Kuwahara Kaji Kobo・Nagasaki Gunkanjima Hakata-bocho 180mm

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

The hagane core extends some 70% of the blade width. Plenty of room to whittle it back over the next couple of decades and maintain a keen edge. The beautifully rendered kurouchi finish is complemented by the rosewood handle - one of the most comfortable you'll find - which happens to be unique to Kuwahara san's knives. The (patented) handle is constructed of three woods -  polished rosewood outer, hounoki (magnolia) core and eco-friendly pakkawood ferrule. Kuwahara san is ahead of his time - horn ferrules are to be phased out in coming years. 

It's important to note that 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. 

Short history lesson! The township of Kayaki-cho has a long association with the nearby island of Hashima, also widely known as Gunkanjima. They shared the local stage in Japan's Meiji-era industrial development and knife makers in the area long utilized the high-grade coking coal extracted from Mitsubishi's undersea Hashima mine. It's an appropriate marketing association, hence 'Nagasaki Gunkanjima Hakata-bocho'.

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.