Description

Koji Hara: Japan’s Master of Custom Knife Artistry

Koji Hara stands as one of Japan’s most respected custom knife makers and designers, known for creating pieces that capture the spirit and soul of Japanese craftsmanship.

Since starting his journey of custom knife making in 1988, Koji Hara has carved out a reputation for his breathtakingly detailed work and his dedication to artistic excellence.

His knives are more than tools—they’re works of art, each one crafted with an extraordinary level of care and a touch of Japan’s traditional aesthetic.

Each knife is a reflection of Japan’s rich cultural heritage, carrying with it a sense of timelessness and artistry that sets his work apart. 

Koji Hara KH-550 M-390 Perfect Mirror Polish, Custom Utility Steak Knife "Silver Tanto" 

Koji Hara’s talent shines through in his intricate hand-inlay work and his designs that blend beauty with functionality. In every knife Koji Hara creates, you’ll find not just an impressive blade, but a piece that tells a story—a story of Japanese craftsmanship, precision, and beauty.

When you first hold this knife, you will immediately appreciate the masterful design—the blade, reminiscent of a traditional Japanese tanto, and the dazzling mirror finish combine to create a stunningly refined aesthetic.

The custom-hand-inlaid black mother of pearl inlay and the meticulous hammer pattern add a touch of intellectual elegance and sophistication, while every detail has been carefully crafted.

The sculpted blade spine and the liner of the handle, crafted through Koji Hara's time-consuming and meticulous engraving techniques, further enhance the three-dimensional beauty of this art knife.

At the same time, you’ll realize the careful consideration given to both the grip and usability, making this not only a beautiful piece of art but also a rare and refined knife that excels in its function as both a table knife and a steak knife.

Koji Hara has created numerous mirror-finished art knives throughout his career, and his experience shines through in his choice of materials. The M-390 steel, known for its exceptional edge retention and cutting performance, is highly regarded for both its sharpness and strength.

This high-quality steel also complements Koji Hara's expert mirror polishing process perfectly, resulting in a stunning mirror finish. This is one of the reasons Koji Hara selected M-390 for this blade. The mirror finish achieved with M-390 steel reflects not only the sharpness of the blade but also the craftsmanship and beauty that Koji Hara is known for.

A masterpiece from Japan's premier custom knife maker, bringing elegance to your table and making every dinner time extraordinary.

Koji Hara has thoughtfully included a handcrafted black leather sheath for carrying this utility table steak knife, perfect for dining at restaurants or using as an outdoor utility knife on your outdoor adventures.

 M-390 Mirror Polished Blade in 3.6mm thick, 100mm blade, 115mm handle, 205mm overall, weight 161g

Specification

Knife Model: Koji Hara KH-550 M-390 Perfect Mirror Polish, Custom Utility Steak Knife "Silver Tanto"
Blade Material: M-390 Mirror Polished
Rockwell Hardness (HRc): 60 to 62 
Handle Material: Mirror Polished Stainless steel handle with custom-hand-inlaid black mother of pearl inlay and the meticulous hammer pattern
Overall Length: 205mm 
Blade Length: 100mm 
Blade Thickness: 3.6mm 
Weight: 161g

This knife comes with 50/50 double bevel edge geometry for both right and left handed use.

For your information, Japanese Kitchen knives are generally designed for right hand use with a slightly thicker and rounded grinding on the right side blade and a less rounded (almost straight flat) grinding on the left side blade. However, both right and left hander can use the knives. 

We believe the quality and cutting performance of Japanese knives are the best in the world, and hope you enjoy fine craftsmanship and sharp edge with your new knife. With proper cares, every Japanese knife should be your special cooking partner for long times.

Important

This is the Powdered High Speed Tool Steel blade kitchen knife that has a rust resistance for easy maintenance. However, it may get rust, if kept in wet condition.

• Please do not put the knife in the dishwasher machine for cleaning.
• Please do not leave the knife in water or wet condition for long time.
• After using, please hand wash the blade, bolster and handle thoroughly, and wipe it clean and dry with soft clothes, and keep it in dry place.
• This is an extremely sharp knife. Please use special cares in using and storing it.
• Unlike German made knives, Japanese knife blades are ground to thin cutting edge for sharper cutting and easier re-sharpening. Please protect the edge from hitting hard materials to avoid chipping or cracking.
• Please do not use it to cut bone or frozen foods, any hard shell foods such as lobster and crab.
• We recommend using Japanese whetstones to re-sharpen the knife, when it gets dull.