A sleek kiritsuke profile meets a mesmerising matte-satin blade face peppered with hand-hammered tsuchime dimples. The long, low tip sails through sashimi while the generous flat spot chops vegetables with authority. Thin 2.2mm spine tapers into a whisper-thin edge, and the octagonal bubinga handle with a buffalo horn ferrule balances the blade perfectly in hand.

Migaki Tsuchime by Nigara Hamono pairs centuries-old sword-smithing with modern metallurgy. Each blade is forged in Hirosaki from Aogami Super core steel, clad in stainless San Mai for everyday corrosion resistance. Heat-treated to 63–64 HRC, the ultra-fine grain structure holds a screaming edge through marathon prep sessions yet sharpens with ease. The hand-hammered tsuchime pattern traps air to reduce drag, while the migaki satin polish sheds moisture and food alike.

Nigara Hamono 二唐刃物 has crafted blades for over 350 years, evolving from samurai swords for the Tsugaru clan during the early Edo period to world-class kitchen knives today. Now in its eighth generation, the workshop's "insatiable spirit" drives continuous experimentation with state-of-the-art powder steels, ever-evolving Damascus patterns, and innovative heat treatments while preserving traditional Uchihamono forging techniques that have earned global acclaim among chefs and collectors.

Go Yoshizawa 吉澤 剛 and his brother Shu Yoshizawa 吉澤 周 spearhead Nigara's new era as the next generation of craftsmen. Go's forging mastery and Shu's precision sharpening bring flawless geometry, clean grinds, and daring Damascus and tsuchime patterns to every knife that bears the Nigara crest.

Kiritsuke 切付 combines the long, flat edge of a gyuto with the piercing tip of a yanagiba, creating a versatile hybrid knife. The sword-like k-tip excels at precision work and push-cutting, while the flat belly handles chopping and slicing with ease, making it a true all-rounder for chefs who want one knife to do it all.

San Mai 三枚 means "three layers" — a hard cutting core sandwiched between two softer outer layers. This traditional construction protects the delicate edge from shock while adding toughness and simplifying maintenance, so you can enjoy the performance of high-carbon steel worry-free.

Aogami Super (AS/S) 青紙スーパー (Super Blue Paper) takes the recipe for Aogami #1 or #2 and tweaks it to create something really special. With more carbon (1.4 – 1.5%) plus silicon (0.1 – 0.2%), manganese (0.2 – 0.3%), chromium (0.3 – 0.5%), tungsten (2 – 2.5%), and vanadium (0.3 – 0.5%), this Hitachi flagship gets harder and stays sharp longer. Extra chromium slows rusting while vanadium increases toughness and reduces chipping.