Nigara AS santoku 180mm EN

There is something that sets Nigara Hamono apart from other knifemaking families in Japan. First, it could be pointed out that it is the 350 years of history, starting with making swords for the Tsugaru clan in the early Edo period. The passing down of know-how and skills for eight generations has undoubtedly given Nigara knives their cultural DNA, but the long history is not unique to Nigara.

It could be said that having a legendary fifth-generation swordsmith – Japan’s national treasure, Mr. Kunitoshi Nigara (二唐國俊) – gives the family brand an elevated status. The best way to understand why Nigara stands out in the eyes of the current (8th) generation swordsmith – Mr. Tsuyoshi Yoshizawa (吉澤剛). As he stands in the workshop of the family business, with his younger brother and two young craftsmen, feeling inspired to create the most remarkable knives in the world.

The Nigara family has expanded since the days of sword forging – into construction steelworks, steel beam technologies, as well as restorations of historical metal structures. In a word, Nigara is the guru of steel.

Brand: Nigara Hamono
Blacksmith: Tsuyoshi Yoshizawa
Series: Tsuchime
Steel: Aogami Super
Hardness: 63-64 HRC
Type: santoku
Blade length: 16.8 cm
Heel height: 5.02 cm
Heel thickness: 2.1 mm
Tip thickness: 0.6 mm
Weight: 151 gr

Designed entirely by hand, the handle is made of stained and stabilized redwood burl with a black onyx stone spacer.

Nigara Hamono has many very identifiable knife lines. From the swirling pattern of the Anmon Kurozome to the highly sought after Troll Killers, this Aogami Super Migaki tsuchime line is no different. What makes this a solid choice of knife to purchase is that steel known as Aogami Super. Unmatched sharpness in cutting and ease of maintenance, not to mention easy to care for.