Togashi’s smith and sharpener are the duo of Kenji and Kenya, whose selective process of finding suppliers is a testament to their pride and skill. Kenji Togashi-san is one of the few remaining smiths in Sakai who can forge Honyaki blades, a technique referring to differentially tempering blades. This process of creating a hardness gradient in the same steel is notorious for being difficult to master for its metallurgically high stress-inducing quenching process. Togashi-san’s White #1 steel has a reputation for being able to take a super high grit edge very quickly, ideal for people who enjoy testing the boundaries of sharpness.

The Togashi line combines aesthetics, fit and finish, a durable edge and ease of sharpening into one beautiful knife. Togashi knives feel lighter and more nimble in the hand compared to our Manzo-sharpened knives and unlike most Sakai-forged knives, feature a finish direction parallel to the edge of the blade. Manzo’s blades, for instance, show a finish in the diagonal direction. This additional detail, “Tachi,” helps in hiding scratches created from day-to-day habits like a user’s natural tendency to wipe the blade parallel to the edge.

Combining its durable edge and solid price point for a premium White #1 steel, this exquisite line is ideal for cooks at home or in the kitchen looking for a blade capable of handling a high workload. Seasoned sharpeners will delight in its ability to take a super high grit edge very quickly, allowing for quick and efficient replenishing of the edge between uses. Its balance in the hand along with its well-rounded functionality makes owning the Togashi blade a delight like no other.

A Yanagiba is a traditional Japanese fish slicing blade that is single-sided/beveled, and 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 (not just fish), a well-sharpened Yanagiba is unmatched in performance. It is a great addition for any cooks looking to prepare traditional Japanese style dishes. Please make sure your single-bevel knife orientation matches your hand orientation. 

Brand: Hitohira ひとひら
Blacksmith: Togashi Blacksmith 富樫打刃物製作所
Producing Area: Sakai-Osaka/ Japan
Profile: Yanagiba
Size: 300mm
Steel: Yasuki White (Shirogami) #1, Soft Iron Clad
Handle: Ho Wood & Buffalo Horn Ferrule Left-Handed D-Shape
Total Length: 452mm
Edge Length: 293mm
Handle to Tip Length: 308mm
Blade Height: 35mm
Thickness: 3.2mm
Handle Length: 142mm
Weight: 205g
Hand Orientation: Left-Handed
Sharpener: Kenya Togashi