Jiro Nakagawa

Hand forged in Nagano by blacksmith Jiro Nakagawa.

Jiro-san's knives are warikomi forged by hand. Warikomi is the process of creating a san-mai blade but instead of layering the steel in between the cladding layer, a piece glowing iron is split, then the hard steel core is inserted into the opening and the two pieces are then forged into solid piece. The knives are then ground and finished by hand according to traditional techniques.

There are little industrial processes employed in Jiro knives, therefore not many knives are produced but the quality is top notch. Jiro's water quenched temper and careful heat treatments are exceptional, making the edge formation and retention excellent while being supported with a great sharpenability.

Each knife is individually numbered and is considered one of one. The knives shown in this collection are representative of what we have been lucky enough to offer. New Jiro knives are listed for auction as we receive them.