Kanehiro Uchi Hamono was founded by Mr. Kintaro Kato in 1928. The company is based in one of the four famed Japanese knife making meccas, Takefu Village in Echizen. The Kanehiro Company then moved into the hands of famed blacksmith Yoshimi Kato.
The Kanehiro AS
Gyuto 180mm is a fine knife made from one of our most popular steels,
Aogami Super. AS is a steel derived from Aogami 2, or Blue # 2, which has been augmented with the addition of more carbon, chromium, and tungsten. It is regarded as the best of the Hitachi paper carbon steels with regard to both edge retention and its ability to be sharpened to an acute angle. The core steel is then clad with soft stainless alloy. This lamination adds strength and protects the knife from reacting with acids or moisture. You still need to take care of the exposed edge and spine. The cladding is given a nashiji (pear skin) finish.
This is a knife for smaller hands, smaller cutting boards, or smaller spaces. But do not let the label throw you. This is a big performer capable of taking on almost every normal kitchen cutting task. The shorter and lighter size of this knife gives it a nimble quality that feels fast and dare we say it...more fun! Most vegetables or proteins can be processed with a blade this size. The knife is coupled to a traditional maple octagonal handle with a walnut wood ferrule.
Brand: Kanehiro
Blacksmith: Yoshimi Kato
Location: Echizen, Japan
Construction: Hammer Forged, San Mai
Edge Steel: Aogami Super
Cladding: Stainless Steel
Engraving: Laser Engraved
Handle: Keyaki Octagonal
Edge Grind: Even
Weight: 4.8 oz (136 g)
Edge Length: 187 mm
Total Length: 327 mm
Spine Thickness at Base: 3.4 mm
Blade Height: 44.9 mm