Nigara forge and turquoise stone
Creative craftsman Go Yoshizawa brings exceptional talent to the family business at the Nigara Forge, one of the most renowned forges in Japan and the world. This forge is famous for its exceptional damascus work, a technique that creates unique patterns in steel. In addition to its damascus expertise, Yoshizawa-san has also explored new horizons by using innovative materials to create exceptional knives. Among these materials is turquoise stone. He discovered that turquoise, with its natural beauty and strength, is a perfect material for making knife handles. Thus, the Nigara forge and its artisan blacksmiths continue to dazzle us with knives as beautiful as they are effective, combining tradition and innovation through the creative use of, among other things, turquoise in their creations.
SG2 powdered steel
Super Gold 2, abbreviated SG2, is a high-carbon stainless steel that was developed by Takefu Special Steel Co Ltd in 1991, in Fukui Prefecture, Takefu, Echizen. This steel for cutlery is the result of powder metallurgy, an innovative process in which steel is transformed into very fine grains, then brought together to form a homogeneous granular structure. This method gives SG2 a remarkable quality: it is both easy to sharpen and incredibly durable. With a hardness of up to 64 HRC, it offers exceptional sharpness, making it a highly prized steel in the world of Japanese cutlery. Takefu Special Steel Co Ltd's aim was to create a steel that was superior in every respect, whether in terms of hardness, edge retention, durability and much more. Although production of SG2 by the company has ceased, many companies continue to manufacture knives using almost identical steels, such as Kobelco's R2, which shares the same outstanding characteristics as SG2.
Turquoise stone characteristics
Turquoise stone, with its distinctive color and multiple cultural implications, is a gem that has fascinated for millennia. With tones ranging from greenish blue to azure green, this gemstone often evokes vast, clear skies and soothing waters. It has played a significant role in many ancient civilizations, being used for ornamental, ritual and medicinal purposes. Native Americans, for example, regarded turquoise as a sacred stone, believing it to bring protection and good fortune. Today, turquoise remains prized for its natural beauty and uniqueness, making it a popular stone for jewelry. It embodies the spirit of travel and adventure, while carrying with it the richness of its cultural heritage. Turquoise can reach a hardness of between 5 and 6 on the Mohs scale. This makes it a medium-hard stone that is easy for craftsmen to carve and polish, as well as being comfortable to hold.
