (in effect, one layer folding in on itself). This process ensures a well-balanced hardness of your blade and guarantees protection of its central core.

The core of this blade is made from SG2 Japanese powder-metallurgy steel, a high-quality alloy developed by Takefu Special Steel. With a carbon content of around 1.3%, this steel guarantees high hardness, bearing in mind that the harder the steel, the more effective the cutting edge of your knife. This Japanese kitchen knife achieves a hardness of 63HRC on the Rockwell scale, ensuring a cutting edge that's both precise and durable!

SG2 steel also contains around 15% chromium, offering enhanced corrosion resistance. However, despite its greater strength, this Japanese knife still requires careful maintenance to prevent any risk of oxidation.

Another advantage of the SG2 is its microstructure. Thanks to its "pure" composition, the micro-carbides are evenly distributed, improving the blade's resistance to wear and reducing the risk of micro-cracking.

This blade has a " flat " cutting edge, giving it a razor-sharp, razor-sharp finish. This type of cut is not only aesthetically pleasing, with clean, uncluttered lines, but also relatively easy to reproduce when sharpening, while offering remarkable strength.

The San Maï is completed by the addition of a layer of softer stainless steel that envelops the core, providing suppleness and strength without making the blade flexible. This reinforcement reduces the risk of breakage during use. In addition to its performance, the San Maï is very aesthetically pleasing, forming a delicate wave visible all along the cutting edge, the result of the superposition of steels.

The blade has been polished (known as"Migaki"), adding an extra touch of elegance, while its hammering (known as"Tsuchime") in hexagonal patterns gives it a distinctive look that is uncommon in artisan cutlery. Last but not least, hand-engraved kanji by the craftsman add character and underline its authenticity.

The universal knife with an elegant stone handle

The handle of this Nigara knife is made of turquoise stone, a long-lasting material. Thanks to its high density, this material is highly resistant to humidity, which is very practical in the kitchen. Turquoise stone is appreciated for its elegant azure-blue color. It is also prized for its spiritual, protective and relaxing properties. Note that, as the handle is made of stone, the weight of this utility knife is higher than average, for firm handling.

This Western-shaped handle is designed to suit all cooks, whether right- or left-handed, offering an ergonomic grip and optimum comfort, even during prolonged use in the kitchen!

To ensure that your Nigara knife is perfectly balanced, a stainless steel bolster has been added where the blade meets the handle. In addition, two mosaic rivets securely attach the handle to the full tang blade, guaranteeing reliability and durability.

Your SG2 knife should be cared for by hand, using a sponge and mild detergent. After each cleaning, be sure to dry it immediately to remove any moisture, and store it in a dry place. Do not put in the dishwasher, or leave to soak in the sink.

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