Mizu Honyaki | Saya

A honyaki with a 30 cm blade and matching saya. The model is called a Sakimaru Takobiki and is a single-bevel knife made from one layer of differentially hardened steel. A luxury product!

This is a very special product from master Kenji Togashi. This knife is made in extremely small quantities and truly is top of the line. An important aspect of a Yanagiba's quality is how flat its ura sits against the surface. It is very rare for a knife to be completely flat, which this one actually is. It is a very impressive knife: a piece of craftsmanship intended for an enthusiast. Honyaki means that it has one layer of steel that has been differentially heat-treated so the blade retains some flexibility despite its hardness. Honyaki is the highest form of forging (hon means true in Japanese and yaki means heat treatment).

The handle is made of ebony with a buffalo-horn bolster.

Forged by Mr. Kenji Togashi of Sakai.

Ground by Mr. Hirotsugu Tosa, Sakai.

Grind: Single bevel (kataba) for right-handed use.

Blade height: 40 mm | Weight: 313 grams

Cutting edge length: 283 mm from tip to heel

Steel: Shirogami #2 | Water-hardened | Mizu-honyaki

Finish: Polished mirror finish with a visible hamon (hardening line)

Handle: Ebony with double Corian bolsters and double spacers.