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Knife, Zuika Hocho

Zuika Hocho These Japanese Hocho from the historic Gihei house are forged from one of the world's hardest steel blades. The centre cutting layer is made of premium powder steel ZDP-189 from Hitachi, which provides extreme sharpness and durability due t
Size / Weight / Qty Price Quantity
Item Code: F8138 Santoku Price:
$ 1,257.20
$ 1,257.20
- +
Item Code: F8139 Gyuto Price:
$ 1,229.20
$ 1,229.20
- +
Item Code: F8140 Usuba Price:
$ 1,257.20
$ 1,257.20
- +

Description

Hocho

Japanese chef's knives - generically known as hocho - have an unrivalled reputation for edge quality and retention and jaw droppingly beautiful aesthetics.

There are several manufacturing - or perhaps a better word is making - techniques because the best of these hocho are hand made by master smiths.  The most renowned technique is lamination where a core of multi layered, high carbon, edge holding steel - often referred to as blue paper or white paper - is forged between rust resistant steel cheeks which serve to cushion the hard core steel, rust proof the majority of the surface of the blade and provide a softer layer where the master smith can leave his 'chop' or insignia.

In the kitchen some formulations of so called stainless 'steel' - critics don't accept it as steel at all - have application as an edge steel for some Japanese hocho and it remains a passionate debate as to whether the stainless formulations match their traditional carbon steel counterparts.

Bear in mind that quality edge tools in woodworking, gardening and the kitchen which use high carbon or tool steel for their cutting edges are subject to rust.  A susceptibility to rusting is an unavoidable trade off for the edge taking and holding nature of high carbon steels.

Zuika Hocho

These Japanese Hocho from the historic Gihei house are forged from one of the world's hardest steel blades. The centre cutting layer is made of premium powder steel ZDP-189 from Hitachi, which provides extreme sharpness and durability due to the very high carbon content of 3%. The knives' 20% chromium content makes them rustproof and easy to clean. The extremely hard cutting steel is covered by two tougher stainless steel layers (SUS405), making the knife highly break-resistant. The octagonal handle made from Japanese Zelkove has a wonderful yellow-brown colour and is rounded off by a buffalo horn ferrule. The knives have a double-bevelled signature-labelled blade. Hardness, 66 HRC.

 

Stock Note: Not always held in stock.  Please contact us for likely delivery timing. These knives are artisan made and not mass produced.

Care & Maintenence

 

  • See HERE for recommended Japanese water stones for sharpening and honing.
  • See HERE for for Keshigomu abrasive rubbing blocks for polishing.
  • See HERE for storage and mothballing options.

 

 f8138

 Santoku - General Purpose

Double bevel

Rustproof

Blade 160 x 2.0mm

1 layer

Powder Metallurgy Steel

Hardness 66 HRC

Overall 30mm

In wooden box

 

Item Code: F8138

 f8139

 Gyuto - Fish & Meat

Double bevel

Rustproof

Blade 170 x 1.8mm

1 layer

Powder Metallurgy Steel

Hardness 62 HRC

Overall 305mm

In wooden box


Item Code: F8139

 f8140

 Usuba - Vegetable

Double bevel

Rustproof

Blade 210 x 2.0mm

1 layer

Powder Metallurgy Steel

Hardness 62 HRC

Overall 345mm

In wooden box

 

Item Code: F8140

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