Vintage Kanehiko Hand-Forged Japanese Nakiri 170mm Carbon Steel Timber Handle 2286

Experience a Hand-Forged Japanese Vegetable Knife with True Artisan Provenance

Hand-forged. Not stamped, not laser-cut - forged by a single craftsperson, one blade at a time. This Vintage Kanehiko Hand-Forged Nakiri 170mm is a pure vegetable knife in the classic Japanese tradition: flat-ground, double-bevel, zero tip, maximum board contact. Built for the prep cook who wants to move fast without tearing through produce.

The Specs

• Steel: Japanese high-carbon steel (hand-forged)
• Blade type: Nakiri - vegetable cleaver (double bevel)
• Blade length: 170mm
• Handle: Timber (wa-style)
• Brand: Kanehiko
• Origin: Japan
• Condition: Pre-owned, vintage
• SKU: 2286

Heritage

The Kane prefix in Japanese knife naming typically indicates a metalworking guild designation - a traditional signal that the blade meets the standard of a registered smith. Hand-forging produces a blade with a more complex grain structure than stamped or laser-cut production: the repeated hammer blows align the steel's crystalline structure along the cutting edge, resulting in better edge retention, improved flex recovery, and a blade that rewards expert sharpening. The Nakiri profile - flat edge, squared tip, full blade height - maximizes contact with the cutting board on every stroke, making it the most efficient blade form for high-volume vegetable prep. At 170mm it handles everything from julienning carrots to breaking down whole cabbages with clean, tearless precision.

Care & Maintenance

• Hand wash only - never dishwasher
• Dry immediately after use to prevent rust
• Hone regularly on a smooth steel or fine ceramic rod
• Sharpen on Japanese water stones (1000/3000 grit)
• Store on a magnetic rack or in a knife roll - never loose in a drawer