Shiroichikou Usuba
We are currently performing the final edge sharpening for the custom-made Shiroichikou Usuba Honkasumi Plus knife. The blacksmith is Mr. Kenji Togashi, and it belongs to the SUISIN DENSHO series with a wooden whetstone finish specification.
For thin-bladed knives, they are prone to warping if sharpened meticulously. However, with the Honkasumi Plus series, you can have peace of mind as it is less likely to deform. When sharpened by laying it flat, you can truly appreciate its ability to maintain its shape.
The sharpening stones used were:
- Diamond #500 and #1000
- Shapton Kuromaku #2000
- Medium finishing stone #4000
- King G-1 #8000
- INOX dedicated finishing stone #6000
I used more sharpening stones than usual. I aimed for a more glossy cutting edge, but I refrained from pursuing it further as the sharpening stone was sticking during the sharpening process.
I tried reflecting the characters on the lid of the Kitayama stone to create a mirror-like effect… but I need to make it even more sparkling! It really depends on identifying the level of mirror finish that satisfies you and determining how much time you can allocate to achieve that. Shiroitikou, which feels durable even when tapped on a cutting board! The character of the steel material can vary depending on the blacksmith. The ease of sharpening is determined by the craftsmanship of the sharpener.
hibishugyo 2017-11-02
SUISIN DENSHO
The text below is the comment I received when I wrote this article. Please understand that there are many expressions that are peculiar to Japanese, so there are some parts that cannot be translated well.
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Re: No title
Dear さるでござる！
Thank you very much. Ensuring the availability of easy-to-sharpen knives is an important aspect of SUISIN’s work. We hope that you will continue to enjoy using it comfortably once it reaches your hands!
It’s a truly wonderful knife.
Thank you very much for creating such a wonderful knife. This is Mizuno, the buyer. The sensation of cutting vegetables with it was excellent, and it made me smile without even realizing it. Moreover, the balance (center of gravity) of the knife when cutting is outstanding, making it easy to use. This is what they mean by a well-crafted knife with excellent forging and sharpening. I will cherish and make good use of it.
Re:It’s a truly wonderful knife.
Dear 水野
Thank you for your comment. We appreciate your purchase of the knife. We believe that it is a remarkable piece that is easy to sharpen and maintains its sharpness for a long time. We hope you will continue to enjoy using it for many years to come. If you have any inquiries regarding sharpening, repairs, or any other questions, please feel free to contact us, no matter how small the matter. We will convey your feedback to our craftsmen as well. Thank you once again. Tatsuya
