Mutsumi Hinoura Ajikataya Shirogami #2 210mm Gyuto

About Hinoura Hamono（日野浦刃物） Hinoura Hamono is a knife-making workshop led by the father-and-son team of Tsukasa Hinoura（日野浦 司） and Mutsumi Hinoura（日野浦 睦）. The Hinoura lineage of bladesmithing can be traced back to the Meiji era, with the family’s forging legacy beginning in 1905, when the first generation, Shintaro Hinoura, founded the knife-making business. After relocating to Sanjo City, Niigata, in 1912, the Hinoura family has continued to craft knives there for over a century. Tsukasa Hinoura is a highly respected yet low-profile Echigo forgesmith, revered by top-tier knife artisans across Japan. Taking over the family craft at around the age of 22 in 1978, he excelled at every stage of bladesmithing. His knives are admired not only for their refined beauty, but for their masterful heat treatment and precise grinds, forged deep in Sanjo—true expressions of the artisan’s soul. In 2001, his son Mutsumi Hinoura entered the lifelong path of bladesmithing, joining his father at the forge. Together, they continue to produce knives that represent the Hinoura legacy—pieces that have become highly sought after by chefs and collectors worldwide, from their early roots in 1905 to some of today’s most coveted blades. This exquisite handcrafted Hinoura Gyuto features a Shirogami #2 steel core with stainless cladding, forged by Mutsumi Hinoura, the fourth generation of the Hinoura lineage. Crafted under the family’s “Ajikataya” brand, the knife carries Hinoura’s signature kurouchi tsuchime finish, paired with a traditional Burnt Chestnut Oval Handle with Buffalo Horn Ferrule The blade is extremely laser-thin at the edge, with a distinctive Sanjo-style tapered spine, delivering outstanding cutting performance and precision. Hinoura’s forging philosophy places strong emphasis on ease of sharpening, allowing knife owners to maintain the blade effortlessly and achieve an exceptional level of sharpness. This knife is not suitable for beginners. Due to its ultra-thin geometry and high performance, extra care is required during use and maintenance. Spec: Origin (Made in): Sanjo, Niigata Perfecture, Japan Blacksmith: Mutsumi Hinoura Brand: Hinoura Hamono Knife Type: Gyuto Blade Construction: San Mai Grind: Double-edged Blade (50/50 Grind) Hagane (Core Steel): Shirogami #2 (White #2) Jigane (Cladding): Stainless Steel Hardness: 62 HRC Hand-forged, hand-ground, hand-sharpened Blade Finishes: Migaki Blade Length: 210mm (8.3") Blade Height (at heel): 52mm Spine Thickness Above heel: 3.2mm Middle: 2.5mm Handle Shape: Octagonal Material: Burnt Chestnut Oval Handle with Buffalo Horn Ferrule Kuchiwa: Black Buffalo Horn Length: 127mm Overall Length: 355mm Weight: 187g Hand chiselled mark: In Japanese Kanji "Ajikataya" (味方屋)