Gesshin Hinoura

Tsukasa Hinoura is the third generation of blacksmiths carrying on the Ajikataya brand, working with his son Mutsumi-san. Hinoura-san is well known for the quality of his work, especially his "Tsukasa" line. We brought in this line so that more people could try Hinoura-san's work. Moreover, whenever we get a chance, we do our best to support young craftsmen, such as his son.

Hinoura-san's heat treatment is top notch, and his style reflects a lot of the regional attributes. These knives have an exceptional distal taper, and wonderful wide bevel, which facilitates thinning and sharpening.

Tsukasa Hinoura is the third generation of blacksmiths carrying on the Ajikataya brand, working with his son Mutsumi-san. Hinoura-san is well known for the quality of his work, especially his "Tsukasa" line. We brought in this line so that more people could try Hinoura-san's work. Moreover, whenever we get a chance, we do our best to support young craftsmen, such as his son.

Hinoura-san's heat treatment is top notch, and his style reflects a lot of the regional attributes. These knives have an exceptional distal taper, and wonderful wide bevel, which facilitates thinning and sharpening.

Tsukasa Hinoura is the third generation of blacksmiths carrying on the Ajikataya brand, working with his son Mutsumi-san. Hinoura-san is well known for the quality of his work, especially his "Tsukasa" line. We brought in this line so that more people could try Hinoura-san's work. Moreover, whenever we get a chance, we do our best to support young craftsmen, such as his son.

Hinoura-san's heat treatment is top notch, and his style reflects a lot of the regional attributes. These knives have an exceptional distal taper, and wonderful wide bevel, which facilitates thinning and sharpening.

Tsukasa Hinoura is the third generation of blacksmiths carrying on the Ajikataya brand, working with his son Mutsumi-san. Hinoura-san is well known for the quality of his work, especially his "Tsukasa" line. We brought in this line so that more people could try Hinoura-san's work. Moreover, whenever we get a chance, we do our best to support young craftsmen, such as his son.

Hinoura-san's heat treatment is top notch, and his style reflects a lot of the regional attributes. These knives have an exceptional distal taper, and wonderful wide bevel, which facilitates thinning and sharpening.

Tsukasa Hinoura is the third generation of blacksmiths carrying on the Ajikataya brand, working with his son Mutsumi-san. Hinoura-san is well known for the quality of his work, especially his "Tsukasa" line. We brought in this line so that more people could try Hinoura-san's work. Moreover, whenever we get a chance, we do our best to support young craftsmen, such as his son.

Hinoura-san's heat treatment is top notch, and his style reflects a lot of the regional attributes. These knives have an exceptional distal taper, and wonderful wide bevel, which facilitates thinning and sharpening.

Tsukasa Hinoura is the third generation of blacksmiths carrying on the Ajikataya brand, working with his son Mutsumi-san. Hinoura-san is well known for the quality of his work, especially his "Tsukasa" line. We brought in this line so that more people could try Hinoura-san's work. Moreover, whenever we get a chance, we do our best to support young craftsmen, such as his son.

Hinoura-san's heat treatment is top notch, and his style reflects a lot of the regional attributes. These knives have an exceptional distal taper, and wonderful wide bevel, which facilitates thinning and sharpening.

This is a set of 3 types of traditional Japanese nails, made from the same twisted damascus material Hinoura-san uses in his high-end knives.  Sanjo, the city in which he resides, is famous for making these traditional types of nails, which are used in the reconstruction of temples and shrines.  Every few years, the younger craftsmen from the area come together to make tons of these nails for use in these temples and shrines.  Hinoura-san and I share a deep interest in these kinds of traditions.  We had a great idea to have him make nails like these, but when we went to talk to him about it, he had thought of the same thing around the same time already.  It seems like these were destined to be.  While they are functional and can be used, we had them made with the intention of being artistic pieces.

The three types of nails are Makigashira Kugi (the one with the rolled top), Kaiore Kugi (the one with the bent top), and Kakuatama Kugi (the one with the square top).

These are carbon steel, and can rust if not cared for properly.  We recommend using renaissance wax or a similar protectant if you intend to leave these out on display.  We will make sure they have a protective coating before shipping as well.

