Yanagiba Montanren
Yanagiba with a 233 mm Long Blade (measured from tip to heel)
Blacksmith: Satoshi Nakagawa
Sharpener: Morihiro San
Steel: Aogami #1
Cladding: Iron damascus clad (not stainless)
Weight: 194 grams
Blade Length: 233 mm
Blade Height at heel: 31.5 mm
Blade Thickness at spine base: 3.5 mm
Blade Thickness mid-spine: 2.6 mm
Handle: Octagonal, made of ebony wood.
A single-beveled yanagiba with a montanren pattern. This means that the core steel is shaped into a wave pattern before being layered with the damascus clad. It provides a spectacular appearance resembling waves on the sea on the ura, a craft performed only by the most distinguished blacksmiths from Sakai. These knives are true masterpieces, ranking in the top tier of single-beveled knives.
Satoshi Nakagawa is undoubtedly one of the more skilled blacksmiths in Sakai, Japan. After working for 16 years as a blacksmith at Shiraki, Nakagawa became independent, deciding on his own designs and production methods. He forges his blades using classic Japanese forging techniques, ensuring the blade maintains the highest possible quality. The knife has a comfortable weight and fits seamlessly in the hand. The edge itself is very thin, making the knife cut exceptionally well.