Nigara | SKU: NG-SG2KUTSU-HS135SP1

Nigara SG2 Kurouchi Tsuchime Honesuki 135mm Western Handle SP1

Name: Nigara SG2 Kurouchi Tsuchime Honesuki 135mm Western Handle SP1
Brand: Nigara
SKU: NG-SG2KUTSU-HS135SP1
Price: 599.95 AUD
Availability: InStock

$599.95

Add a saya or K&S Knife Roll to receive $20 bundle discount!

Detailed Specifications

Line	Nigara SG2 Kurouchi Tsuchime Special Western Handle
Profile	Honesuki / Boning, Garasuki
Bevel Type	Double Bevel
Weight	182 g 6.42 oz
Edge Length	135 mm .5.31 inch
Heel Height	34 mm .1.34 inch
Width @ Spine	4.2 mm 0.17 inch
Width @ Mid	4.1 mm 0.16 inch
Width @ 1cm from Tip	2.3 mm 0.09 inch
Steel	SG2 / R2 \| Powdered Stainless
Blade Construction	Sanmai - Stainless Clad
Hardness (HRC)	62 - 64
Surface Finish	Kurouchi
Handle	Coke-bottle Shaped Western
Region	Aomori
Best for	Enthusiasts Collectors

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The Nigara SG2 Matt Migaki Kurouchi Tsuchime line is the twin sister of the non-Kurouchi finished line produced by Nigara. Their shared, optimised production procedures allow them to be offered at a very competitive price without sacrificing performance. These Special Western handle Anmon are fitted with hand-shaped coke bottle profile ergonomic handles, often comes in unique and exotic materials, often contrast strongly with the rustic Kurouchi look of these blades.

These blades are for those who are looking for a more durable powder stainless steel edge, but also like the rustic look of the Kurouchi. As far as I know, this isn’t a common combination on the market, not to say that Nigara offer a whole series of different sizes and profiles in this line.

Being the most commonly used powder stainless steel in the Japanese kitchen knife industry, the SG2/R2 holds its place steadily with a good combination of toughness, edge retention and corrosion resistance. However, to get you hands onto this steel would be bit costly. Tojiro offers a series of SG2 knives from their budget DP series, Hatsukokoro also have a SG2 member in their Hayabusa family that comes at even lower price. However, the hand-grind bevel by Nigara’s skilful sharpener offers their knives a much more optimised geometry, beating Tojiro and Hatsukokoro with a better overall cutting performance while costing only a slightly more.

The fit and finish is consistent as usual for these Nigara blades. Good surface consistency, straightness and sharpening. The Kurouchi gives a completely different look to its twin sister line, making these knives a bit more popular choice for gifting. I have to be honest, this layer of black finish seems to be painted on instead of formed during the heating of the blade, but it is understandable as the stainless cladding doesn’t require the corrosion resistance of this oxidation layer, and is seems to be hard to form a dark Kurouchi finish on surface of the high alloy stainless steel.

Overall, Nigeria’s SG2 Matt Migaki lines are successful blades that excel in performance at their price bracket, the addition of the Kurouchi finish allows even more characterful selections for buyers and indeed we found many customers of us favour this more rustic look. We recommend this line to those whole want to upgrade their steel from the more entry level steels like VG10/AUS10, and to beginners who have a bit more budget as the sturdiness of the thicker bevel can help with reducing the chance of chipping.

Pros	Cons
Highly collectable Excellent fit and finish Great artistic	Heavy High budget

Care Instruction

Don't cut hard things! Japanese knives are brittle so bone hacking is a NO NO!
Wash with neutral detergent after use, and wipe dry;
Please don't wash knife with dishwasher, it will damage the wood handle;
Be careful not to leave the knife close to a heat source for a long time;
It is a lot more dangerous to cut with a blunt knife than a sharp knife!
It is best to sharpen a Japanese knife regularly on a waterstone.

Nigara

Based in the small yet beautiful city of Hirosaki in the northern prefecture of Aomori, Nigara hamono has been making samurai swords for 350 yearas, with master Kunitoshi (國俊) being one of the most famous sword smith in his generation. Now headed by the 8th generation mastersmith Tsuyoshi Yoshizawa (吉澤剛) supported by his father Toshiju Yoshizawa (吉澤俊寿), Nigara is becoming very popular thanks of its exquisite forging skills and second to none quality control.

Profile: Honesuki

Boning, Garasuki
The Honesuki is a specialized Japanese kitchen knife, designed primarily for boning and preparing poultry. Its unique profile features a triangular shape with a pointed tip, ideal for maneuvering around bones and making precise cuts. Unlike Western boning knives, the Honesuki's stiff and narrow blade excels in precision work rather than cutting through bones. Crafted for durability and ease of use, it often comes with a single bevel edge, although double-bevel variants are also available for more versatility. Preferred for its agility and precision, the Honesuki is a favorite among chefs for deboning and preparing meat with minimal waste.
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Steel: SG2 / R2
SG2, also known as Super Gold 2 or R2 steel, is a high-end powdered tool steel by Takefu Special Steel, known for its excellent edge retention, wear resistance, and ability to achieve a hardness of up to 64 HRC. Identical to Kobelco Steel's R2, it's prized in premium knife making for its fine edge sharpness and durability. The powdered nature ensures uniform carbide distribution, enhancing toughness and reducing chipping risks. SG2/R2 is ideal for those seeking top performance and longevity in their cutting tools.
Manufacturer:
- Takefu Special Steel, Japan
Nature: Stainless
Hardness: 62- 64
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Construction: Sanmai - Stainless Clad

Sanmai(Three-Piece) is a common construction for double bevel knives where two pieces of softer cladding steel are forgewelded to each side of a harder core steel. The harder but more brittle core steel will form the hard cutting edge after heat treating, and the softer cladding will support the core to increase the overall strength of the blade.
The soft cladding enables the thinning process to be a lot easier than a honyaki or monosteel construction. And in the case where the cladding steel are stainless in nature, it can offer protection for the carbon or semi-stainless cores against rusting and discoluoring.
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Finish: Kurouchi

Kurouchi refers to the rustic, unpolished finish found on the blade of many traditional Japanese kitchen knives. This blacksmith's finish is characterized by its dark, textured appearance, which is the result of leaving the blade forge-scale on the steel during production. Kurouchi finish not only adds a unique aesthetic appeal but also provides certain practical benefits. It acts as a protective layer against rust and corrosion, and helps to reduce food sticking to the blade during cutting. Commonly seen on high-quality, hand-forged knives, the kurouchi finish emphasizes the artisanal nature of the knife and its heritage, making each piece distinctively unique.
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Handle Specs
Profile: Coke-bottle shaped western
Material:
- Ambonya Burl Stabilized
- Acrylic
- G10
Inspired by the legendary Bob Loveless's signature coke bottle shaped handle, this style of handle provides ergonomic benefits by offering a comfortable grip because of its tapered rear end.
The wider midsection allows for a secure hold and better control while the tapered ends facilitate a natural hand position. This design is commonly found in Western-style kitchen knives, offering both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
This handle is made by the same makers who produced the famous Shigeki Tanaka's SG2 ironwood western line.
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