Nishida Shirogami 15cm handmade Japanese funayuki knife

The model :

The Funayuki knife has a hybrid shape that blends that of the santoku with that of the Japanese boning knife, the honesuki. It's quite versatile, and its medium size makes it easy to handle.

Blade:

This Funayuki Nishida Shirogami 15cm knife is built according to the Japanese San Mai form: a hard core surrounded by a softer alloy sandwiching it. This type of blade construction can be found in many ranges of all brands.

Here's the composition of this particular knife:

- A blade core in White Steel #1 (also known as Shirogami 1). This is a Japanese steel produced by Hitachi steelworks (a major Japanese steel producer with an established reputation). This alloy is appreciated by cooks with traditional values, since it is produced directly there and is worked by the best blacksmiths. Blacksmiths also like to work it because it's easy to handle and shape. In fact, this alloy is Nishida san's favorite.
In particular, it is enriched with iron ore and carbon (approx. 1.2%). These two elements increase the blade's hardness (around 61 HRC), and a stiffer blade can be sharpened more thoroughly. The result is a sharp edge from the very first cut, and one that will hold for a long time to come, as the retention capacity of this steel is marked. Another plus point: despite its rigidity, this alloy is easy to sharpen! You can maintain it with a whetstone. Finally, there's its "purity": at the microscopic level, its structure is very homogeneous, making it more resistant to the risk of splintering.

- A layer of soft iron wraps around the Shirogami, sandwiching it. This layer protects the Shirogami, while giving it a slight suppleness, making it less prone to breakage. Indeed, it's important to understand that a rigid knife is more prone to chipping, because its edge is so rigid that a small shock can cause it to shatter. Having a "softer" outer layer, i.e. made of a "softer" material, will counterbalance this important rigidity.

You can appreciate the blade's rough-forged finish: it's dark, rustic-looking. It's a much-appreciated traditional finish, full of contrast. Japanese chefs love its authenticity!

Finally, discreet kanji have been applied to the cutting surface, for even greater authenticity.

Handle:

A black Pakkawood bolster forms the link with the blade. Pakkawood is a composite material with many interesting advantages. It is antibacterial, resistant to temperature variations and humidity. All of which adds up to a material perfectly suited to the culinary world.

The handle, meanwhile, is made from sandalwood, a beautiful dark wood that perfectly complements the rough-forged blade. This light wood is pleasant to grip, and has been polished for a soft feel. Its oval shape is suitable for both right- and left-handed cooks.

Wood paste fills the space between the blade and the handle to prevent small scraps from entering.

How do I care for my knife?

As it is highly enriched with carbon and has a soft iron outer layer, you must wash it by hand and dry it properly afterwards.

Do not put it in the dishwasher or soak it in the sink.

Carbon is oxidizable, so the knife will be sensitive to this, hence the importance of drying it thoroughly after washing. Note, however, that the alloy remains highly reactive, and you may observe a difference in color over time. This is due to the acidity of the cut food and the humidity in the air - it's perfectly normal! Use mineral oil on the blade from time to time, as this will do it good and help protect it from corrosion.

A few words about the blacksmith:

Nishida san is a young blacksmith with 12 years' experience. He lives and works in Kumamoto, a Japanese city located in the west of the island of Kyūshū. He thinks and makes his knives with great care and precision. The knives he makes available to you are both ergonomic and high-performance: work with pleasure every time you prepare your recipes!

Don't hesitate any longer, and get to the heart of Japanese knife-making tradition with a Nishida kitchen knife!

See also our superb selection of handcrafted Japanese knives!