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Nigara  |  SKU: NIGA_VGDATS_NA165

Nigara VG10 Damascus Tsuchime Nakiri 165mm

$229.00
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Detailed Specifications
Line Nigara VG10 Tsuchime Damascus
Profile Nakiri
Bevel Type Double Bevel
Weight 175 g        6.17 oz
Edge Length 150 mm   .5.91 inch
Heel Height 51 mm     .2.01 inch
Width @ Spine 2.0 mm     0.08 inch
Width @ Mid 2.0 mm     0.08 inch
Width @ 1cm from Tip 2.0 mm     0.08 inch
Steel VG10 | Stainless
Blade Construction Sanmai - Stainless Damascus Clad
Hardness (HRC) 59 - 61
Surface Finish Tsuchime
Handle Octagonal Black Chacate
Region Aomori
Best for
  • First-timers
  • Pro chefs
  • Enthusiasts
    • Free shipping for knives over AU$200 Australia wide.
    • World-wide shipping via DHL Express, 3 to 5 days.


    The VG10 Tsuchime Damascus line offers an appealing blend of affordability and aesthetics.

    The series introduces a unique hammered pattern (Tsuchime), adding an extra layer of visual allure. Renowned for their exceptional fit and finish, the VG10 series competes strongly as the top choice for an ultimate stainless steel knife in its price bracket. Featuring a forged VG-10 core steel hardened to 60-61hrc, VG10 offers a balanced stainless steel option ideal for a wide range of kitchen tasks.

    Pros Cons
  • Budget friendly
  • Excellent performance
  • Workhorse grind
  • Easy to look after
  • On the thicker side

  • Care Instruction
    1. Don't cut hard things! Japanese knives are brittle so bone hacking is a NO NO!
    2. Wash with netural detergent after use, and wipe dry;
    3. Please don't wash knife with dishwasher, it will damage the wood handle;
    4. Be careful not to leave the knife close to a heat source for a long time;
    5. It is a lot more dangerous to cut with a blunt knife than a sharp knife!
    6. It is best to sharpen a Japanese knife regularly on a waterstone.

    Nigara

    Based in the small yet beautiful city of Hirosaki in the northern prefecture of  Aomori, Nigara hamono has been making samurai swords for 350 yearas, with master Kunitoshi  (國俊) being one of the most famous sword smith in his generation. Now headed by the 8th generation mastersmith Tsuyoshi Yoshizawa (吉澤 剛) supported by his father Toshiju Yoshizawa (吉澤 俊寿), Nigara is becoming very popular thanks of its exquisite forging skills and second to none quality control. 

    • Profile: Nakiri

      The Nakiri knife is a distinctive tool in the Japanese kitchen, resembling a slender, shorter variant of a Chinese cleaver and serving as the household counterpart to the professional-grade Usuba. It is characterized by its relatively flat edge profile, designed specifically for a chopping motion ideal for vegetable preparation. Unlike knives intended for slicing or sawing motions, the Nakiri's design emphasizes straight, clean cuts through vegetables without the need for pushing or pulling. Its blade is notably thin, underscoring its specialization for tasks that do not involve contact with bones, even small ones. This specialization makes the Nakiri an indispensable tool for those seeking precision and ease in vegetable preparation.

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    • Steel: VG10

      Takefu VG10, is a high-end stainless steel celebrated for its exceptional edge retention and sharpness. It is a popular choice among Japanese kitchen knife makers and widely used in various types of knives, including kitchen knives, folders, and fixed blades.

      VG10 achieves a hardness of around 60-61 HRC, with some makers pushing it to 62 HRC, ensuring good edge holding and stain resistance. The steel's composition includes 15% chromium (Cr) for corrosion resistance, 1% molybdenum (Mo), and 1.5% cobalt (Co) for matrix strengthening, leading to high hardness and durability. The addition of vanadium (V) refines its microstructure and, along with Cr and Mo, produces hard carbides that enhance wear resistance. VG10 is easy to sharpen, has good machinability, and supports secondary hardening with high-temperature tempering, making it suitable for blades that may undergo surface coating treatments up to about 450℃. Its well-rounded attributes make VG10 steel highly versatile, performing excellently in a range of applications from kitchen and general-purpose knives to machine blades.

      Manufacturer:

      • Takefu Special Steel, Japan

      Nature: Stainless

      Hardness: 59- 61

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    • Construction: Sanmai - Stainless Damascus Clad

      Sanmai(Three-Piece) is a common construction for double bevel knives where two pieces of softer cladding steel are forgewelded to each side of a harder core steel. The harder but more brittle core steel will form the hard cutting edge after heat treating, and the softer cladding will support the core to increase the overall strength of the blade.

      Damascus Sanmai utilize damascus steel as the cladding material for the Sanmai construction, which adds aesthetic feature to the blade. On the Kitchen knives with stainless core steel, the damascus cladding will be stainless, this means they will also protect the carbon/semi-stainless core from rusting/discolouration.

      The soft cladding enables the thinning process to be a lot easier than a honyaki or monosteel construction. However, when the cladding is made of damascus, whether etched, polished or mirror polished, the thinning process will take a toll on the cladding, meaning the damascus won't look the same as when it was taken out of the box.

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    • Finish: Tsuchime

      The "Tsuchime" finish in Japanese kitchen knives refers to a distinctive hammered texture on the blade's surface. This traditional technique not only adds a unique aesthetic appeal but also provides practical benefits, such as reducing drag and preventing food from sticking to the blade during slicing. It's a hallmark of craftsmanship that blends functionality with artistry, making each knife not only a tool but a piece of art.

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    • Handle Specs

      Profile: Octagonal WA

      Material:

      • Black Chacate

      Black Chacate is a highly valued timber known for its deep, rich brown to almost black coloration, fine texture, and exceptional durability. It polishes well, offering an exquisite finish that highlights its subtle, elegant grain patterns. This wood is often used in fine woodworking projects, including luxury furniture, decorative items, and high-end knife handles.

      An octagonal wa handle made from Black Chacate wood would exhibit a sleek, geometric shape that fits comfortably in the hand, enhancing the user's grip and control. The deep hues and natural luster of Black Chacate add a touch of sophistication and unparalleled beauty to the handle, making it not only a functional component of a kitchen knife but also a piece of art. The durability and stability of Black Chacate ensure that the handle withstands the rigors of kitchen use while maintaining its aesthetic appeal over time.

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    Nigara

    Nigara VG10 Damascus Tsuchime Nakiri 165mm

    $229.00

    The new Nigara VG10 Damascus Tsuchime line. A well finished line with eased spine and choil, with virbant suminagashi pattern. 

    VG10 steel is a great mid-range special stainless cutlery steel that is easy to sharpen, with good impact resistance and edge retention. 

    =========

    Since being appointed by the domain of Tsugaru to make Japanese swords, Nigara Forging has a history of over 350 years.

    As one of the few noble swordsmiths in Japan, Nigara homono has continued to preserve this art. The making of swords has been abandoned as a business item since 1965, but the same forging techniques such as welding and hammering have been kept alive in the making of kitchen knives since then.

    Measurements 

      Measurements

    Weight 

    158 g 

    Total Length

    302 mm

    Tip to Heel Length

    160 mm

    Blade Height at Heel

    50 mm

    Width of Spine Above Heel 

    2.1 mm

    Width of Spine at Middle of Blade

    2.1 mm

    Width of Spine at about 1cm From the Tip

    2.1 mm 

    Steel

    VG10 Core with Stainless Clad

    Hardness

    HRC 60 to 61

    Handle Design

    K&S Octagonal Black Chacate

     

     

     

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