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Nakagawa Hamono  |  SKU: NAKA_G3KA_SA170

Nakagawa Ginsan Wide-bevel Santoku 170mm

Regular price $479.95

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Hatsukokoro By Nakagawa Ginsan Wide Bevel Migaki
Santoku
Double Bevel
Weight 162 g | 5.7 oz
Edge Length 168 mm | 6 39/64″
Heel Height 46 mm | 1 13/16″
Width @ Heel 3.0 mm | 1/8″
Width @ Mid 2.3 mm | 3/32″
Width @ 1cm from Tip 1.0 mm | 3/64″
Steel Ginsan / Silver #3 | Stainless
Blade Construction Sanmai - Stainless Clad
Hardness (HRC) 60 - 62
Surface Finish Migaki
Handle Octagonal Ebony
Region Sakai
Best for
  • Pro chefs
  • Students
  • First-timers
  • Free shipping for knives over AU$200 Australia wide.
  • World-wide shipping via DHL Express, 3 to 5 days.


The Nakagawa Ginsan Wide Bevel is a line commissioned by Hatsukokoro that offers a series of very solid blades that are good for both professional works and home use. This line combines moderate thickness, decent profile and good detail finish in a completely stainless package, making these knives good all-rounders in most situations, wether at home or in a more professional setting.

The wide bevel in the name refers to the grind that these blades takes on. Usually Japanese double bevel knives will have a flat grind, where the secondary bevel starts all the way at the spine, in cases where the secondary bevels start halfway, they tend to blends into the flat zone slightly. This line however, have a very distinct boundary at the begining of its secondary bevel,creating a very sharp and geometrycall look, especially on the Kiritsuke Gyuto, which distinct the entire line from other plain Migaki finish knives.

Performance of the kinfe 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 toughtness in a professional setting.

The Ginsan steel used in this line is what makes these knives truly all-rounders in my opinion. Comparing with VG10, two steels have similar hardness and edge retention, but the higher alloy content in VG10(Mo,V and Co) makes the sharpening harder than a more "pure" composition like Ginsan's. Thus, in a commercial kitchen where the wearing and sharpening of knives happens more often, the Ginsan will often save time and efforts.

A drawback comes with Ginsan is that knives made with it tend to have a higher price, which is true on this line. Also, even the rounding and polishing on the spine and choil are all pretty good, the Migaki finish is not the aesthetically pleasing one in this price range. If these minor concerns don't bother you, this Ginsan wide bevel line will offer s me very good user's knives.

Pros Cons
  • Easy to look after
  • Ideal for the household
  • Great for professionals
  • High budget
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.

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.

Read more

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
Satoshi Nakagawa — Sakai
Profile: Santoku
Profile

Santoku

The Santoku knife, embodying the meaning "three uses," is a cornerstone in Japanese kitchens, adept at slicing, dicing, and mincing. Esteemed for its versatility, it features a blade length typically between 15cm and 20cm (6 to 8 inches), catering to a wide array of culinary tasks. Distinguished by its less pointy tip compared to the Gyuto, the Santoku boasts a unique profile that contributes to its functionality and popularity. Its design is tailored to provide ease and efficiency in preparation, also because of its less aggressive prrofile, making it a preferred choice for home cooks.
Composition

Ginsan / Silver #3 Element Composition

Compare with
    Ginsan / Silver #3
    13.0% 9.8% 6.5% 3.3% 0
    C Carbon 1.0%
    Primary hardening element. Raises hardness and wear resistance — but too much increases brittleness and corrosion susceptibility. As a reference: German 1.4112 (~0.5%) sits at the low end; VG-10 (~1.0%) is a common mid-range; SG2 (1.25–1.45%) and ZDP-189 (~3.0%) represent high and extreme ends respectively.
    C
    1.0%
    Cr Chromium 13.0%
    Raises corrosion resistance; 13%+ qualifies steel as stainless. Also improves hardenability and wear resistance. In kitchen use, higher chromium levels contribute to a slight drag or sticking sensation when cutting — a trade-off for the rust resistance it provides.
    Cr
    13.0%
    Mn Manganese 0.7%
    Aids hardenability and strength. Acts as a deoxidiser during smelting. Excess can reduce toughness.
    Mn
    0.7%
    Si Silicon 0.35%
    Strengthens the steel matrix and acts as a deoxidiser. Improves hardness and resistance to oxidation.
    Si
    0.35%
    P Phosphorus 0.03%
    Impurity from the smelting process. Even small amounts cause brittleness — steelmakers keep this as low as possible.
    P
    0.03%
    S Sulfur 0.02%
    Impurity that reduces toughness and promotes brittleness. Intentionally added only in free-machining steels.
    S
    0.02%
    C — Carbon Cr — Chromium Mn — Manganese Si — Silicon P — Phosphorus S — Sulfur
    Hardness 60–62 HRC
    555759616365+
    Steel
    Ginsan / Silver #3
    Category
    Stainless
    Manufacturer
    Hitachi Special Steel, Japan 🇯🇵
    Hardness
    60–62 HRC
    Steel

    Ginsan / Silver #3

    • Manufacturer
      • Hitachi Special Steel, Japan
    • Nature Stainless
    • Hardness60–62 HRC
    Ginsan steel, also known as Silver 3 or G3 steel, is a type of stainless steel used in high-quality kitchen knives. It is appreciated for its ability to offer the traditional feel and sharpness of carbon steel while providing the corrosion resistance of stainless steel. Ginsan steel contains a moderate amount of carbon, chromium, and other alloying elements that ensure a good balance between edge retention and ease of sharpening. This steel is particularly favored for its fine grain structure, which allows for a very sharp edge, and its resistance to rust makes it a popular choice among professional chefs and home cooks who seek the performance of carbon steel without the maintenance challenges. Ginsan steel knives are known for their durability, ease of care, and excellent cutting performance, making them a preferred option for those looking for high-quality stainless steel cutlery.
    Construction: Sanmai - Stainless Clad
    Construction

    Sanmai - Stainless 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.

    The soft cladding enables the thinning process to be a lot easier than a honyaki or monosteel construction. And in the case where the cladding steel are stainless in nature, it can offer protection for the carbon or semi-stainless cores against rusting and discoluoring.

    Finish: Migaki
    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

    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.

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