A renowned smith from Sakai-city, Kikuchiyo (a pseudonym) apprenticed for over two decades before taking over the master’s forge upon his retirement a few years ago. One of the most impressive traits of his working style is that he is not only fast in production but he is also one of the few remaining smiths in Sakai that can forge Honyaki blades, a technique of forging that yields knives with beautiful Hamon lines and exquisite hardness.

Manzo is the pseudonym for a sharpener hailing from Sakai, a city known for its prestigious sharpeners of single bevel knives. He was trained under the sole sharpener for a legendary bladesmith who produced some of the rarest and most illustrious Honyaki blades. Manzo’s consistent ura sharpening embodies the hallmark of what constitutes a great single bevel knife. His blades feel more heavy on the balance than, say, our Togashi Tachi line. 

This blade is ideal for any cooks looking for a high performing single-bevel Yanagiba with a long-lasting edge that has an easy bevel to flatten. Manzo’s sharpening translates to ease of sharpening on the ura side for the customer, resulting in very little effort to maintain on sharpening stones. It is important to note that the thin uraoshi line demands patience and care when grinding to maintain an even width throughout the ura, a testament to Manzo’s skill. Those with experience in sharpening single-bevel knives who are looking to hone their fine-grit sharpening skills will find the Kikuchiyo Manzo Blue #2 to be a rewarding undertaking.

A Yanagiba is a traditional Japanese fish slicing blade that is single-sided (bevelled), often simply referred to as a “sushi knife.” These slicers may not be as versatile as its double-sided cousin, Sujihiki, but when it comes to pure slicing tasks of boneless protein (and not just fish), a well-sharpened Yanagiba is unmatched in performance. It is a great addition for any cooks working with sashimi and other delicate, raw seafoods.

Brand: Hitohira ひとひら
Blacksmith: Kikuchiyo 菊千代
Producing Area: Sakai-Osaka/ Japan
Profile: Yanagiba
Size: 300mm
Steel Type: Carbon Steel
Steel: Blue (Aogami) #2, Soft Iron Clad
Handle: Ebony & Buffalo Horn Ferrule Octagonal
Total Length: 454mm
Edge Length: 290mm
Handle to Tip Length: 304mm
Blade Height: 36mm
Thickness: 4.2mm
Handle Length: 144mm
Weight: 265g
Hand Orientation: Right Handed
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Sharpener: Manzo 万造