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YOSHIKANE HAMONO Shirogami No.2 Kurouchi Nakiri 165mm Keyaki Half-Round Handle
About engraving
If you wish to have your name engraved, we cannot accept requests for specific dates and times.
We will engrave the text as you enter it.
If you would like to translate in Japanese, please add an order note at the cart page.
Please read about engraving at the bottom of the page.
Product Features
YOSHIKANE HAMONO: Carrying on the Sanjo Blacksmithing Tradition
YOSHIKANE HAMONO is a knife maker founded in 1919 (Taisho 8) by its first-generation founder, Kinkichi Yoshida, in Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture.Today, the fourth-generation master, Kazuomi Yamamoto, preserves ancient Sanjo blacksmithing techniques, crafting each knife by hand while deeply respecting traditional methods. Another defining feature is that every step of the manufacturing process is carried out entirely in-house: from forging to sharpening and final finishing.
A traditional Japanese all-purpose knife
This traditional Japanese knife is also called a vegetable knife or nakiri. It features a long blade with an edge that runs parallel to the cutting board. Like the santoku, the primary cutting motion involves moving the knife straight up and down, but unlike the santoku, the blade has almost no curve. While it excels at cutting vegetables, it can also be used as a primary, all-purpose kitchen knife in place of a santoku or a chef's knife.
White #2 Steel with a Kurouchi Finish
The core is made from white carbon steel #2 (shirogami #2), known for its sharp cutting performance and ease of sharpening. The black color (kurouchi) on the surface is not dyed or coated; it is the natural oxide layer formed during the forging and heat-treatment process. This knife offers the sharpness and ease of sharpening characteristic of carbon steel knives, along with a distinctive, traditional appearance.
Four Key Features
In-House Integrated Production
Creating a single knife involves many meticulous steps by hand. While preserving traditional Sanjo blacksmithing techniques, Yoshikane Hamono handles every step in-house—from forging and shaping to heat treatment, finishing, engraving, and boxing. That is why each knife has its own unique character, creating a blade that feels right at home in your hand.
Smooth cutting feel (Blade edge & Hira geometry)
Tapering delicately toward the tip, the sharp blade offers precision reminiscent of a traditional single-bevel knife. Just above the shinogi line, the flat area (hira) features a subtle hollow ground (hi), an exquisite shape that ensures an effortless glide and smooth food release. Masterfully hand-straightened, the core remains rock-solid despite its thinness, giving you absolute confidence with every cut. The unique 'clean release' of Yoshikane Hamono knives is born from the accumulation of such meticulous craftsmanship.
Keyaki Handle
Keyaki is a traditional hardwood deeply rooted in Japanese daily life. It is used for tools that endure heavy stress, such as traditional Japanese taiko drums and rice-pounding mortars (usu). That is how durable, tough, and crack-resistant it is. The charm of Keyaki lies in its flexibility combined with hardness. As it is used over a long period, it grows comfortable in the hand, and its color and luster deepen. Because it combines both strength and beauty, it is a material well-suited for knife handles as well.
Semi-Round Handle Shape
The handle features an ergonomic semi-round shape designed to feel natural in your hand. The top of the handle keeps a squared edge for a firm palm grip, while the rounded bottom rests softly against your fingers for a comfortable fit. Although Keyaki is a tough hardwood, Kaneko Sogyo’s meticulous hand-finishing gives it a surprisingly warm, soft feel—a testament to their dedicated craftsmanship.
Craftsman
YOSHIKANE HAMONO
Kazutomi Yamamoto of Yoshikane Hamono deeply values traditional blacksmithing while actively embracing new methods. In Sanjo, it is standard practice for a blacksmith workshop to handle everything in-house, from forging to final sharpening. This integrated approach ensures that both blade precision and finish remain consistently exceptional. Yoshikane Hamono knives embody this powerful 'strength of integrated craftsmanship'.
KANEKO SOUGYOU
KANEKO SOUGYOU, based in Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture. After being machine-milled, the corners are carefully rounded and each handle is polished by hand. 'Because blades are made of metal and can feel sharp, I want to prioritize softness and comfort for the handle, since it is the part that directly touches the hand,' he explains. True to his word, the gentle feel the moment you touch it reflects his thoughtful craftsmanship.
Spec
Details
Specification
- Size
- Total Length 310mm ／ Blade length 165mm
- Weight
- 162g
*The weight of knives can slightly vary. - Knife bevel
- Double bevel
- Dominant hand
- Ambidextrous
- Manufacturing process
- Forged
- Blade structure
- Three-layer (San-mai) construction
- Blacksmith
- YOSHIKANE HAMONO
- Sharpener
- YOSHIKANE HAMONO
- Materials
- Blade material=Carbon steel(Shirogami No.2), Handle material=Zelkova wood
Precaution
- Carbon is susceptible to water and rusts very easily. Please wipe off any moisture with a cloth after each use during cooking.
- Please be sure to read the enclosed instruction manual before use.
About the product quality
- This knife has a very thin blade finish.
- Please be careful as the tip of the blade can chip easily if twisted while cutting.
- For hard ingredients like frozen foods or pumpkin, please soften them before cutting.
Engraving
A nice touch just for you.
Kamasa Shoten will inscribe your knives with your name.
- Please see below for the naming style of these knives.
- Delivery date and time cannot be specified.
- We will ship 1 week to 10 days after the order date.
- We will inscribe the text and language as you enter it.
- For written English, we recommend capital letters at the beginning.
- Engraving on blade(A or C)
Japanese and katakana / Alphabetical (written) notationWithin 10 / 20 characters or less -
FAQ
Yes, but for online orders, we offer a free engraving service for knives only. Please select the desired engraving option, enter text and add the knife to cart. Engraving for products other than knives is only available at our physical store at Kappabashi, Tokyo.
Most of the chipping can be repaired by re-sharpening the blade. We offer a fee-based knife sharpening service. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask us using the inquiry form. Blades can chip by cutting hard ingredients such as bones, seeds or frozen food, dropping and mishandling, or stabbing into hard cutting boards.
All knives we handle can be repaired with the exception of knives that are severely damaged. Repairing chipping and removing rust will restore sharpness and allow you to use your knives for a longer period of time. We also offer a fee-based knife sharpening service.
Please note we may not be able to repair knives with unknown blade materials, such as knives purchased at other stores.
Online store
Delivery preferences
ONLY available within JAPAN. For fastest shipping, please select "No specified date." If knife engraving is requested, delivery date cannot be specified. Shipment will be within 7–10 days from order.