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Shigeki Tanaka

Crafted in Miki City, Hyogo—Japan’s historic blade-making heartland—Shigeki Tanaka knives embody generations of blacksmithing expertise. Known for their exceptional sharpness and balance, these blades are forged using high-carbon steel (like Aogami #2) and traditional techniques, ensuring outstanding edge retention. The brand’s signature kurouchi (blacksmith’s finish) gives each knife a rustic, hand-forged look while protecting the blade.

Tanaka’s knives are favored by chefs and collectors for their precision, durability, and exceptional performance. Many feature elegant wa (Japanese-style) handles made from magnolia or ebony, along with his signature Bob loveless inspired coke-shaped western ironwood handle, designed for comfort and control. With a focus on pure craftsmanship over flashy aesthetics, Shigeki Tanaka delivers professional-grade blades that honor Hyogo’s samurai sword-making legacy.

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Forged in Miki City, Hyogo—the heart of Japan's blade-making tradition—Shigeki Tanaka knives represent generations of masterful blacksmithing. Each blade is handcrafted from premium high-carbon steels like Aogami #2, delivering exceptional sharpness and long-lasting edge retention. The distinctive kurouchi finish preserves the knife's rugged, hand-forged character while protecting the steel.

Renowned for their precision and balance, Tanaka's knives feature both traditional wa handles in magnolia or ebony and his signature Western-style ironwood handle—inspired by Bob Loveless's iconic "coke bottle" design—for superior grip and comfort. Favored by professional chefs and discerning collectors, these blades blend time-honored techniques with subtle modern refinements, staying true to Hyogo's samurai sword-making heritage. No flashy gimmicks—just flawless cutting performance and enduring craftsmanship.

(Handmade in Miki City, Hyogo—home to Japan's finest bladesmiths for centuries.)

Est. 1903

Knives by Shigeki Tanaka

Shigeki Tanaka KU Blue 2

Shigeki Tanaka KU Blue 2

Forget the polish – Shigeki Tanaka's Blue #2 line is where real cutting happens. This is one of Tanaka's long-standing signature series, beloved for ... Read more

Forget the polish – Shigeki Tanaka's Blue #2 line is where real cutting happens. This is one of Tanaka's long-standing signature series, beloved for getting the fundamentals brutally right: a perfect profile, true workhorse grind geometry, and outstanding cutting feel that powers through prep.Yeah, the finish is rustic. It's not a show pony. But that's the point. Tanaka pours his skill where it counts: masterfully heat-treating Blue #2 steel. This gives you serious edge retention combined with solid impact resistance – a blade built for the long haul.This is the definition of a workhorse grind: thicker spine, robust edge, built to take real impact and keep slicing. No delicate lasers here – just reliable, day-in, day-out performance.Heads up: It's carbon steel with iron cladding. That legendary toughness comes with responsibility – it wants to rust. Seriously, just keep it dry between tasks and after washing. It demands respect, but rewards you with incredible cutting power.If you want a knife that feels solid in hand, powers through ingredients, and prioritizes pure, durable performance over fancy finishes, this Tanaka Blue #2 is your true carbon workhorse. Pay for the grind, not the gloss – just remember the towel! Read less

Pros

Budget friendly
Excellent performance

Cons

Need extra care
Prone to rust

Sanmai - Soft Iron Clad Kurouchi

Shigeki Tanaka SG2 Damascus

Shigeki Tanaka SG2 Damascus

Tanaka’s SG2 Kurozome Damascus is the top end product offered at Tanaka Kazuyuki Hamono. This excellent design combines high performance geometry, beautiful ... Read more

