Toki 150mm Stainless Clad Blue #2 Nashiji Azumagata

The Toki, or Crested Ibis, is an endangered species, once common in the Niigata area. Featuring white plumage on its body and a red head, the bird has been a part of Japanese folklore for generations. As this series is made in Sanjo, Niigata, the name Toki has significance. These knives are made by hand in a medium-sized workshop, focused on making user-friendly knives. Their knives tend to be a medium thickness, not super thin, but not like a super thick workhorse. The wide bevel designs work well for food release.  We love burnt chestnut handles, and because they also come from Sanjo, the series features octagonal burnt chestnut handles with water buffalo ferrules. 
"Azumagata" translates directly to "Eastern style," meaning, in this case, that it is a subtle variation on the nakiri originating from the Tokyo area, i.e. the East of Honshu. This series of Toki knives features a blue #2 (carbon steel) core with stainless cladding. The stainless cladding minimizes the exposed carbon steel core, making the knife a bit easier to care for than a knife made entirely from carbon steel. Carbon steel knives (clad with stainless or not) do require some additional care, making sure to keep them clean and dry when not in use, and wiping periodically when cutting acidic foods. We recommend Flitz to clean off any light rust (or patina, if you don't like it) as soon as you see it. Blue #2 steel is known for having solid edge retention and still being easy to sharpen.