Kaede Honyaki Kiritsuke Yanagi

[Commitment to solid composition]

NenohiI specializes in knife construction using a single raw material known as "solid," which delivers superior cutting performance. (Solid construction)
This method, also called "hon-yaki" or "full steel," becomes extremely challenging when maximizing a knife's performance capabilities. It brings out the full potential of the steel material and features remarkably minimal warping or bending during both production and use.
This solid construction achieves the demanding knife performance that Nenohi envisions.
It represents the pinnacle of knife-making that Nenohi has reached through accumulated research and refinement.

[Heat treatment to maximize the performance of each steel material]

Through years of research, we have been meticulously studying how different heat treatment methods can bring carefully selected steel from manufacturers around the world closer to ideal knife performance.
In our unique heat treatment recipes that go beyond conventional theories, we precisely calculate "how" to raise temperatures to specific degrees Celsius and "how" to lower them. By employing advanced heat treatment techniques such as special quenching that ensures uniform temperature control for each individual knife and rapid cooling to -196°C known as "cryogenic treatment (ultra-sub-zero)," we achieve the highest knife performance for each grade.

[Commitment to quality]

Kaede-Honyaki undergoes stringent hardness testing using the latest advanced measuring equipment. This is an essential process to ensure that each individual knife consistently delivers the highest quality performance.
Through precise inspections utilizing cutting-edge technology, we have established a scientific manufacturing method that doesn't rely solely on craftsmen's intuition, achieving further quality improvement and stability.

[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.