Nigara Hamono VG-XEOS Santoku Knife 18.5cm

Nigara Hamono carries a heritage of more than 350 years, having served as the Tsugaru clan’s official swordsmiths during the Edo period. Its roots are even more unusual: under the direct command of the shogunate, the family were master craftsmen who forged cannons. As history evolved, this lineage continued to fashion instruments of iron, progressing from cannons to swords and now to kitchen knives, a trajectory that is genuinely without parallel.

The advanced forging techniques cultivated across this extraordinary history have been passed seamlessly into modern knife-making, and the excellence of the craft is evidenced by national recognition as a leading group of artisans, including the Prime Minister’s Award for swordsmithing and swords enshrined at Meiji Shrine and Ise Grand Shrine. 

Today, under eighth-generation master Tsuyoshi Yoshizawa, Nigara creates knives that go beyond utility, uniting tradition with innovation.

Certified craftsmen meticulously forge and finish every piece by hand, with a commitment to inspire through quality and design while relentlessly pursuing ultimate sharpness and ease of use.

Edges based on sword-making principles enter ingredients cleanly and minimize cell damage. Vegetables stay crisp. Fish slices are smooth. The effect lifts everyday cooking across Japanese, French, Italian, and more.

Accurate cuts reduce waste and speed prep. You work with less effort and more repeatability, which improves portioning and presentation. The blade follows through without sticking or dragging, so you maintain rhythm from prep to service.

Each face is hand-hammered to create a shifting, kasumi-like pattern that catches the light. No two patterns are the same, and that individuality is part of the appeal. The surface is not only decorative. The micro-dimples hold a thin air layer between food and steel. That layer helps release high-moisture ingredients and proteins, so slices separate cleanly and the board stays tidy. The effect is especially noticeable with items that usually cling, such as cucumbers, fatty fish, or soft cheeses.

Fusion of world-class materials and master craftsmanship. Nigara selects pro-grade steels for edge life and stability, then tunes stainless variants for higher corrosion resistance to simplify daily care.

These blades are crafted from high-quality steels highly praised by professional chefs. For this line we specify VG XEOS, a rare, next-generation stainless steel with superior sharpness and exceptional corrosion resistance, surpassing even widely used VG10. Many models use a 33-layer Damascus pattern that gives each knife a one-of-a-kind presence, creating a distinct layered sheen and a calm, even feel through dense produce, with a layered construction that ensures exceptional durability.

Cooks who want cleaner cuts and brighter flavor. Homes and professional kitchens that value stainless convenience without giving up feel. Anyone who prefers a tool that improves with use and can be handed down with confidence.

Certified craftsmen apply the hammered surface and bring up the edge by hand. The goal is simple and demanding. Slice without crushing cells. Draw out natural flavor. Deliver a stable edge that holds through real prep. That is the standard we work to meet on every knife we ship.