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Kato Uchihamono Knives

Kato Uchihamono Knives

Kato Uchihamono Knives

Where are Kato Uchihamono Knives by Kato Knife Manufacturing Inc. made?

Kato Uchihamono Knives are fully handmade in Echizen city, pref. Fukui. Echizen (also named Takefu at 1948-2005) has been famous for more than 700 years as a sword-making center. The blades called “Echizen Uchi-Hamono” (Echizen hammer-forged blades) were highly valued amongst Samurai warlords. The history of Kato Knife Manufacturing Inc. (previous name Kanehiro Hamono) started in 1928, when the current grandmaster’s grandfather started learning the art of making blades in Echizen. 20 years later, he was recognized as an experienced craftsman who can open his own workshop. His son succeeded father’s love for making knives and the family business. While the second grandmaster has retired from being the director, at 80 years old he still advises the younger masters and checks the quality of the blades produced by Kato Uchihamono brand. The current third grandmaster, Kato Yoshimi, has taught the secrets of making best knives not only to his son, but also to other young masters of forging and polishing. So, you can be sure that wonderful Kato Uchihamono Knives won’t disappear from the market – the workshop has enough experienced masters and talented apprentices to pass their knowledge to the next generations.

What makes Kato Uchihamono Knives special?

At first, Kato Knife Manufacturing Inc. uses only best materials for their knives. The following sorts of steel are used:

  • Shirogami Carbon Steel,
  • Aogami Carbon Steel,
  • Aogami Super Steel,
  • VG10 Cobalt Alloy Stainless Steel,
  • Super Gold 2 Steel (powder stainless steel/high-speed steel) etc.

Secondly, Kato Uchihamono Knives are made by special technologies. One of them, called “Nimai Hiroge”, was born in Echizen city. The master has to heat in the fire pit two blades in the same time. After this, the master thins out with the hammer both blades. This quite difficult method allows the blades to cool down slower than if made one-by-one. That’s why the blades made by Nimai Hiroge technique do not require the second heating up in the fire pit, and the carbon percentage of the carbon steel does not decrease.

Another traditional Echizen metal forging technique is forging the blade without heating it up. Hand forging at the room temperature does not destroy the steel original structure, but makes it harder and more durable.

You can buy Kato Uchihamono Knives by Kato Knife Manufacturing Inc. from Japan in our store at an affordable price.

Kato Uchihamono Damascus Gyuto Knife
Technical characteristics of Kato Uchihamono Damascus Gyuto Knife Blade length: 210 mm Ov..
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Technical characteristics of Kato Uchihamono Damascus Nakiri Knife Blade length: 165 mm O..
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