Tanaka’s SG2 Kurozome Damascus is the top end product offered at Tanaka Kazuyuki Hamono. This excellent design combines high performance geometry, beautiful finish with Tanaka’s signature profile to create a highly functional yet good looking knife, and when it’s paired with the best handle in the industry crafted by Nishihara Sadao, it can easily be a top shelf item chased by collectors and enthusiasts.Tanaka’s knives have always been known for their tall heels, and this line is no exception. Gyuto usually has heel height of at least 50mm, even 150mm petty can get a measurement of 33mm at the heel. The tall heel translates into a broad blade, it is more stable when pushing through denser produce and requires a smaller range of motion when doing rocking chopping, additionally, like a chinese cleaver, the wide blade is very good in picking chopped food up and transferring it to another container.These SG2 are forged quite thin and finished in a gradual convex grind, a construction that is familiar to a lot of experienced knife nerds. Names like Shiro Kamo Takeshi Saji or Takamura would come across your mind when you pick up these knives, and it is not a surprise as Tanaka san did earn his skill in the Echizen region. This is a design that is well tested by time, based on a dazzling Damascus clad SG2 billet, an etching process turns layered steel into contrasting pattern, the additional friction created by this slightly rough finish is mitigated by an outstanding geometry, the convex in the blade is strong enough to push the sliced food off the surface and reduce friction but thin enough to cut into dense roots without excessive wedging. This knife is a good match with Kamo san’s Kurokumo or Takamura’s Uchigumo.The handle is something worth mentioning too. In some occasions, these blades will be fitted with a synthetic handle or a WA handle, but at KnS, most of Tanaka’s SG2 comes with ironwood western style handles fitted with mosaic pins. These handles mould into your hands with excellent geometry and smooth finish, the master behind these handles Nishihara Sadao have been the top maker in this craft for many years. He is at a semi-retirement stage at an age over 80, so any of these handles made by him would be increasingly harder to acquire. These accumulated experiences speak for themselves, as soon as you put a bit of force into your hand, the handle will automatically slide and lock into a perfect spot for a pinch grip. Desert Ironwood as the premium material for knife handles has great stability without stabilization process, and once they are polished properly, the revealed texture and colour can rarely be matched by any other timbers.Pretty knives like these usually don't come in a pretty price, and the Ironwood handle lineup we stock usually price at 4 digits, I think a petty that is close to a thousand AUD would make anyone take some considerations before making a final decision. Is it worth it? This is a question that I think you would need to ask yourself when thinking about these knives. Regardless of the price, this is still a line that has great functionality due to its choice of material, finish and sharpening. Read less

Pros

Excellent performance
Highly collectable
Great artistic

Cons

High budget
Etched damascus can be hard to maintain

Sanmai - Stainless Damascus Clad Etched

Tanaka B2 Stainless Clad Tsuchime

Tanaka B2 Stainless Clad Tsuchime

Shigeki Tanaka’s stainless-clad Blue #2 line gives you the soul of a carbon knife without the fuss. At its core lies Hitachi’s legendary Blue #2 steel – heat... Read more

Shigeki Tanaka’s stainless-clad Blue #2 line gives you the soul of a carbon knife without the fuss. At its core lies Hitachi’s legendary Blue #2 steel – heat-treated for a razor edge that lasts, paired with stainless cladding to resist stains and simplify care.The tsuchime (hammered) finish isn’t just for looks – it breaks surface tension so food releases effortlessly, while adding a rugged, artisanal vibe.Forged in Miki, Japan, Tanaka’s knives balance traditional craftsmanship and modern practicality. No fragile laser here – just a confident, midweight grind that handles professional use without babying.For those who want carbon steel performance with less maintenance, this is your knife: sharp, sturdy, and stripped of pretension. Read less

Pros

Budget friendly
Excellent performance
Thin behind the edge

Cons

Prone to rust

Sanmai - Stainless Clad Tsuchime

Tanaka G3 Damascus

Tanaka G3 Damascus

Shigeki Tanaka Ginsan Damascus: Carbon Soul, Zero Rust StressMeet Tanaka’s near-mythical Ginsan Damascus – the knife that gives you everything you love about... Read more

Shigeki Tanaka Ginsan Damascus: Carbon Soul, Zero Rust StressMeet Tanaka’s near-mythical Ginsan Damascus – the knife that gives you everything you love about his Blue #2 line, minus the rust anxiety. At its heart? Ginsan (Silver #3) steel – a stainless superstar that holds a carbon-like edge, stays stain-resistant, and sharpens like a dream.Forged with Tanaka’s signature workhorse grind, it powers through produce with excellent food release and smooth penetration. The rippling Damascus cladding isn’t just eye candy – it reduces drag and sticks nothing to the blade.Why chefs reach for it: → Same trusted Tanaka geometry as his Blue #2 legend → Flawless food release + glide-through cutting → Zero patina panic – just wash, dry, and cut → Arguably one of the top performers under $500For those craving carbon-steel performance without carbon-steel babysitting, this is your grail: Miki-crafted muscle, Damascus beauty, and stainless peace of mind. Read less

