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Honyaki

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Honyaki heat treatment relies on a single steel blade with differential heat treatment as opposed to san-mai or clad and layered construction. Each blade is coated with clay prior to quenching, with a thicker layer along the spine. This causes the spine section of the blade to cool at a slower rate to a higher temperature during the quench, giving the blade more resilience along the spine. The clay is often applied in decorative patterns for aesthetic appeal.

Mizu Honyaki, or water quench honyaki makes for the hardest possible edge but due to the rapid heat loss during the quench, it has a high failure/fracture rate even for experienced smiths. Abura Honyaki, or oil quench honyaki also makes for a very hard edge but the heat loss happens at a slower rate to a higher temperature resulting in lower failure rate but less hardness than mizu honyaki.

Honyaki knives typically have higher edge performance in reference to sharpenability, edge retention and finish due to their very high hardness. They are typically not suited for first-time users of Japanese knives as they require a certain level of skill and technique to avoid chipping and otherwise damaging the very hard cutting edge. High quality wooden cutting boards are best and hand wash and hand drying is required. The knives will take on a patina with use but will rust is left dirty or wet.

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Rolin Knives Honyaki 210mm Gyuto W2 Carbon Argentine Lignum Vitae with Saya

Rolin Knives Honyaki 210mm Gyuto W2 Carbon Argentine Lignum Vitae with Saya

$950.00
$950.00
Hatsukokuro Nakagawa 270mm Kiritsuke Yanagi Shirogami 3 Abura Honyaki Ebony Blonde Buffalo Horn

Hatsukokuro Nakagawa 270mm Kiritsuke Yanagi Shirogami 3 Abura Honyaki Ebony Blonde Buffalo Horn

$954.00
$954.00
Hatsukokoro Nakagawa 270mm Yanagi Shirogami 3 Abura Honyaki Kyomen Ebony Blonde Buffalo Horn

Hatsukokoro Nakagawa 270mm Yanagi Shirogami 3 Abura Honyaki Kyomen Ebony Blonde Buffalo Horn

$868.00
$868.00
Rolin Knives Honyaki 230mm Gyuto W2 Cocobolo and Oak

Rolin Knives Honyaki 230mm Gyuto W2 Cocobolo and Oak

$1,050.00
$1,050.00
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Rolin Knives Honyaki 200mm W2 Curly Walnut & Maple with Brass

Rolin Knives Honyaki 200mm W2 Curly Walnut & Maple with Brass

$815.00
$815.00
Hatsukokoro Nakagawa 300mm Kiritsuke Yanagi Shirogami 3 Abura Honyaki Kyomen Ebony Blonde Buffalo Horn

Hatsukokoro Nakagawa 300mm Kiritsuke Yanagi Shirogami 3 Abura Honyaki Kyomen Ebony Blonde Buffalo Horn

$968.00
$968.00
Nigara Hamono 360mm Sakimaru Yanagi Aogami 2 Mizu Honyaki Karin Burl Double Horn

Nigara Hamono 360mm Sakimaru Yanagi Aogami 2 Mizu Honyaki Karin Burl Double Horn

$3,548.00
$3,548.00
Nigara Hamono 300mm Sakimaru Yanagi Aogami 2 Honyaki Karin Burl Double Horn Handle

Nigara Hamono 300mm Sakimaru Yanagi Aogami 2 Honyaki Karin Burl Double Horn Handle

$2,789.00
$2,789.00
Nigara Hamono 270mm Yanagi Shirogami 1 Mizu Honyaki Karin Burl Double Horn

Nigara Hamono 270mm Yanagi Shirogami 1 Mizu Honyaki Karin Burl Double Horn

$2,100.00
$2,100.00
Hatsukokoro Nakagawa 300mm Yanagi Shirogami 3 Abura Honyaki Kyomen Ebony Blonde Buffalo Horn

Hatsukokoro Nakagawa 300mm Yanagi Shirogami 3 Abura Honyaki Kyomen Ebony Blonde Buffalo Horn

$968.00
$968.00
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Hitohira Togashi 300mm Yanagi Shirogami 1 Mizu Honyaki Finish Tahei Ebony Horn with Saya

Hitohira Togashi 300mm Yanagi Shirogami 1 Mizu Honyaki Finish Tahei Ebony Horn with Saya

$1,295.00
$1,295.00
Hitohira Togashi 330mm Yanagi Shirogami 1 Mizu Honyaki Taihei Ebony with Saya

Hitohira Togashi 330mm Yanagi Shirogami 1 Mizu Honyaki Taihei Ebony with Saya

$1,575.00
$1,575.00