Shoichi Hashimoto Black Damascus Coreless Gyuto 240mm Snakewood
Out of stock? Add it to your wishlist to be notified when it's back in stock!
Store availability
*Transfer available between stores, contact us at info@staysharpmtl.com or 514-503-1185 (MTL) / 418- 440-7770 (QC)
Please note
Each handle is unique and may feature distinct variations, such as different shades or colors in the buffalo horn, which is part of its authentic, handcrafted character.
Description
Shoichi Hashimoto calls himself a "knife modeler" (造形刃物作家). You might be wondering, what does a knife modeler eat in the winter? Once you've looked through some of his work, it suddenly makes perfect sense: Shoichi is an artist, a sculptor, and a knifemaker. Shoichi always designs his work from scratch, then crafts all the necessary components, forges the Damascus steel himself, and even sharpens the knife—a 100% one-man job.
Born in Hiroshima City in 1982, Shoichi graduated from Hiroshima City University with a degree in design and modeling and continued as a research assistant in metal arts and design.
Under the guidance of his master Takanori Mikami, Shoichi actively crafted incredibly beautiful Damascus knives and won numerous awards over the years.
You might be wondering why I've never heard of Hashimoto. Interestingly, he's a guy who still uses an old flip-flop phone, takes orders by fax, and communicates via email. As a result, he has no social media presence and has little online presence (contrary to the social media trend).
Shoichi often attends knife shows, including the Seki Knife Show, the Tokyo Knife Show, and even the New York Custom Knife Show. So, next time you see Shoichi at a knife show, check out his work and say hello.
While its design is certainly breathtaking, its forging skills are also very high. Its signature 72-layer blue/white core is made by forging together Aogami #2 and Shirogami #2 steel. As you may know, blue and white steel have different heat treatment temperature ranges and the overlap area is very narrow. Shoichi is able to perfectly heat treat the 72-layer core in this narrow region, resulting in a hard blue/white Damascus steel that, in my opinion, "Kireaji (切れ味, cutting-edge feel) is second to none."
Some of Shoichi's work can only be described as "extravagant." Being able to come up with such bold designs is one thing; executing them with such a high level of detail and finish is simply breathtaking.
This piece is probably the most beautiful I've ever received at the store! It's simply stunning!
Tips for best results
Make sure your knife will deliver its absolute best by having it professionally sharpened at least once a year. Please note that our meticulously handcrafted Japanese knives are – unless otherwise noted – carbon steel and not stainless steel. To prevent rust, make sure the blades are patted dry – especially when cutting acidic items. Never cut frozen foods, hard products, bone, or twist the blade when using. Never soak in water after use or put in the dishwasher. After use, store in a cool, dry place and avoid high temperature fluctuations.
Our commitment to you – our customers
Warranty
Every knife we carry has a lifetime warranty from manufacturing defects and errors. For example, if the handle becomes detached or cracks appear after a few weeks of proper use. Or if there are any blade cracks from the edge to the spine. While such defects are indeed rare, they can occur. In such cases, we will exchange the knife in question or give you a refund. Each warranty case is different depending on the criteria, and we reserve the right in each and every case to evaluate the applicability of our lifetime warranty in the event of any manufacturing defects and errors.
After-Sales service
Do you get the feeling that your knife just can’t “cut it”?
Each knife we carry is supplied with a so-called “factory edge”. Our chef knife range comprises more than 200 different products. While all our handcrafted Japanese knives ship with a “factory edge”, ultimate blade sharpness can vary. If you feel that your knife’s blade edge is not performing to its full potential, feel free to contact us and we will provide you with professional sharpening for free!
Oops! What about the truly Unthinkable?
Was it just through a slight slip of the hand that your knife accidentally fell on the floor and damaged its tip and blade, or it was used to cut a hard, frozen product and chipped? Don’t despair, get in touch with us and we will solve the problem through our in-house, professional sharpening and repair service.
Simply contact us or visit our store to get a free estimate.
