Hammer Forged Tsuchime Blade has cladding blade construction. Blade core is made of special high grade Cobalt steel called ZA-18 from Aichi Steel Company, sandwiched with AUS-2 stainless steel. This is the first kitchen knife to use this new formula steel of ZA-18, so we are excited to introduce and add this new line.

  Mr. Kawamura explains Aichi Steel Ccompany has recently developed this ZA-18 to compete or even outperform VG-10. It is heat treated and then ice hardened (Sub-Zero quench) to the Rockwell hardness of HRc. 60-61. The Chemical Composition of ZA-18 is similar to the VG-10, but contains higher Carbon (1.20 vs. 1.05), Chromium (18.0 vs. 15.5), Molybdenum (1.50 vs. 1.20) and Cobalt (1.80 vs. 1.5) for added hardness, durability and rust-resistance. In fact, before Mr. Kawamura decides to use this steel for Pro J Series, he has tested it many times and proved it's incredible cutting performance and potential.

  The Hammer Forged Tsuchime dimples come in random sizes and shapes to make not only for unique and different looks, but also prevent from sticking in slicing foods and vegetables. The edge geometry is their famous Hamaguri-ba for outstanding sharpness and longer edge retention.

  Japanese technology of the cladding blade construction also has many advantages in the durability and maintenance, because the AUS-2 outer steel protects the core steel, and makes the blade extra strong to bending and breaking for the different hardness steel layers.

  The handle is made of Black-Pakkawood handle, comes with nice accent of red color micro fiber spacer and stainless steel bolster. It is ergonomically designed with slightly slanted bolster forge welded into the tang and full tang hand rounded handle slab to fit with your hand.

  We are so happy to be able to expand Kanetsugu selections, because we know there are numbers of big fans who respect the craftsmanship and enjoy the cutting performance of  Kanetsugu knives. New Line, Pro J Series also come with Kanetsugu Original Hamaguri-ba (Convex) edge geometry. which was the secret of Pro M, Pro S knife’s cutting performance. Actually Mr. Kawamura has more confidence for the sharpness and cutting performance of Pro J Knives with the new and great Cobalt Steel ZA-18, a totally new experience in cutting performance.