Tinker

Sanmai - Stainless Clad Kurouchi Blue Super / Aogami Super / Carbon Fukuyama, Japan

Tinker is one of Takayuki Shibata's own brands at Iron Clad. His site describes it as a knife series that combines playful design and functionality, with outdoor-inspired knives suitable for any type of cooking, and says his chef friends helped him develop it.

Shibata's site lists the line-up as TANK, Saber teeth, Barracuda and Iron horse, and says the TANK began when a friend asked for a tough outdoor-style knife that can do all kinds of cooking.

The Tinker knives we list are sanmai blades clad in stainless steel, with a kurouchi finish: the Chibi Tank in 135 mm and 180 mm, and the Barracuda Teeth honesuki in 165 mm.

Pros

Excellent performance
Highly collectable
Great artistic
Great OOTB

Cons

High budget
Need extra care
Semi-stainless can rust

Best For

Enthusiasts
Collectors
Pro chefs

Construction

Sanmai - Stainless Clad

Surface Finish

Kurouchi

Steel

Blue Super / Aogami Super / Carbon

Origin

Fukuyama, Japan

Tinker Shibata Aogami Super Blue Super Kurouchi Iron Clad Limited Edition Hand Forged

Frequently asked questions

What is Shibata Tinker?

Tinker is a knife brand of cutler Takayuki Shibata, who owns and runs Shibata Knives. His site says his chef friends helped him develop it, combining playful design and functionality.

The site describes Tinker as outdoor-inspired knives suitable for any type of cooking, focusing on materials and shapes.

Published by K&S Education Desk; staff review pending