R 2,780

SAN-A105 Ajikiri

Maker: Tadafusa
Model no.: SAN-A105
Blade Steel: Aogami #2 (Blue Paper Steel) with nashiji finish and stainless cladding
Blade Length: 105mm
Handle: Octagonal walnut

The Tadafusa SAN range of knives offers lasting quality in the kitchen. The blade is hand forged with an inner layer of Aogami #2 (blue paper steel), which is a premium steel used for chef's knives that must hold their cutting edge, while being easy to sharpen. This is covered by an outer layer of stainless steel, which protects the shine of the blade, while not compromising on cutting performance.

The SAN-A105 is an Ajikiri (鯵切り) knife, which is a small fish cleaning and cutting knife (aji = horse mackerel; kiri = cut). It is shaped like a Deba knife, but the 105mm blade is thinner than a Deba and not to be used for deboning. Since this is a double bevel ajikiri, it can also be used as a paring knife for delicate work. It has a beautiful nashiji (pear skin) finish, which also allows for easier cutting of fatty or starchy foods. The octagonal handle allows for easy gripping and is made from walnut wood.

Tadafusa

Sanjo in Niigata Prefecture is a well known hub in Japan of blacksmith factories and hardware manufacturing businesses. Its blacksmith tradition goes back to 1635.

The founder of Tadafusa - Torasaburo Sone - started Tadafusa in 1948 and, by using the techniques of the region, began making sickles, short swords, kitchen knives and hand-forged metal scales. Over time, Tadafusa became renowned for especially fishing knives, kitchen knives and soba knives.

Now in its third generation under the leadership of Tadayuki Sone, Tadafusa has introduced many contemporary elements to its knife ranges, including partnering with industrial designers like Fumie Shibata for its Hocho Kobo range and Yusuke Seki for its knife showroom. As a result, Tadafusa has won a number of Good-Design Awards and in the words of the company "have been continuing taking great effort to create the hand-forged knives that customers really desire for with the demands of the present age."

Tadafusa knives are ideal for serious home cooks as well as professional chefs and come in different blade types and wooden handle finishes. They have pioneered a process of carbonising wood handles to improve the antibacterial properties.