A renowned smith from Sakai-city, Kikuchiyo (a pseudonym) apprenticed for over two decades before taking over the master’s forge upon his retirement a few years ago. One of the most impressive traits of his working style is that he is not only fast in production but he is also one of the few remaining smiths in Sakai that can forge Honyaki blades, a technique of forging that yields knives with beautiful Hamon lines and exquisite hardness.

Manzo is the pseudonym for a sharpener hailing from Sakai, a city known for its prestigious sharpeners of single bevel knives. He was trained under the sole sharpener for a legendary bladesmith who produced some of the rarest and most illustrious Honyaki blades. Manzo’s consistent ura sharpening embodies the hallmark of what constitutes a great single bevel knife. His blades feel more heavy on the balance than, say, our Togashi Tachi line. 

White #3 is a high quality carbon steel that will take a very refined edge with less effort and time than other carbon steels (i.e. will take less than other carbon steels from the same smith and sharpener duo). It is also very reasonably priced for a carbon steel knife. Initiates and experienced users of carbon steel single bevel knives who prefer a heavier feeling knife in the hand need to look no further than the Kikuchiyo Manzo White #3.

An Usuba is a traditional Japanese single-sided blade that is designed mainly for rotary peeling (‘katsuramuki’ in Japanese) various vegetables. Once peeled into thin sheets, the vegetables can be cut into micro-julienne strips that can serve as a bed for the main ingredients of the dish, such as sashimi slices on a bed of daikon. We recommend an usuba for any professional cooks working in a Japanese style restaurant, looking to perfect the art of katsuramuki and preparing vegetable garnishes.

Brand: Hitohira ひとひら
Blacksmith: Kikuchiyo 菊千代
Producing Area: Sakai-Osaka/ Japan
Profile: Kamagata Usuba
Size: 180mm
Steel: Yasuki White (Shirogami) #3, Soft Iron Clad
Handle: Ho Wood & Buffalo Horn Ferrule Right-Handed D-Shape
Total Length: 320mm
Edge Length: 168mm
Handle to Tip Length: 183mm
Blade Height: 44mm
Thickness: 3.9mm
Handle Length: 134mm
Weight: 199g
Hand Orientation: Right-Handed
Sharpener: Manzo