Yoshikazu Tanaka works in Sakai City forging knives for some of the top brands and resellers. He is particularly well known for his blue steel knives, his heat treatment, and his forging skills. His use of pine charcoal when quenching knives allows for a more gentle and slow heat treatment. He also works at a more leisurely pace with regard to daily output.
Our first batch of knives are kurouchi versions which are made from Blue #1 steel and have a soft iron jigane featuring a very smooth finish. The dark upper blade contrasts perfectly with the sand-blasted lower face along the shinogi. This is highlighted by a more intricate cladding line between the hagane and jigane compared to other makers, with more core steel exposed.
Tanaka-san has employed Blue Paper #1 carbon steel in the making of this blade and his screaming edges, fine grinds, and precise balance are a testament to this great steel and his masterful skills. He has hardened the steel to between 62-64 Rockwell and then applied a beautiful kurouchi finish. The smooth black forger’s scale finish aids in ease of maintenance while adding an aesthetic appeal that is hard to resist!
Blacksmith: Yoshikazu Tanaka
Sharpener: Tsuyoshi Yauchi
Location: Sakai, Japan
Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
Edge Steel: Blue #1
Cladding: Soft Iron
Finish: Kurouchi
Handle Type: Octagonal
Handle Wood: Rosewood
Hardness: 62-64 HRC
Weight: 6.2 oz (178 g)
Edge Length: 230 mm
Total Length: 379 mm
Spine Thickness at Base: 2.7 mm
Blade Height: 51.4 mm