During my 4th trip to Japan I gave each of the 13 blacksmiths I met a request. My request to Kanehide was to please make a wa-handled laser version of their very popular PS60 mono steel. This knife is a result of that request and we think it's going to dominate the market for a good, thin, wa handled knife at a lower price point. The quality is too good to resist. Hitachi makes this steel for the razor industry and has a dominant share of the market worldwide and is nearly identical to AEB-L. Kanehide was able to increase the hardness to HRC 60-61 through special heat treating and also increase the wear resistance by using a cryogenic treatment with liquid nitrogen at minus 180 degrees C. The sub-zero treating works to change retained austenite to martensite, as a result, it is effective not only to enhance the hardness but also the wear resistance.
Our Kiri saya does not fit this knife.
The result is a fully stainless knife that sharpens extremely well and cuts great. It features a nice octagonal handle with a burnt urushi finish.
Brand: Kanehide
Construction: Laser Cut, Mono Steel
Blade: Monosteel
HRC: 60-61
Edge: 50/50
Steel: PS60 Stainless
Weight: 5.3 oz 150 g)
Blade Length: 242 mm
Total Length: 395 mm
Spine Thickness at Base: 2.2 mm
Blade Height: 49.0 mm