Present of the custom handle_Nenohi Record Vol_6

1. (Particularity of handle attachment)

 -Matching a handle with a completed blade

Nenohi's custom-made handles will begin production after the blade is completed. Since the order is a custom-made knife, the shape, width, and thickness will vary depending on the customer's request.
Our craftsmen make adjustments to achieve the optimum balance for each of the various types of knives. We are now able to produce handles that fulfill the customer's ideal, such as changing the thickness of the handle according to the customer's request.

 -Creating a unit of a handle and blade

In order to make the gap between the nakago(tang) and the handle as close to zero as possible, we divide the base material in two parts, and then make a hollow on each divided part . The base material, which is divided into two parts, is hollowed out along the shape of the nakago. Finally, the two pieces of base material are glued together.

The detailed and elaborate processing like this makes it possible to make the custom-made “detachable” handles, in which the knife and handle can be detached from each other. Even if the handle is not detachable, the craftsmen can fix the knife and handle in an ideal position, creating the “sense of unity of the blade and handle” that our craftsman intends for the customer to “hold the knife in this position”.

2.(Selection of materials)

 -Use of Pure Silver

Nenohi uses “pure silver” for our custom handles. Only those containing 99.9% silver can be called “pure silver." The reason why we use pure silver is because of its beauty. It is worth using for our ideal custom-made knives.
We purchase pure silver in the form of a “plate". We cut out and process the silver according to the shape and thickness of each handle and the design of the handle requested by the customer, then we are able to create a one-off (one-of-a-kind) custom-made handle.

 -Base material with many choices

As explained in Nenohi Record vol_5, we have introduced materials other than natural materials for the base option of the custom handle at an early stage of Nenohi. The advantage of artificial and high-tech materials is that they do not change much over time. The introduction of these materials was also made possible by our craftsmen's desire to pursue "ultimate ease of use” for our customers.
Today, there are more than 10 choices of the base materials, and by changing the material of the bolster and the number of rings on the handle, many various combinations are selectable. We are proud of ourselves that we are able to propose multiple designs according to the preference of the user. It is one of the things we can only do for our customers.
We are still embarking on finding a new base material to add another essence to the custom handle. This time, we just announced the "dry silver” for the custom handle, which has been very popular in NENOX series.

Sometimes, the level of difficulty in processing materials is challenging, and many times trial and error is repeated be fore developing phase. Those continuous trials of new materials and then developing new products come from the endeavour of the craftsmen.

3. The handle shape designed for ease of use