We often heard a good rumor and reputation of the outstanding forge-smith, named "Tsukasa Hinoura" in Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture, another Japan's cutlery producing district of traditional "Echigo" Forged Knives.
Having our business based in Seki, we have a meeting frequently with major knife makers in Seki to discuss a production schedule, new products and general matters. While talking with Master Hattori, he spoke very well of Master Hinoura's work. Since he is a knifemaster who never compromises and admires, I'm bit surprised to see that he has other knifemaker to admire and respect, but I understand only the top level craftsmen can respect each other and share the same feelings. We've heard same story from the knife expert and metallurgist, Mr. Onoue in Seki. He mentioned that Master Hinoura's knife is the best in the forged knives both in function and beauty. He has made metal analysis and testing of all kinds of knives, and proved that Master Hinoura's knife was in top ranking in every aspect. It can stand hard uses without warping and breaking.
We are excited to hear these good things from both Seki knife specialists and are eager to introduce the Hinoura knives to our JCK customers as the high-end line. At the Seki Knife Show in October, we had a chance to see his knives in hands and discuss about his backgrounds and his insistences on knife making.
Echigo Blacksmith, Tsukasa Hinoura is the third generation of Blacksmith family. And his son, Mutsumi Hinoura is the fourth generation and working with full of passion. They are aggressively searching the own way to express the skill and passion to the blades.
Our first impression of Master Hinoura knives are the "Honed Beauty", and we can recognize the skills, times and passions behind it. It is the perfect knife with beautiful seamless line and form, no sharp corners, no distortion, no gaps etc. Master Hinoura devotes tremendous times from start to finish one knife for every detail. Master Hinoura expresses his soul and passion into the blades with his traditional methods of hammer forging, handcrafting and water quenching.
