Hitohira Kikuchiyo Rikichi Kurouchi Silver # 3 Gyuto 210mm Cherry wood
Brand: Hitohira ひ と ひ ら (一片)
Blacksmith: Kikuchiyo 菊 千代
Region: Sakai-Osaka
Profile: Gyuto
Type of steel: Stainless
Steel: Yasuki Silver # 3 (Ginsan)
Handle: Cherry Wood and Ebony Ring
Blade length: 210mm
Finish: Kurouchi
Angle: Ambidextrous
Grinder: Rikichi
This knife includes a custom saya.
Technical detail
Kikuchiyo:
In the early 2000s, Kikuchiyo was invited by the master craftsman from Sakai to join them as a blacksmith. The art of blacksmithing is physical, the harsh working environment of fire and iron weighs heavily on the body, and many of the masters' abilities begin to fade in their forties and fifties. As Kikuchiyo started earlier in life, he acquired most of the knowledge and skills of fine forging and tempering, before his physical abilities deteriorated.
Kikuchiyo has proactively experimented with new steels that are generally not used by the Sakai blacksmith, steels such as stainless steel. His experience and skills have made his Ginsan knives (Silver 3) popular with Japanese chefs, with many saying "If you use Kikuchiyo Ginsan once, you will never replace it". Kikuchiyo is also known for its fine Honyaki temper, its beautiful Hamon and the hardness only achievable by experienced masters who reach the right temperature. His Honyaki is supported by many Sakai sharpeners and finishers, professionals who know what makes a good kitchen knife. When Kikuchiyo became a blacksmith, he dreamed of succeeding and becoming a great man. He continues to develop his skills as a craftsman, modeling each of his knives on the image of his master's forge.