Kuwahara Kaji Kobo・Ippon Petty Knife 135mm

Kuwahara san's kurouchi bannou-bocho is forged, shaped and sharpened in meditative fashion by the man himself, quenched in the natural mineral-laden well water of Kayaki-cho.

The carbon steel hagane core extends some 70% of the blade width. Plenty of room to whittle it back with sharpening over the next couple of decades and retain a keen edge. The beautifully rendered kurouchi finish is complemented by the rosewood handle - one of the most comfortable you'll find.

It's not just about the materials - it's about an attention to detail, method and tradition that delivers a kitchen knife of uncommon sharpness, user-focused form and forget-about-it edge retention; one that's comfortable in hand and a joy to use.

One more point of historical interest - the ㊉ mark on Kuwahara san's blades is the crest of the powerful Shimazu clan, feudal lords of the lands of Satsuma. Satsuma officials granted Kuwahara san's grandfather use of the crest on his blades, allowing it to be used in perpetuity as a mark of trust and excellence.