Overview

The Nigara Hamono SG2 Kurouchi Tsuchime Kiritsuke 270 mm pairs a high-performance SG2 (R2) powder stainless core with stainless cladding finished in kurouchi and hammered tsuchime. Forged in Hirosaki, Aomori by the Yoshizawa family, this long kiritsuke offers exceptional edge life, easy maintenance, and a thin, performance-forward grind that glides through dense veg and proteins. The wa handle is burnt chestnut (yakisugi) with a buffalo horn ferrule—lightweight, grippy, and built for long prep sessions.

At 270 mm (with an edge around ~260 mm typical for this line), you get long, confident draw cuts and extra board coverage without feeling unwieldy. Stainless cladding keeps care simple; just wash, dry, and go. For the keenest possible start, add our Tokushu pro sharpening service.

Common Questions

Q: Is a 270 mm kiritsuke too big for home cooks? A: If you have a cutting board at least 18″ wide, the 270 shines. The extra length means fewer strokes on roasts, melons, and big prep—but thanks to the thin grind and light wa handle, it still feels nimble for onions and herbs.

Q: How do I care for the kurouchi/tsuchime finish and SG2 steel? A: SG2 is stainless, so it won’t patina like carbon. Hand-wash and dry immediately. Use a soft, knife-friendly Hasegawa board to preserve the edge.

Q: How should I maintain the edge between full sharpenings? A: Touch up on a clean leather strop—our oversized buffalo strop is ideal: Tokushu Premium XL Buffalo Strop. When it’s time to reset the bevel, book our professional sharpening for a screaming, even edge.

Specifications

Core Steel: SG2 (R2) powder stainless

Cladding Type: Stainless, kurouchi & tsuchime (hammered) finish

Blade Length: 270 mm (typical edge ~260 mm)

Overall Length: ~415–419 mm

Spine Thickness (Heel): ~2.3 mm

Spine Thickness (Mid): ~2.1–2.3 mm

Weight: ~214–226 g (varies by handle piece)

Handle Material: Burnt chestnut (yakisugi) octagonal with buffalo horn ferrule

Hardness (HRC): ~62–64

Brand/Blacksmith: Nigara Hamono (Yoshizawa family), Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan