Tohji Kengata Shirogami #1 195mm (7.7″)

Tohji Kengata Shirogami #1 195mm is a multi-purpose Japanese kitchen knife, able to tackle any type of fresh—and cooked—produce, from vegetables to cuts of meat and fish. It’s a real minimalistic marvel fit for the contemporary Japanese knife purist. Adhering strictly to tradition, it’s forged out of Shirogami #1 steel and fitted with a magnolia wood handle. The kengata shape is a bit more unconventional, but it draws gracefully from the rich history of sword manufacturing in Japan – the name kengata literally meaning “sword-like”.

BLADE SHAPE:
The kengata (meaning “sword-like”) shape is similar to the bunka, whose fundamental attributes are instantly recognizable: reverse tanto tip for precision work, wider profile and a slightly shorter blade length. It departs from the usual form, though, with a blade that isn’t as flat, but instead curves slightly towards the tip. This way, the knife can be rocked back and forth on the cutting board, allowing for a different cutting technique that some might miss with a traditional bunka. It is still great for chopping, though, as it is for preparing all kinds of meat and raw fish.

STEEL:
Shirogami #1 is a very pure steel, and therefore one of the best in terms of sharpening. For the same reason, blades forged from Shirogami #1 steel will be able to achieve an insanely fine sharpness and retain it for a long time as well. They will, however, need a little extra care and maintenance owing to the fact that the steel isn’t corrosion resistant, and will develop a patina overtime.

Learn more about knife maintenance here.

LAMINATION:
San-mai is a lamination method that is achieved by pressing two outer layers of steel onto the blade’s core, made from Shirogami #1 steel. This kind of construction enables the outer steel layers to serve as protection for the very hard—and therefore brittle—core, improving the blade’s toughness.

GEOMETRY:
It has a double bevel (symmetrical) blade.

BLADE FINISH:
This knife sports a minimalistic migaki finish, meaning the blade has been polished and given a whetstone kasumi finish stretching from the shinogi line and over the kireha (cutting edge). The polished surface is adorned with a unique, hand chiseled kanji.

HANDLE:
The blade is fitted with an oval traditional Japanese (Wa) handle, made out of magnolia wood and finished off with a beautiful buffalo horn ferrule.