Higonokami Blue Wooden Handle VG10

Higonokami

After the disempowerment of the Samurais in the late 1800s, blacksmiths lost their main customers and had to resort to manufacturing different blades to earn an income. The name of the knife is strongly related to these events. “Higo no Kami” in Japanese means “Lord of Higo”. Higo is the old name of the Kyushu province, where the original knife came from, but “Higo no Kami” is also an aristocratic title historically given to powerful samurai.

VG10 Stainless Steel

VG10, a cutlery grade stainless steel produced in Japan. It has a high carbon content, which allows it to be heat treated to higher hardness levels, thus allowing the blade to take on finer, sharper edges whilst being able to maintain that edge for prolonged periods of time. It’s easy to maintain stainless steel with a great balance between edge retention, sharpness and durability.

Most Japanese knives are made with much harder steel than their Western counterparts. Harder steel can be sharpened much sharper and hold an edge for long periods. Never cut through bones, frozen foods, butternut stems, lemongrass, etc. This can result in a chipped blade. Hard steel is much more delicate than softer steel.