Mitsuaki Takada-san has trained under Hiroshi Ashi-san for years before setting up his own sharpening house, Takada Hamono late 2019. Takada-san has a unique sense of beauty in his patterns and profiles but what sets his work apart from other blades is his consistent convex grind that imbues both strength and cutting ability in perfect balance; additionally, his style minimizes ingredient stiction to the blade. He is a jolly man full of smiles, and we are proud to support his new venture.

Hand forged White #2 carbon steel from Tanaka, these Takada no Hamono blades have a high hardness point and maintain a sharp edge exceptionally well. Compared to its cousin Blue #2, it is easier to sharpen and takes on a fine edge quicker. With its keen edge and convex geometry, these blades will smoothly cut through the toughest ingredients with ease. However, the edge is quite thin, thus we recommend users to cut with caution to avoid chipping. We recommend these blades to cooks with a gentle hand looking for a reliable carbon steel knife capable of handling nearly any task. 

Suiboku stands for “ink wash,” a style of painting originating in the Tang Dynasty of China using calligraphy-like brush strokes. The mirror polished edge combined with raw, dynamic lines from acid etching on the blade strikes a vivid comparison to the rivers and valleys portrayed in ancient East Asian paintings. Over time, a beautiful and subtle patina will develop on the blade.

Santoku is an all-purpose blade that is incredibly useful for tight spaces and it is the one that most home cooks should purchase first. Even folks who use paring knives for everything can quickly get used to this blade since it brings so much utility in a compact size.

Brand: Takada no Hamono
Blacksmith: Tanaka Blacksmith 田中刃物製作所
Producing Area: Sakai-Osaka/ Japan
Profile: Santoku
Size: 180mm
Steel: Yasuki White (Shirogami) #2, Soft Iron Clad
Handle: Ho Wood & Buffalo Horn Ferrule Octagonal
Total Length: 312mm
Edge Length: 168mm
Handle to Tip Length: 183mm
Blade Height: 45mm
Thickness: 2.4mm
Handle Length: 133mm
Weight: 119g
Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
Sharpener: Mitsuaki Takada