Honesuki Maru (sometimes called Hankotsu) are knives designed for breaking down beef and pork. It is a stiff thick bladed knife that is great for all around butchery tasks. It is ground to favor the right hand, and is usually sharpened mostly on the right side with a small back bevel on the left for toughness. These knives can be sharpened more 50/50 style for lefties. Sakai Kikumori’s Nihonko series have a carbon mono-steel blade and a comfortable western style handle. Ease of sharpening and good edge life make these knives an excellent all-around value. 

**Extra care is required with carbon steel. No soaking or dishwashers! Dry well in between uses to avoid rust. Blade will develop a patina (discoloration) with normal use. 

**While this knife is designed for tough use, do not use twist or pry edge, as it can still be susceptible to damage.

Blade Material: SK carbon steel

Handle Material: Pakka wood

Hardness: 63 HRC

Blade Length: 5.9" (150mm)

Overall Length: 10.6" (268mm)

Height at Heel: 1" (27mm)

Thickness of Spine at Heel: .12" (2.94mm)

Weight: 6.4 oz. (182 grams)

Sakai Kikumori is the flagship brand of Kawamura Hamono, producing top quality Japanese and Western style kitchen knives in Sakai, one of the oldest knife making centers in Japan. They have been producing knives since the 1920’s and have maintained long standing relationships with some of the best blacksmiths and blade grinders in Sakai.