Usuba (Vegetable Knife) / Suminagashi Damascus / 180mm

Product Description : Why is it so EXPENSIVE?

Product Story

General Product Information

This knife is specialized for cutting vegetables.
The edge of the blade is thin and straight, making it an ideal knife for sheet cutting technique! Iron and steel are alternately layered and hammered. The pattern is designed to look as if ink is flowing. The mouthpiece is made of buffalo horn, and the color of the material is the same as the original color, so the color of each knife is different from the others.

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：600 years ago / 1400AD / Muromachi period in Japan

The history of Sakai hammered knives dates back about 600 years, when blacksmiths made hoes and other tool when tools were needed for the construction of the Nintoku Emperor's Tomb, the largest burial mound in Japan. 16th century, when guns and tobacco were introduced from Portugal, tobacco knives were produced in large numbers to chop tobacco leaves. The technology that produced the sharpness of these knives was recognised by the Edo Shogunate, which allowed them to be sold with the mark 'Sakai-kiwame' (means ultimate quality). Nowadays, it has a 90% share of the domestic market and is highly regarded by many chefs.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

SakaiTohji / Sakai Uchihamono
Since 1805, the company has been manufacturing kitchen knives and other cooking utensils in Osaka for over 200 years. The company's representative products, kitchen knives, are loved by famous chefs not only in Japan but all over the world. It is no exaggeration to say that the design and sharpness of its knives are the best in the world. The professionals are in each process - forging, sharpening and finishing - produce meticulous products by adopting a division of labour system. A range of world-class Japanese cooking knives are available now!

Craftsman Passion

"Good cooking starts with a good knife".
People always eat in order to live. To eat, we cook. To cook, you need a knife. In producing products for people's daily meals, we are committed to creating products that are as comfortable to use as possible and that enable people to cook delicious food.

Achievement

Presentation of a kitchen knife at the wedding ceremony of Crown Princess Masako
Awarded the Medal with Yellow Ribbon
Produced knives for numerous TV dramas and films

 

Your Contribution to Craftsman

Customer Voice

Due to the market structure (link for full articles are attached bottom), craftsman have not known who the customer is and how customer reacts to their work. We made a “Message to Craftsman” box at purchase page. We will deliver all message to every craftsman. Our review will be also shared to craftsman so please leave your comment and evaluation on review section!

Income for Craftsman: Craftsman get only less than 10% of selling price?

As written above, craftsman have not controlled last phase of sales channel that resulting in selling price is set by third-party without craftsman’s recognition. There are some cases that only less than 10% of selling price is given to craftsman. We promise with our customer / craftsman that we offer the fair trade with craftsmen in our contract!

We made an article about above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from below link.
Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo

Measurement

Knife itself
Total length：32cm
Blade Length：18cm
Blade Width：5cm
Handle Length：14cm
Weight：194g

With box
Width：37cm
Depth：8cm
Height：2.5cm
Weight：294g

Material & Caution

Materials

White steel
Water buffalo
Magnolia

 

Caution

Individual Difference

Each piece is handmade, so there are individual differences even in the same series. We hope that you will understand the change by handmade.

Delivery Date

Please note that it will take about 7 days for delivery if we do not have the item in stock.

Manufacturing Process