Nakagawa Hamono | SKU: NAKA_B1DA_SJ240-EB

Hatsukokoro x Satoshi Nakagawa Blue 1 Damascus Sujihiki 240mm

Name: Hatsukokoro x Satoshi Nakagawa Blue 1 Damascus Sujihiki 240mm
Brand: Nakagawa Hamono
SKU: NAKA_B1DA_SJ240-EB
Price: 599.95 AUD
Availability: OutOfStock

$599.95

IMPORTANT: Carbon steel knives can rust or patina quickly if not cared for properly. They require regular cleaning, drying, and oiling. If you are unfamiliar with carbon steel maintenance, we recommend choosing a stainless steel option instead.

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

Detailed Specifications

Line	Nakagawa Blue 1 Damascus Traditional Double Bevel
Profile	Sujihiki / Slicer
Bevel Type	Double Bevel
Weight	151 g \| 5.3 oz
Edge Length	231 mm \| 9 3/32″
Heel Height	34 mm \| 1 11/32″
Width @ Heel	2.5 mm \| 3/32″
Width @ Mid	1.8 mm \| 5/64″
Width @ 1cm from Tip	0.7 mm \| 1/32″
Steel	Blue 1 / Aogami #1 \| Carbon
Blade Construction	Sanami - Soft Iron Damascus Clad
Hardness (HRC)	61 - 64
Surface Finish	Migaki
Handle	Octagonal Ebony
Region	Sakai
Best for	Collectors Enthusiasts Pro chefs

Free shipping for knives over AU$200 Australia wide.
World-wide shipping via DHL Express, 3 to 5 days.

The Nakagawa Blue 1 Damascus line contains a series of traditionally finished Sakai style knives that is known for their solid performance, but the added Damascus cladding added a artistic twist to it, making them enjoyable to use just as how they are enjoyable to look.

Compare to the wide bevel finish, there are no distinct shinogi lines between the Hira and the primary bevel. The geometry transitions smoothly from the spine to the edge. In my opinion, this is a better way to enjoy the Damascus pattern, as they can flow along the blade without the interruption by the change in finishing pattern that is used to create the wide bevel look.

Performance of the knife on the chopping board is great, as the bevel takes a concave grind, it is of a good sharpness even the thickness of the spine is not as thin as some "laser" knives, though there is a slight tendency for the food to stick due to this grind. This combination allows the edge to be thin, while having more material behind the bevel to provide weight and rigidity for a solid feel.

The level of finish is phenomenal, which is a characteristic of high end Sakai knives. The spine and choil are both chamfered, making it hard to find a sharp corner on these knives, the higher level of polish on the spine brings out the shine of it, contrasting with the hazy blade surface, making the overall texture of the knife more complicated. Overall I say the arts and crafts level of these knives are superb, especially at their price range.

This is another masterpiece created by Satoshi Nakagawa, who got more than 20 years of experiences in forging under the training of the legendary bladesmith Kenichi Shiraki. For that reason, I would expect the Blue 1 steel he heat treats to hold edge very well. One concern that remains is, the damascus cladding is made of soft iron, thus making the entire blade prone to rust, there will be some attention and care required to maintain the beauty of these knives, and if you want the similar performance and shape without the hassle of the carbon steel, you can look at the Nakagawa Ginsan Wide Bevel line.

Pros	Cons
Excellent performance Great artistic Excellent fit and finish	Prone to rust High budget

Care Instruction

Don't cut hard things! Japanese knives are brittle so bone hacking is a NO NO!
Wash with neutral detergent after use, and wipe dry;
Please don't wash knife with dishwasher, it will damage the wood handle;
Be careful not to leave the knife close to a heat source for a long time;
It is a lot more dangerous to cut with a blunt knife than a sharp knife!
It is best to sharpen a Japanese knife regularly on a waterstone.
Oil the (carbon) knife if storing for an extended period of time to prevent rust.

Satoshi Nakagawa

Satoshi Nakagawa Hamono - Sakai's New Power House (Est. 2021)

Nakagawa Hamono, established by Satoshi Nakagawa (中川悟志) in April 2021, carries on the legacy of the renowned Shiraki Hamono under the guidance of Nakagawa-san, a dedicated disciple of the legendary craftsman Kenichi Shiraki. With nearly two decades of experience, primarily under Shiraki-san, Nakagawa-san has been instrumental in creating some of the finest honyaki blades in the last five years of Shiraki-san's work.

His expertise is not limited to Shiraki Hamono’s offerings but extends to forging top-tier knives for Sakai’s esteemed brands such as Sakai Takayuki, Kikumori to name a few. Based in Sakai City, Osaka, Nakagawa Hamono specializes in Ginsan and blue steel knives with wide bevels.

Satoshi Nakagawa Hamono was founded in April 2021 by Satoshi Nakagawa, a skilled craftsman from Sakai City, Osaka, who embarked on his journey into the world of knife-making at the tender age of 18. After high school, he was introduced to Kenichi Shiraki, a legendary master craftsman, and subsequently joined Shiraki Hamono. Under Shiraki-san's tutelage, Nakagawa-san honed his skills for nearly two decades, playing a pivotal role in the creation of many of Shiraki-san's renowned works, particularly in the latter years. His expertise extends to forging exclusive knives for prestigious Sakai retailers such as Sakai Kikumori and Sakai Jikko, showcasing his mastery across various top-tier lines.

