Ikenami Hamono Bannou 130mm Shirogami #1

This is a very small bannou knife. There. We said it. No surprises.

But small can be a good thing. As a secondary knife for families this bannou-bocho is an excellent choice. Fruit. The odd tomato. Quick slices at the table, that sort of thing. At 130mm the blade is really too short to rely on for family meals. For couples, it depends.

But for older users, who often have very little strength in the wrist, a knife like this can be a godsend. It's light, for one, and the length is very easy to handle. Thanks to its extraordinary cutting ability very little effort is required. 

Carrots, fresh peppers, potatoes, chicken - chicken skin - daily ingredients that we take for granted can become hard work for the independent older person who wishes to continue cooking for themselves. A great little knife can make all the difference. This is a great little knife and one that anyone can sharpen.

The Japanese cherry handle is the same as is attached to the larger 15cm bannou. It's a comfortable size that combines well with the blade.

Tanegashima knives are known as 'tane-bocho' and they are highly regarded for their beauty, utility and craftsmanship. Tanegashima Island, where Ikenami Hamono is based, has a continuous history of steel-making and blade-craft that goes back to the 12th century. Tanegashima blades are forged very hard which can make their edge comparatively brittle, but cutting feel is sublime.