Name: Gihei Hamono SLD Petty 130mm
Brand: Gihei Hamono
SKU: GIH-001
Price: 135.0 GBP
Availability: InStock

First Impressions

Out of the box, performance is good and the cutting smooth without needing any real work although as with most knives a couple of passes on a strop would give you a little extra performance if you wanted a quick and easy edge boost.

Beauty

The SLD is quite a traditional looking knife available with a wa or yo handle depending on the blade and with a simple but nicely finished brush polish running down to a the shinogi line and a migaki finish simply showing the core.

In Hand

Both the wa and yo handle are comfortable enough but perhaps represent a little compromise in comparison to the blade which allows for the use of a high quality SLD steel and saves a little in terms of production cost.

While perfectly good quality, the burnt magnolia and plastic ferrule are comfortable but quite standard oval handles. The black pakka wood yo handle fitted to some knives in the range is again comfortable without being spectacular but both handle sizes and fits balance the blades well in hand.

Durability

Gihei Hamono primarily work in higher performance steels like SLD which offer a carbon like level of edge retention and performance combined with the ease of care of a very stain resistant steel so the 62HRC treated steel is a great combination of durability and edge retention.

Ease of Care

As a semi-stainless steel, SLD is perhaps as close to being stainless as you can get so caring for it is pretty straightforward if you just follow the normal care instructions for any Japanese knife.

It's also very easy to maintain and sharpen in comparison to its similarly hard and high performance carbon steel counterparts.

Our Verdict

Good performance, a quality heat treatment of the SLD steel giving both edge retention and durability in a classy but understated finish overall - the SLD range is a solid option for both home and professional use.

Product Quick View

Want to see a little more of the knife? Check out what the knife looks like in hand and up close.

Product details

Blade Length: 130mm (Measurement of the cutting edge)
Total Length: 244mm (Blade tip to handle end)
Blade Height: 28.7mm (Heel to spine)
Blade Thickness: 1.80mm (Spine width above the heel) 1.72mm (Measured halfway along spine) 1.16mm (Measured 15mm from tip)
Total Weight: 71 grams
Core Steel: SLD
Care Tip – Reactive Carbon Steel

The core (and on some ranges, the cladding steel too) of this knife is made using a carbon steel which can react with moisture and acids in your food and so is not stainless or rust-proof.

Read our carbon steel care guide

View all carbon steel knives

View all non-reactive knives

RECOMMENDED Carbon steel care kit
Cladding Steel: Stainless
Hardness: 62 (HRC)
Handle Style: Various
Left or Right handed: Either (Double Bevel)

Product SKU: GIH-001

Our aim is to measure and photograph our products as accurately as possible but due to many items being handmade, finished or using natural materials, there can be minor variance in measurements and things such as blade or wood finishes can vary. We will always endeavour to provide the most accurate measurements, photos and descriptions of our products.

Some measurements such as HRC are provided by manufacturers and should therefore be used as a guide.

Protection & care for this knife

The 135mm petty magnolia saya fits this knife as does the petty size blade guard.

Saya & Guards Knife Racks & Storage Sharpening & Blade Care

Meet the maker

Gihei Hamono

Based in Sanjo, Gihei Hamono is led by fourth generation head knife maker Atushi Hosokawa-san and his son Takashi and have been creating quality blades since the 1920's. They are an innovative and forward thinking company who specialise in working with modern high performance steels as well as traditional materials.

Gihei Hamono SLD Petty 130mm