- Description
- Specifications
- Knife Care
- Shipping
Hokiyama Kiritsuke Ginsanko 210mm (8.3") blade paired with our SharpEdge stabilized wood handles in grey/orange/emerald green/light brown.
Hokiyama Kiritsuke Ginsanko in 210mm (8.3") blade length is a multi-purpose Japanese knife, suitable for preparing fish and larger cuts of meat, as well as vegetables.
BLADE SHAPE:
Kiritsuke knives are double-bevel hybrids between the traditional Japanese knife yanagiba (slicer knife, mostly used for sushi) and the usuba (knife specialized to cut vegetables). This means kiritsuke knives can be used for all sorts of tasks in the kitchen, from making sashimi, slicing through ribeye, to chopping veggies. Traditionally, kiritsuke knives were only allowed to be used by the Executive Chef of the restaurant, but we'll look away if you're not (yet) the head chef 😜.
HANDLE:
We chose a universal, octagonal shape that comfortably fits the hands of both right- and left-hand users. It offers a firm grip for easy and comfortable use.
Handles are made of natural maple wood, which undergoes a special procedure of stabilization with resin. This ensures a long service life of the handle. During this process of stabilization, a color pigment is added which penetrates the wood in different ways, creating unique patterns. This makes every handle one-of-a-kind.
Color and patterns of handles may vary from what is seen in the pictures. If you like a particular color hue, please contact us before placing an order.
STEEL:
The heart of this knife is made of Hitachi's Silver III steel, also named Ginsan steel or Ginsanko, which was hardened to around 63 HRC. Due to its high content of Chromium (Cr), Ginsan steel will resist corrosion very well.
LAMINATION:
The core layer consisting of the harder Silver III steel was sandwiched between two layers of softer, more corrosion resistant steel. This technique, called san-mai, is used to protect the hard (but delicate) core from outside factors, such as rusting and physical impacts, which could lead to breakage.
GEOMETRY:
It has a double bevel (symmetrical) blade.
BLADE FINISH:
The blade's surface sports a beautiful hammered nashiji finish, resembling the skin of the Asian pear, which is then separated from the cutting edge by a smooth kasumi line. The nashiji finish also serves a practical purpose, preventing slices of food from sticking to the blade while cutting.
BLACKSMITH:
Hokiyama Hamono is a leading smithy in Kochi Prefecture in Japan. They have recently celebrated their 100-year anniversary, founded in 1919. Hokiyama Hamono is known for their quality as they follow the tradition of hand-made blades that has been around for over 800 years. They retain the handiwork and traditional craftsmanship that is passed down from generation to generation while striving for the ever-new knowledge and innovation. Despite the fact that they make knives according to the traditional methods, they follow the modern technological guidelines in the field of metallurgy, material processing and innovations in production processes. Hokiyama, in their own words, is a fusion of tradition (土佐 一), innovation (無限) and practicality (左近).
Blade shape: Kiritsuke
Steel type: Ginsan (Silver III)
Blade construction: San-mai / Nashiji
Hardness (HRC scale): 63
Overall length: 367mm (14.5")
Blade length: 210mm (8.3")
Blade height: 45mm (1.8")
Spine thickness: 2.0mm (0.08")
Weight: 185g (6.5 oz)
Handle length: 138mm (5.4")
Handle type / wood: Japanese / Stabilized maple
Kanji on the blade:
Blacksmith: Hokiyama
Location of the smithy: TOSA / Kōchi Prefecture / Japan
☝️ Japanese kitchen knives in our store are handmade from natural materials. Slight variations in color, texture, weight and other dimensions are possible. We try to give a good photographic representation of our products, however computer screen resolution and colors do vary, so products might not look exactly as they are seen on screen.
Blade wear depends on the quality of steel, usage and maintenance of the blade. Japanese knives are made of high-quality steels. Follow these tips to keep your Japanese knife in top-notch shape:
✔ Use a wooden, plastic or rubber cutting board.
✔ After use, wash the knives and wipe them dry.
✔ Use a magnetic rack, knife blocks, or use protective knife sheath (saya).
✔ A good cutting technique is your best bet to prolong sharpness.
✔ Use sharpening stones to sharpen the knife.
❗️Don’t leave the knife in the sink. Wash it by hand.
❗️Don’t wash the knife in the dishwasher.
❗️Don’t use the knife on glass, ceramics, marble or steel surfaces.
❗️Don’t scrape the food off the cutting board with the edge of the blade. Use the spine of the knife instead.
❗️Knife is a tool intended for specific use - cutting food. It is not a can opener, screwdriver, trowel, wire cutter, hammer etc.
→ For more details, read our guide
on Maintenance of Kitchen Knives.
🤙 Contact us if you need some help. We reply within 1 business day.
SHIPPING RATES:
- €10 - flat worldwide rate with DHL Express (express delivery, 2-5 business days).
- FREE - all orders over €300 (DHL Express).
EXCEPTIONS:
- United Kingdom - shipping to UK costs €15. All orders are shipped with UPS Express (2-3 business days). Free shipping on orders over €300.
- Russia (currently not available) - shipping to Russia costs €40. All orders are shipped with EMS postal service.
DUTIES AND IMPORT TAXES:
We ship all orders DDP (duties & taxes paid). This means you will not be charged for any import fees and taxes (including VAT). All our prices are final. The price you see at checkout is the final price, no hidden costs.
DELIVERY TIME:
- Europe: 1-2 business days
- US & Canada: 2-4 business days
- Rest of the World: 3-5 business days
RETURNS:
Our return policy lasts 30 days. If more than 30 days have gone by since the day you received your order, unfortunately we can’t offer you a refund or exchange.
→ Read our SHIPPING & RETURNS policy for more info. We strive to solve any issues fast and with as little hassle for you. If you have some additional questions, please contact us.
We paired this blade with our traditional custom-made maple burl handles
select your favorite
→ TOKYO NIGHT: The color of these handles varies from light to dark grey, with soft or deep hues of red and swirls of cream.
→ OKINAWA REEF: A soothing, emerald green color named Okinawa Reef. It feels like immersing your hand in shimmering coastal waters during summer.
→ KYOTO SUNSET: It feels like holding something smooth and warm in your hand – a glow in the sky at sunset or a burst of bright autumn color.
→ TOTTORI SAND: A sandy brown color named Tottori Sand. Inspired by the infinitely swirly Tottori sand dunes found in the western part of Japan.
→ NIKKO MOSS: These hues remind us of the ancient moss covering the stone walls of the old temples of Nikko.
If you like a particular color hue, please contact us before placing an order.
Each knife comes with:
✔️ Instructions and knife care leaflet.
✔️ A preventive Band-Aid – the knives are very sharp! 😉
✔️ Original box from the blacksmith, which we wrap in an old Japanese newspaper sheet – so every knife is ready to be passed on as a gift as soon as it hits your doorstep!
✔️ We also offer a special gift wrapping option with the traditional Japanese washi paper.
Quiz
Still doubting which type of Japanese knife should best fit your needs? We created a quick, 5-steps quiz to help you find the perfect knife based on your cooking skills and the type of food you prepare.
