This Nigara Hamono SG2 Kurouchi Tsuchime Nakiri Kiritsuke is a Japanese knife with a rectangular blade, designed primarily for cutting vegetables. Its nakiri profile with a kiritsuke-style tip provides good contact with the cutting board, while featuring a more pronounced tip for precise cuts. The blade features an SG2 steel core, a powder-metal stainless steel known for its excellent edge retention, with a visible sanmai construction along the temper line.
The finish combines a dark kurouchi on the upper part of the blade with a subtle tsuchime hammering, creating a textured and contrasting surface. The polished bevel reveals the transition line between the steels, while the straight edge shape facilitates clean cuts whether pushing or pulling. The Western-style handle in synthetic turquoise provides a full, stable grip, featuring decorative rivets and a metal bolster.
In the kitchen, this size is particularly well-suited for vegetables, herbs, firm fruits, and vegetable preparations requiring consistency and precision. The tall blade helps guide the fingers and transfer cut food. Its kiritsuke tip also allows for detailed work, but this knife remains less versatile than a gyuto for tasks involving a lot of curving or boning.
SG2 steel requires less maintenance than carbon steel, but it is still recommended to rinse and dry the blade after use. As with any Japanese knife with a fine edge, avoid cutting through bones, frozen foods, twisting the blade sideways, and using cutting boards that are too hard.
Care
Rinse and dry after each use. Never wash in the dishwasher. Regular sharpening on water stones will maintain the edge over time.