Tsukasa Hinoura is the third generation of blacksmiths carrying on the Ajikataya brand, working with his son Mutsumi-san. Hinoura-san is well known for the quality of his work, especially his "Tsukasa" line. We brought in this line so that more people could try Hinoura-san's work. Moreover, whenever we get a chance, we do our best to support young craftsmen like his son.

Hinoura-san's heat treatment is top notch, and his style reflects a lot of the regional attributes of Sanjo. These knives have an exceptional distal taper, and strong wide bevel, which facilitates thinning, sharpening, and food release.

We have thermally stabilized the handle of this gyuto; a technique that is used in Japan by the name of yaki sugi or, more commonly, shou sugi ban. Yaki sugi is used to weather proof the wooden facades of buildings so that they may withstand the harsh monsoon seasons. Taking into account that this handle will come in contact with a lot of hot water and soap and fats and oils during its use, the yaki sugi will help manage water damage. We have also laser-engraved a saya with the image of a bamboo forest. The saya fits snugly around the blade, a friction fit, without being too tight and potentially splitting. Unless saya are made custom for Sanjo knives, it is always tough to find one that fits because of the dramatic distal taper.

• Knife Type: Gyuto
• Steel Type: White #2 Carbon
• Handle Type: Oval Ho Wood
• Construction Type: Carbon Clad
• Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous

• Handle Length: 140mm
• Handle Height: 27.27mm
• Handle Width: 22.00mm
• Handle to Tip Length: 260mm
• Heel to Tip Length: 245mm
• Width of Spine at Middle: 2.99mm
• Width of Spine 1cm from the Tip: 0.80mm
• Width of Spine at Handle: 4.15mm
• Width of Spine above Heel: 3.00mm
• Blade Thickness 1/2 way between the Spine and Edge: 1.61mm
• Blade Height at Heel: 52mm
• Weight: 198g

Tsukasa 150mm White Steel Migaki Wa-Petty

Tsukasa 150mm White Steel Enryu Kurouchi Damascus Wa-Petty with Semi-Octagon Pagoda Tree Wood Handle (Buffalo Horn Ferule and End-cap) and Ho Wood Saya

Enryu refers to the style of the jigane, which is hand-forged and then twisted.  This creates a seamless damascus pattern on all three dimensions of the knife.   Our wa-gyutos and wa-pettys from the Tsukasa brand are made in the warikomi-style, using Enryu damascus .  In a time when a lot of knife makers use pre-made sheets of damascus, Hinoura-san values hand-forging, which he believes allows for greater control over the quality and creative process. This knife is an excellent example of Hinoura-san's work as can be seen from the amazing fit and finish, awesome profile, great grind, and very nice heat treatment of the steel.

Tsukasa 210mm White Steel Migaki Wa-Gyuto

Tsukasa 240mm White Steel Migaki Wa-Gyuto

Tsukasa 240mm White Steel Enryu Kurouchi Damascus Wa-Gyuto with Semi-Octagon Pagoda Tree Wood Handle (Buffalo Horn Ferule and End-cap) and Ho Wood Saya 

Emryu refers to the style of the jigane, which is hand-forged and then twisted. This creates a seamless damascus pattern on all three dimensions of the knife.  Our wa-gyutos from the Tsukasa brand are made in the warikomi-style, using Enryu damascus.  In a time when a lot of knife makers use pre-made sheets of damascus, Hinoura-san values hand-forging, whiche he believes allows for greater control over the quality and creative process.

The knives are excellent examples of Hinoura-san's work as can be seen from the amazing fit and finish, awesome profile, great grind, and very nice heat treatment of the steel.

Tsukasa 270mm White Steel Unryu Kurouchi Damascus Wa-Gyuto with Semi-Octagon Pagoda Tree Wood Handle (Buffalo Horn Ferrule and End-cap) and Ho Wood Saya

Unryu refers to the style of the jigane, which is hand-forged and then twisted.  This creates a seamless damascus pattern on all three dimensions of the knife.   Our wa-gyutos from the Tsukasa brand are made in the warikomi-style, using Unryu damascus.  In a time when a lot of knife makers use pre-made sheets of damascus, Hinoura-san values hand-forging, which he believes allows for greater control over the quality and creative process.

The knives are excellent examples of Hinoura-san's work as can be seen from the amazing fit and finish, awesome profile, great grind, and very nice heat treatment of the steel.