Hokiyama Kiritsuke Aogami Super Tosaichi 210mm is a multipurpose Japanese kitchen knife, suitable for home and professional use. This knife is a true all-rounder that can handle all kinds of meat, fish and vegetables.

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). They have a special place in the Japanese kitchen hierarchy: Japanese traditions only allow the head chef to wield this knife and would not be seen in the hands of a junior cook, but we'll look away if you're not (yet) the Executive Chef. 😅

This knife will impress all fans of Japanese blades who prefer a traditional Japanese knife shape in combination with the classic, western handle. For professional users and home cooks who know how to treat and maintain high-carbon knives!

BLADE SHAPE:

Kiritsuke blade shape is characterized by a long, flat blade with very little belly curve and a pointed, diamond shaped tip, also known as a “K-tip” (K for kiritsuke). The tip enables precise and effortless work and can be used for all sorts of tasks in the kitchen: slicing sashimi, cutting ribeye, chopping veggies, mincing garlic... Due to its straight edge, it has a limited rocking motion on the kitchen board. A great alternative to the Gyuto knife!

BLADE FINISH:

The upper part of the blade is black and was left untreated. This scaly residue remains on the blade after the process of heat-treatment of the steel and is called kuro-uchi. Kuro-uchi patina brings a unique and rustic appearance to the knife.

STEEL:

The centerpiece of the Tosa-Ichi knife series is Hitachi's Super Blue Steel (Aogami Super), which ranks at the very top of quality Japanese steels. Aogami Super steel is extremely rich in carbon content, which directly affects the blade's hardness. It also contains 0.4% vanadium which gives the steel more toughness.

Aogami Super is rated as the most advanced carbon steel on the market. High-carbon steels need more maintenance as they quickly develop a protective patina, and if not wiped and dried after every use, they will develop rust. But - Hokiyama made it a bit easier for us. The two outer layers of softer, SUS405 steel are rust-resistant, which offer more protection from rust, although the Aogami Super is still exposed at the very edge (the visible, curvy line on the bottom of the blade represents the line between core and outer steels).

This Hokiyama Kiritsuke Tosaichi was heat-treated to the hardness of around 63 HRC. It is extremely hard steel, meaning that it retains super fine sharpness for a long time despite its extensive usage. In addition, due to the high carbon content, the knife is very easy to sharpen.

HANDLE:

The knife was fitted a western-style (Yo) ergonomic handle made of durable laminated pakka wood, secured to the tang with three stainless rivets. The also stainless nickel-silver bolster gives the knife a gentle transition from the handle to the blade and provides a comfortable and firm grip during use.

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).

Each knife in the smithy goes through about 50 different processes that are performed and controlled by experienced craftsmen. Among the various steps required to make a Hokiyama knife is a special process called Rolling-Forging. It enables the efficient and uniform production of knives while maintaining the properties and qualities of Japanese steel.