Nigara Santoku Aogami Super Migaki Tsuchime 180mm (7.1″)

Looking for a knife that will impress you both in functionality and looks? Look no further. The knives of the Nigara AS Migaki Tsuchime line are more than impressive.

The look and feel of these knives will leave no one indifferent. The transition from the unique wave-like tsuchime hammered pattern into the matte shinogi line is dotted with tiny spots reminiscent of snow. They match beautifully with the silver hair line finish, which runs along the length of the blade just above the cutting edge, marking the separation between the softer and the harder, core steel.

The blade is fitted with a dark ebony Japanese handle, made from a single piece of smooth wood that feels polished to the touch and offers an unparalleled tactile experience with every cut.

The Nigara Santoku AS Migaki Tsuchime 180mm (7.1″) is a multi-purpose Japanese kitchen knife, suitable for preparing meat, fish, and vegetables. Its AS high carbon steel core is incredibly hard and tough, retains super fine sharpness for a long time and is easy to resharpen.

BLADE SHAPE:
The santoku knife, originating from Japan, is a versatile and multipurpose kitchen knife commonly found in Japanese households. It excels at various cutting and chopping tasks on the cutting board.

The name “santoku” derives from the Japanese word “San,” meaning “three,” representing the knife’s three virtues. It effortlessly handles all three key ingredients: meat, fish, and vegetables. It is equally adept at slicing, chopping, and mincing, making it a versatile companion in the kitchen.

The santoku knife is divided into three distinct parts: the tip, which is designed for intricate work, allowing for precise cuts, the cutting edge, which serves general cutting purposes and accommodates a range of tasks, and the heel of the knife, which is perfect for heavy-duty chopping.

With its rich heritage and versatile design, the santoku knife is an indispensable tool for any kitchen, be it home or professional, and caters to a wide range of cutting needs.

*The length of the cutting edge is 165mm (heel to point), but with this knife the length is measured from the edge of the handle to the tip of the blade, amounting to 180mm.

STEEL:
The centerpiece of this knife series is Hitachi’s Super Blue Steel (Aogami Super), which ranks at the very top of quality Japanese steels. Aogami Super steel is extremely rich in carbon, which directly affects the blade’s hardness. It also contains 0.4% vanadium which gives the steel more toughness.

Aogami Super is rated as the most advanced carbon steel on the market. High-carbon steels need more maintenance as they quickly develop a protective patina, and if not wiped and dried after every use, they will develop rust. But Nigara made it a bit easier for us. The two outer layers of softer steel are rust-resistant, which offers additional protection from rust, although the Aogami Super is still exposed at the very edge (the visible, curvy line on the bottom of the blade represents the line between core and outer steels).

This knife was heat-treated to the hardness of around 63 HRC. It is extremely hard steel, meaning that it retains super fine sharpness for a long time despite its extensive usage. In addition, due to the high carbon content, the knife is very easy to resharpen.

LAMINATION:
The core layer consisting of AS steel is sandwiched between layers of softer, stainless steel in a technique called san-mai – it is used to improve the blade’s structural integrity and subsequent ability to withstand impacts and to prevent chipping. San-mai translates to “three layers” in Japanese, referring to a blade that is composed of a primary, inner layer of harder steel (hagane) and two secondary, outer layers of softer steel (jigane) that protect the prior.

GEOMETRY:
It has a double bevel (symmetrical) blade, so it is suitable for both left- and right-handed users. Based on the ratio between the surfaces (the location of the angle change), this knife’s profile is classified as a flat V-edge type, which makes it less brittle and easier to resharpen.

BLADE FINISH:
The transition from the unique wave-like tsuchime hammered pattern into the matte kasumi shinogi line is dotted with tiny spots reminiscent of snow. They match beautifully with the silver hair line finish and the glossy cutting edge. The surface of the blade was treated with a special textured hammer, leaving complex geometric impressions on its upper part. It is a stunning technique that involves skillfully hammering the blade’s surface to create captivating indentations, which—aside from the purely aesthetic—also has a distinct practical function of reducing friction and creating air pockets that diminish the sticking of food to the blade during cutting.

HANDLE:
The Japanese handle (Wa) is made from a single piece of luxurious rich dark ebony wood, renowned for its exceptional hardness and density, which makes it one of the most durable and resistant woods. It is polished to a high gloss, creating a luxurious and elegant appearance and smooth feel that fits into the hand seamlessly. With its octagonal shape, it is suitable for both left and right-handed users. Recently the number of manufacturers of such handles has decreased, making them difficult to find.

BLACKSMITH:
Nigara Hamono is a historic smithy with a 350-year tradition. It has been active in the city of Hirosaki since the early Edo Period, when it started making swords for the Tsugaru clan. With over a hundred forging shops in the region during that era, Nigara Forging stands as a testament to Tsugaru Uchihamono’s rich history and artistry.

For more than 350 years, Nigara Hamono has been a distinguished family of swordsmiths. Initially appointed by the region of Tsugaru to craft Japanese swords, the smithy transitioned to knife-making after the traditional swordsmithing techniques gained recognition during World War II.

While sword production ceased in 1965, Nigara Hamono continues to preserve traditional forging techniques, showcasing its artistry through Honuchi knives – authentic Japanese knives made with traditional methods, which exemplify the skill and experience accumulated throughout numerous generations of blacksmiths.

With their crafted items being officially certified as Aomori Prefecture Traditional Crafts in December, 2007, Nigara Hamono stands as a living testament to the enduring traditional craftsmanship rooted in the town of Hirosaki, Japan.

The current head blacksmith of Nigara Hamono, Tsuyoshi Yoshizawa, who works alongside his father Toshi Yoshizawa, is an eighth-generation blacksmith with a passion for knives, art, and music. His famous Nigara Anmon design is the result of his love of Andy Warhol’s artwork.