Traditional Japanese Hunters

with Rayskin Handles

Takeshi Saji produces knives using the traditional Japanese method of forging. This involves the heating of the steel and base iron in a furnace, hammering it to the required size and finishing the blade using a technique known as hizukuri tanzo. In Takefu, where Exhizen hammered blades are produced, this technique has been handed down for 700 years. A third generation forger, Saji began making blades at the age of 16. At the age of 45, he passed the test to be designated a traditional Japanese craftsman.
Saji knives are made using the very best materials. The White Steel center core of the 7-1/4" blade, which provides the cutting edge, is a pure carbon steel with a Rockwell hardness above 60. Each side consists of 11 layer Suminagashi, the Japanese equivalent of Damasteel. This is high-carbon tool steel and must be protected against rust. We have included a bottle of RustFree? to coat the blade and guard against rust.
The 4-1/2" handle is carved from a very dense and very hard wood and then wrapped with dyed ray skin. The single guard and butt ring are steel. The scabbard is traditional Japanese, carved from a light weight, soft wood then wrapped with the same skin as the knife handle and finished with stands of bamboo to hold it all together. The knife is held in the scabbard by using the lanyard to tie it, in traditional Japanese fashion. The knife measures 11-7/8" tip to butt and weighs 9.8 oz. Signed in Japanese by the maker. Handmade in Japan.

Saji Traditional Japanese Hunters red ray skin

(A) SAJ-TS90RD: $395.00

Saji Traditional Japanese Hunters black ray skin

(B) SAJ-TS90BK: $395.00