Kisuke Manaka Blue #2 Tsuchime Migaki Santoku
Kisuke Manaka Blue #2 Tsuchime Migaki Santoku
Kisuke Manaka Blue #2 Tsuchime Migaki Santoku
Kisuke Manaka Blue #2 Tsuchime Migaki Santoku
Kisuke Manaka Blue #2 Tsuchime Migaki Santoku
Kisuke Manaka Blue #2 Tsuchime Migaki Santoku
Kisuke Manaka Blue #2 Tsuchime Migaki Santoku
Kisuke Manaka Blue #2 Tsuchime Migaki Santoku
Kisuke Manaka Blue #2 Tsuchime Migaki Santoku
Kisuke Manaka Blue #2 Tsuchime Migaki Santoku

Kisuke Manaka Blue #2 Tsuchime Migaki Santoku

£415.00

The "Migaki" finish strips back the kurouchi for an almost silver take on Kisuke Manaka's hammer texture. Extreme blade height for huge clearance, with an aggressive distal taper keeping it well balanced in hand.

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Product Code: MANAK-002

Knife & Range Specifications

Knife Measurements
  • Blade Edge Length: 188mm / 7.4" (Measurement of the cutting edge)
  • Total Knife Length: 338mm / 13.31" (Blade tip to handle end)
  • Blade Height: 62.3mm / 2.45" (Heel to spine)
  • Blade Thickness: 3.5mm / 0.14" (Spine width above the heel) 2.3mm / 0.09" (Measured halfway along spine) 1.4mm / 0.06" (Measured 15mm from tip)
  • Total Weight: 203 grams / 7.16 oz

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 finishes.

Range Specifications
  • Core Steel: Aogami Blue #2
  • Cladding Steel: Soft Iron
  • Blade Finish: Kurouchi | Migaki | Tsuchime
  • Hardness: ~63 (HRC)
  • Handle Style: Japanese (Wa)
  • Handle Material: Octagonal quince with white buffalo horn
  • Left or Right handed: Suitable for both (Double Bevel)

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

Manaka Hamono - Blue #2 Tsuchime

Our in-depth range review

First Impressions

The most obvious first impression is the incredible height of the updated knives in this range, they're extremely tall and best suited for those who really do want all that height for sure!

With a slightly convex grind running down to the thin edge they perform well straight out of the box.

Beauty

The distinctive hammer finish is now something of a Kisuke Manaka trademark and the knives in this range are available in two new finishes, the "Tetsu" is a take on the classic kurouchi finish and is a lighter grey created by sandblasting the soft iron cladding which the "Migaki" has almost all of the kurouchi removed to leave an almost silver finish.

Both then run down to a nice misty kasumi finish and show off that Blue #2 core beautifully.

In Hand

The extra height on the knives offers a huge amount of clearance and while they do have quite a significant thickness at the spine, the distal taper across the range is fairly aggressive and the knives remain well balanced in hand and still feel reasonably light although obviously not as light in hand as a more traditional sized comparable knife shape.

The knives in this range have been fitted with an octagonal qunice wood and white buffalo horn handle.

Durability

The new Blue #2 model is forged using a rikizai steel made to Kisuke-san's personal specification for this range and the traditional Blue #2 clad with soft iron steel is a widely used and durable construction.

At around 63HRC the core steel balances durability with edge retention.

Ease of Care & Maintenance Tips

We recommend following our carbon steel care tips when looking after this knife. 

Our Verdict

It's always an honour to stock knives like these, they show off the depth of craft and skill of the blacksmith with many different touches from the unique hammer finish through to the continual innovation in steel use through to the unique design of this range offering an almost extreme amount of height in the blades.

Great fun to look at and use and real statement piece in any collection.

Meet the maker

Manaka Hamono