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Nigara Hamono  |  SKU: NIGA_VGDATS_GY240BC

Nigara VG10 Damascus Tsuchime Gyuto 240mm Black Chacate

$246.98 $289.95

Add a saya or K&S Knife Roll to receive $20 bundle discount!

Detailed Specifications
Line Nigara VG10 Tsuchime Damascus
Profile Gyuto / Chefs Knife
Bevel Type Double Bevel
Weight 203 g | 7.2 oz
Edge Length 233 mm | 9 11/64″
Heel Height 54 mm | 2 1/8″
Width @ Spine 2.2 mm | 3/32″
Width @ Mid 2.1 mm | 5/64″
Width @ 1cm from Tip 1.1 mm | 3/64″
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
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    • 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
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  • On the thicker side
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    Care Instruction
    1. Don't cut hard things! Japanese knives are brittle so bone hacking is a NO NO!
    2. Wash with neutral 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: Gyuto

      Chefs Knife

      A Japanese chef's knife is known as a gyuto (牛刀 ぎゅうとう） gyūtō?), literally meaning 'beef knife'. Its blade resembles a flatter version of a French chef's knife. Japanese cutlery is known for sharpness due to its acute blade geometry, and the hardness of the steel used, sometimes exceeding 60 HRC on the Rockwell Scale A typical western chef's knife may be sharpened to an edge angle of 20-22°, while a Japanese gyuto generally has a sharper edge angle of 15-18° (or even lower), which requires a harder, more brittle grade of steel. In recent years Japanese gyuto have gained in popularity with western chefs.

      A modern chef's knife is a multi-purpose knife designed to perform well at many differing kitchen tasks, rather than excelling at any one in particular. It can be used for mincing, slicing, and chopping vegetables, slicing meat, and disjointing large cuts.

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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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