We are pleased to be able to bring you some great new knives from second-generation blacksmith, Yuzou Tani. Mr. Tani is a smith who works in Sakai, Japan. He was born in 1962, and has been blacksmithing for 35 years. The shop bearing his family name was established 50 years ago by his father.
We really like blacksmiths who do most of the work themselves and Tani-san not only makes all of his blades by hand, he laminates the steel too. In the case of this stunning
yanagiba, his steel of choice is the popular Shirogami 2 high carbon steel. This particular alloy is favored by many blacksmiths and knife users, especially in the making of traditional yanagibas. The inner core is hammer-forged ni-mai style with a soft iron cladding. The single bevel blade is finished to the highest standards and features a lovely transition at the primary grind between the cladding and the blade edge. All of the work is carried out by Tani-san himself.
The octagonal handle is made from magnolia wood with a buffalo horn ferrule. This is a very fine yanagiba that is entirely made by one man. Given the very affordable price, it represents an amazing opportunity to own a classic Japanese slicer made in the traditional way.
Blacksmith: Mr. Tani
Location: Sakai, Japan
Construction: Hammer Forged, Ni Mai
Edge Steel: White #2
Cladding: Soft Iron
Finish: Migaki (Means "Polished" in Japanese)
Edge Grind: Right-Sided Traditional Grind
Weight: 6.4 oz (182 g)
Edge Length: 266 mm
Total Length: 420 mm
Spine Thickness at Heel: 3.6 mm
Blade Height at Heel: 33.0 mm
Handle: Magnolia Octagonal
Ferrule: Buffalo Horn