Moritaka Hamono has been crafting swords since the 13th century and has been making kitchen cutlery for five generations. The longevity of the brand is a testament to the quality of their knives, the tradition of which is tangible the instant you pick one up. Moritaka’s Supreme series offers handcrafted knives containing a core of
Aogami Super steel forged with a soft iron cladding and a beautiful kurouchi finish. Kurouchi not only provides a very singular aesthetic to these blades, but protects the cladding from corrosion and rusting.
Moritaka knives feel at once both substantial yet nimble in the hand and are crafted with a compound/convex grind that does a remarkable job separating ingredients. The highlight of this series of hand-forged knives is the core steel. Taken up to 65 HRC, the Aogami Super in these blades is a thing of beauty. Able to handle incredible levels of refinement and steep edges, the steel just feels downright sexy. Edge retention is superb and durability is very high. To own this 240mm
gyuto is to participate in a centuries-old tradition of Japanese blade-craft at its finest.
The blade is paired with a lovely custom octagonal handle made with 4,000-year-old Bog Oak.
Blacksmith: Moritaka Hamono
Location: Yatsushiro, Japan
Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
Edge Steel: Aogami Super Steel
Cladding: Soft Iron
Tang: Stainless Steel
Edge Grind: Even (See Choil Photo)
Finish: Kurouchi
Handle: Octagonal 4,000 Year Bog Oak
Ferrule: Blackwood
Spacer: G10
Weight: 5.7 oz (160 g)
Edge Length: 242 mm
Total Length: 395 mm
Spine Thickness at Heel: 3.1 mm
Blade Height at Heel: 48.5 mm
Edge Hardness: 65 HRC