HADO Ginsan K-Petty 150mm - Red Urushi

HADO Knives is a relative newcomer to the game, based in the knife mecca capital of Sakai, Japan. They have really made a mark on the market with their incredibly well made and sought after products. They collaborate with some fantastic craftsmen such as Yoshikazu Tanaka as the blacksmith and master grinder, Tadataka Maruyama.

These knives are forged Shogou Yamatsuka and sharpened by Tadataka Maruyuma. Yamatsuka-san forges the knives in 3 layers, Ginsan in the core surrounded by stainless outer layers. The Ginsan steel was created to cut like carbon steel, without all the maintenance. They therefore take quite a bit of time and are easy to grind up, but they do not rust.

Tadataka-san's work here is truly world class. A true Sakai laser profile, with a thin blade and fantastic sharpening. A wide-bevel grind that exposes a lot of core steel, and a formidable kasumi finish.

The knife here is a so-called utility knife of 15 cm. After the chef's knife, it is probably the most universal knife of the common types, and can also replace a chef's knife in many ways. It is not quite as tall as a chef's knife and is also shorter, making it very easy to handle. It can be used for slicing vegetables and cutting smaller pieces of meat - and it is fantastically good for trimming meat as well as finer cutting tasks in fruit and vegetables.

We have to admit that we are completely blown away by these knives.