Umeki Honshu Tanegashima Scissors Mfg. Co. | Tanegashima Knife Medium 15cm

"Umeki Hon Tanegashima Hasami Seisakusho" is a workshop located on Tanegashima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture.
This is a 15cm Tanegashima knife, crafted by blacksmith Shoji Umeki.

Tanegashima Island has a history of sword and gunsmiths. Each knife is meticulously hand-forged, using blacksmithing techniques that have been continuously passed down through generations over many years.

Mr. Umeki is the sole apprentice of Yoshifumi Makise, the 37th generation, who has upheld the tradition and techniques of Tanegashima scissors and Tanegashima knives. He continues to preserve these skills without interruption.

Along with Tanegashima scissors, these knives have been designated as "Traditional Crafts" by Kagoshima Prefecture.

Strong and flexible blade

The 15cm Tanegashima knife is truly an all-purpose size, capable of handling meat, fish, and vegetables. While it can serve as a small santoku knife for general daily cooking, it also excels at intricate cutting tasks like a paring knife. From preparing meat and cutting onions and carrots to fruits like tomatoes and apples, this single knife is active in a wide range of cooking situations.

For single households or compact kitchens, a single 15cm knife is sufficient for daily cooking. It is easy to handle and fits comfortably in the hand.

Mr. Umeki's Tanegashima knives are "forged by heating and hammering." The properties of the blade change with heating temperature, method of heating, and the force of hammering, so the finish depends on the craftsman's experience and intuition. Finally, the craftsman himself hand-sharpens each knife, creating a strong, flexible blade with exceptional sharpness. The sharpness, which preserves the fibers of the ingredients and enhances their flavor, makes daily cooking more delicious.

Resharpening Service

To ensure you can use your knife for a long time, we offer a resharpening maintenance service by Mr. Umeki. Please note that return shipping costs and maintenance fees will be borne by the customer. If you wish to use this service, please contact our shop.

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[Size (approx.)] Overall length 280mm (blade length approx. 150mm)
[Weight (approx.)] 95g
[Materials] Blade: Aogami Shirogami No. 2 steel, Iron; Handle: Hou wood; Fastener: Plastic
[Specifications] Double-edged, Kuro-uchi finish
[Country of origin] Japan

●Precautions for use
・The blade is sharp, so please handle with extreme care.
・Do not attempt to cut hard objects forcibly. This may cause chipping of the blade.
・After use, wipe off moisture and dry thoroughly.
・If not in use for an extended period, apply a thin layer of cooking oil over the entire blade before storing.

●Before Purchase
・Since each item is handmade, there may be slight individual differences in size and shape.
・As natural wood is used, there may be variations in wood grain and color.
"Umeki Hon Tanegashima Hasami Seisakusho" is a workshop located on Tanegashima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture. Yoshifumi Makise, the 37th generation who upheld the tradition and techniques of Tanegashima scissors and knives, passed away in 2016. Currently, Shoji Umeki, the sole apprentice of the 37th generation, inherits these traditional skills and is the only craftsman who can create Tanegashima scissors and knives using traditional manufacturing methods.

Click here for a list of works by Umeki Hon Tanegashima Hasami Seisakusho
Click here for scenes of the work

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[From left: Tanegashima knife small 12cm, large 18cm, medium 15cm]
The brand marks and handles may vary slightly due to their handmade nature.