Ao Kasumi Ai-Deba

[Commitment to forged]

We employ "authentic forging (hand-finished forging)" to bring out the highest performance potential hidden within the steel (hagane).
By carefully forging at low temperatures, we achieve the steel's inherent superior qualities such as sharpness, flexibility, and uniformity. Low-temperature forging is a labor-intensive and time-consuming method that limits production to only a small quantity of knives. However, Nenohi insists on low-temperature forging because it is a crucial process that significantly affects the knife's performance.

[Check for hardness to all Honyaki knives]

All of Nenohi's Kasumi knives are strictly checked for hardness. We aim to create a manufacturing method that does not rely solely on the intuition of the craftsman, through precise inspection using the latest technology, of steel knives made using traditional manufacturing methods. Further quality improvement and stability are achieved.

[Commitment to precision molding]

Nenohi's Japanese knives are subjected to "precision molding" that can only be done by ace rank craftsmen at the head office factory. The ideal Japanese knife shape is achieved by almost completely eliminating "distortions and unevenness on the flat/back surface" that cannot be corrected by the user in general. (The more accurately the user sharpens, the more the Shinogi line/back side shape is prevented from collapsing.) In addition to the same precision polishing of the part that touches the hand when using it, such as the spine/heel, it has been polished round to achieve a stress-free grip and use.
Nenohi's precision molding, which can be called "ultra-precision", enables practical use, which can be said to be the essence of Japanese knives, and this precise shape, which is practical to the limit, further enhances the beauty of the knife.

[Selection and attachment of handles with a focus on ease of use]

Nenohi uses "octagonal handles" for Japanese knives. Each time you grip the knife, you can hold it at the same angle, allowing for precise knife control through consistent reproducibility with continued use. We design the handles in-house, inspect each finished handle, and select only those of superior quality. During the "handle attaching" process, we emphasize creating proper hand balance (making the tip lighter) and attaching the knife perfectly straight.
The gap between the knife and handle is filled by carving and inserting "matching material (magnolia wood for magnolia handles, ebony for ebony handles)," making even the handle joints beautiful and preventing gaps from widening with extended use. Additionally, we impregnate heated wax into invisible crevices to prevent rust from water penetration and extend the handle's lifespan. This represents our commitment to ensuring you can use quality knives for many years.