I got this knife in Kyoto back in 2023 while on my honeymoon. I don’t know much about it. I love it though! Any additional information would be appreciate. It’s my favorite knife in my collection.
The steel used to make the blade is ginsan which is a type of stainless steel. Blades made of this steel are typically hand or a combo of machine and hand forged. If I had to guess this is probably a 2 (ni mai) clad design if it is single bevel or 3 layer (San mai) design if it is double bevel- both basically mean the ginsan edge was mounted onto another type of steel. Ni mai and San mai are very common and still very high quality. As for ginsan steel, it is typically a harder type of steel so it’ll keep an edge long but will take more effort to sharpen. So sharpen early and often so you can avoid removing too much steel when you do. This also has a Damascus finish which is a nice touch. Also looks like a walnut handle but I could be wrong. I don’t know the maker though. Most likely came from producers found in Sakai.
phatlynx
銀三（ginsan） is a type of stainless steel that’s fairly high end. google image search the knife box and you should get more info.
gotdome
I have one from Kyoto that I got in 2024 with the exact same handle from Kanetaka Hamono.
5 Comments
you might have better luck in r/TrueChefKnives
Don’t eat that.
The steel used to make the blade is ginsan which is a type of stainless steel. Blades made of this steel are typically hand or a combo of machine and hand forged. If I had to guess this is probably a 2 (ni mai) clad design if it is single bevel or 3 layer (San mai) design if it is double bevel- both basically mean the ginsan edge was mounted onto another type of steel. Ni mai and San mai are very common and still very high quality.
As for ginsan steel, it is typically a harder type of steel so it’ll keep an edge long but will take more effort to sharpen. So sharpen early and often so you can avoid removing too much steel when you do. This also has a Damascus finish which is a nice touch. Also looks like a walnut handle but I could be wrong.
I don’t know the maker though. Most likely came from producers found in Sakai.
銀三（ginsan） is a type of stainless steel that’s fairly high end. google image search the knife box and you should get more info.
I have one from Kyoto that I got in 2024 with the exact same handle from Kanetaka Hamono.