Our in-depth range review

First Impressions


This range is entirely forged by hand and boasts impressive levels of sharpness right out of the box.

Beauty

If you're looking for a knife that shows off classic and traditional Japanese knife making then you can't go wrong with this one. 

Beauty is of course always subjective but we always love seeing a quality blade with a simple kurouchi finish and the cherry wood oval handles are a typical pairing for this type of knife.

In Hand


The oval wa handle is comfortable and easy to grip and again, for such a low price point we thought the subtle rounding of the edges along the spine and around the heel of the knife were nicely done and made it very comfortable in hand.

Durability


Blue #2 and soft iron clad is a great combination for making an affordable and durable knife with excellent edge retention and durability.

Ease of Care & Maintenance Tips

It should be noted that the soft iron clad knives are fully reactive so both core and cladding react with moisture and your ingredients. As such, the care requirements for this steel combination are a little higher than some knives. Learn more about carbon steel care here.

We would recommend periodically treating it with a little camellia oil and in the event of rust spots forming on the soft iron cladding a quick pass with a rust eraser is all you need. 

Our Verdict

Excellent value for money, a classic Japanese knife crafted by entirely by hand and with a durable core steel that holds a great edge. 

Meet the maker

Muneishi Hamono

Founded in 1955, Muneishi Hamono Kōbō is a family-run forge in Tosa, Kōchi Prefecture, dedicated to preserving the traditional craft of Tosa-uchihamono - a traditional Japanese craft of hammer-forged cutlery from Kochi Prefecture, historically known as the province of Tosa.

The workshop was long led by second-generation blacksmith Hirotaka Muneishi, a certified Tosa Traditional Craftsman who began apprenticing in his father’s workshop as a child and took over the business at just 18.

Today, the forge continues under the leadership of third-generation craftsman Kosuke Muneishi, who builds upon his father’s legacy while introducing modern sensibilities to the family’s blades. From hatchets and sickles to finely crafted kitchen knives, Muneishi Hamono’s work embodies the enduring sharpness, durability, and authenticity that define Japan’s finest regional blacksmithing traditions.

View all Muneishi Hamono products