Pros

Budget friendly
Excellent performance
Great OOTB

Cons

Fit and finish can be improved

Sanmai - Stainless Damascus Clad Migaki

Tanaka Blue 2 Damascus Santoku 170mm Kurouchi Nashiji

Shigeki Tanaka KU Blue 2

Tanaka Blue 2 Damascus Santoku 170mm Kurouchi Nashiji

Tanaka Blue 2 Gyuto 270mm Kurouchi Black Chacate

Shigeki Tanaka KU Blue 2

Tanaka Blue 2 Gyuto 270mm Kurouchi Black Chacate

Tanaka Blue 2 Gyuto 240mm Kurouchi Black Chacate

Shigeki Tanaka KU Blue 2

Tanaka Blue 2 Gyuto 240mm Kurouchi Black Chacate

Tanaka Habakiri SG2 Damascus Sujihiki 240mm with Saya

Shigeki Tanaka SG2 Damascus

Tanaka Habakiri SG2 Damascus Sujihiki 240mm with Saya

Tanaka R2 Etched Black Damascus Gyuto 180mm Ironwood Handle

Shigeki Tanaka SG2 Damascus

Tanaka R2 Etched Black Damascus Gyuto 180mm Ironwood Handle

Tanaka R2 Black Damascus Ironwood Petty 150mm

Shigeki Tanaka SG2 Damascus

Tanaka R2 Black Damascus Ironwood Petty 150mm

Tanaka Habakiri SG2 Damascus Sujihiki 210mm

Shigeki Tanaka SG2 Damascus

Tanaka Habakiri SG2 Damascus Sujihiki 210mm

Tanaka R2 Etched Black Damascus Santoku 165mm Ironwood Handle

Shigeki Tanaka SG2 Damascus

Tanaka R2 Etched Black Damascus Santoku 165mm Ironwood Handle

Shigeki Tanaka SG2 Gyuto 210mm Ironwood Western Handle

Shigeki Tanaka SG2 Damascus

Shigeki Tanaka SG2 Gyuto 210mm Ironwood Western Handle

Tanaka R2 Black Damascus Ironwood Petty 135mm

Shigeki Tanaka SG2 Damascus

Tanaka R2 Black Damascus Ironwood Petty 135mm

Tanaka R2 Etched Black Damascus Nakiri 165mm Ironwood Handle

Shigeki Tanaka SG2 Damascus

Tanaka R2 Etched Black Damascus Nakiri 165mm Ironwood Handle

Tanaka R2 Damascus Gyuto 240mm with Ironwood Western Handle and K&S Wenge Saya

Shigeki Tanaka SG2 Damascus

Tanaka R2 Damascus Gyuto 240mm with Ironwood Western Handle and K&S Wenge Saya

Tanaka R2 Ironwood Sujihiki 210mm

Shigeki Tanaka SG2 Damascus

Tanaka R2 Ironwood Sujihiki 210mm

Tanaka Blue 2 Kurouchi Tsuchime Stainless Clad Petty 120mm

Tanaka B2 Stainless Clad Tsuchime

Tanaka Blue 2 Kurouchi Tsuchime Stainless Clad Petty 120mm

Tanaka Blue 2 Kurouchi Tsuchime Stainless Clad Bunka 165mm Howood Handle

Tanaka B2 Stainless Clad Tsuchime

Tanaka Blue 2 Kurouchi Tsuchime Stainless Clad Bunka 165mm Howood Handle

Tanaka Blue 2 Kurouchi Tsuchime Stainless Clad Bunka 165mm

Tanaka B2 Stainless Clad Tsuchime

Tanaka Blue 2 Kurouchi Tsuchime Stainless Clad Bunka 165mm

Tanaka Ginsan Damascus Gyuto 240mm Teak

Tanaka G3 Damascus

Tanaka Ginsan Damascus Gyuto 240mm Teak

St Peters

HQ

Unit 2, 2 Bishop St
St Peters, NSW 2044

(02) 8234 8818 sales@knivesandstones.com.au

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Crows Nest, NSW 2065

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