Upon the retirement of Kenichi Shiraki, Nakagawa-san assumed leadership of Shiraki Hamono, now rebranded as Nakagawa Hamono. This transition marked the continuation of a storied legacy, with Nakagawa-san bringing his innovative vision to the fore. His current offerings are primarily forged from Ginsan steel, known for their distinctive wide bevels, with plans to expand the range to include diverse profiles and steels. Nakagawa-san's approach to knife-making is deeply rooted in tradition yet forward-looking, embracing new materials and trends while preserving the manual, labor-intensive processes that define the craftsmanship of his knives. His work on crest forging with blue steel No. 2 and No. 1 is a testament to his commitment to beauty and excellence, despite the challenges and heartbreaks encountered in the painstaking process of honyaki forging. Nakagawa Hamono stands as a beacon of traditional craftsmanship, blending timeless techniques with contemporary innovation, under the stewardship of one of Sakai's most promising craftsmen.

“Sakai's leading blacksmith of the new generation. ”

Est. 2021 | 令和3年

Known for single bevels, high production and great heat treatment on various hitachi steels.

Website nakagawa-knives.com Instagram @nakagawa_kajiya Read more about Satoshi Nakagawa

Profile

Sujihiki

Slicer

The Sujihiki, also known as Sujibiki, stands out as a Japanese slicing knife, characterized by a thinner and sharper edge than those found in Western kitchens. Its long blade is ideally crafted for the artful, thin carving of proteins and for slicing terrines and patés with finesse. Blade lengths span from 210mm to 300mm (8.3 to 12 inches), with 240mm and 270mm being particularly favored for their balanced cutting length and agility. When used for their intended purpose Sujihiki has a significant advantage: the slimmer blade will have less surface contact with the soft protein, and lead to reduced frictions during the cut compare to Gyuto as this type of food would "grip" the blade from pushing forward. In addition, the generally flat profile of Sujihiki is a perfect match for slicing tasks, when paired with a carbon steel core, they are some of the best tools for portioning large piece of meat, they can also act as the perfect melon cutter occationaly.

Compare with

Blue 1 / Aogami #1

—

1.5% 1.1% 0.8% 0.4% 0

1.3%

0.3%

1.5%

0.2%

0.1%

0.025%

0.004%

C — Carbon Cr — Chromium W — Tungsten Mn — Manganese Si — Silicon P — Phosphorus S — Sulfur

Hardness 61–64 HRC

555759616365+

Steel

Blue 1 / Aogami #1

Manufacturer
- Hitachi Special Steel, Japan
Nature Carbon
Hardness61–64 HRC

Blue Steel No.1, also known as Aogami #1 or Yasugi #1 Blue Steel, is a premium high carbon steel from Hitachi Metals Ltd, celebrated for its exceptional edge retention and toughness. This steel is an upgrade from Blue Steel No.2, enriched with higher carbon and tungsten content, making it a favorite for high-grade Japanese traditional single-bevel knives. It's known for being easy to sharpen, achieving a very fine edge that lasts. Despite its susceptibility to rust, with proper care and maintenance, including regular wiping and drying, it can develop a protective patina that minimizes rusting. Blue Steel No.1 is highly regarded among knife makers for its ability to achieve a mirror finish and maintain a sharp edge over extended periods, offering an outstanding balance of performance and durability.

Construction

Sanami - Soft Iron 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. However, the damascus cladding found on Japanese kitchen knives with carbon steel core are ususally made of soft iron, which means they too need to be maintained to stay pretty.

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.

Finish

Migaki

"Migaki" means "polished" or "shined" in Japanese, The term "Migaki finish" in the context of Japanese kitchen knives indeed does not exclusively refer to a mirror polish but encompasses a broader range of polished finishes that can vary from semi-gloss to a more refined, subtle sheen, rather than a highly reflective surface. The primary goal of a Migaki finish is to enhance the knife's functionality and aesthetic appeal, focusing on a smooth finish that improves resistance to corrosion and minimizes drag during cutting, rather than achieving a purely mirror-like appearance.

Handle

Handle Specs

Profile Octagonal WA
Material
- Ebony

This handle, crafted from a single piece of ebony, exemplifies minimalist elegance and functional design. Its unique octagonal shape, featuring a subtle taper, offers a comfortable grip and a visually appealing geometric profile. The ebony wood, known for its deep, rich color and durability, has been meticulously milled from a single block, ensuring a seamless construction that highlights the wood's natural beauty and grain. The handle's surface has been highly polished, achieving a glossy finish that not only enhances the ebony's luxurious dark hue but also provides a smooth, tactile experience for the user. This design choice reflects a minimalist approach, focusing on simplicity, quality, and usability. The combination of the octagonal shape with the taper adds a modern twist to the classic material, making it a standout piece that blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics.

Hatsukokoro x Satoshi Nakagawa Blue 1 Damascus Sujihiki 240mm

Detailed Specifications