About the Maker - Naoki Mazaki

Naoki Mazaki (眞崎直樹) is a relatively young knife maker based in Sanjo, Niigata. After spending 5 years working as an apprentice at Yoshikane Hamono, Mazaki-san decided to pursue a more traditional way of making knives. Working as a solo blacksmith, Mazaki-san produces knives alone in his workshop with all aspects of the production taken care by him, all by hand.

About the Shape - Nakiri

The Nakiri (菜切り) knife is a Western-style Japanese vegetable knife with a thin and broad rectangular blade, a straight cutting edge, and a flat, blunt tip. It is specifically designed to excel at quickly and efficiently chopping, slicing, dicing and mincing vegetables.

About the Steel - Shirogami

Developed by Hitachi Metals in Japan, the Shirogami (White) series steel is very popular steel among Japanese knife makers. Reasons behind its popularity include easy to sharpen and good edge retention. Special care must be taken as knives made with these steels are prone to rust.

About the Finish - Kurouchi

Kurouchi (黒打ち) refers to the darkened steel surface as a result from the forging process which forms a coating of oxide. It is the most rusting finish of all but gives knives a traditional character.

About the Finish - Nashiji

Nashiji (梨子地) literally translates to pear-fruit-skin as the finish imitates the skin of an Asian pear. This finish is created by polishing away the dark oxides while retaining the rough texture. Some may say Nashiji is in the middle between Kurouchi and Migaki.

Naoki Mazaki Shirogami Kurouchi Nashiji Nakiri 165mm

Maker

Knife Type

Steel

Finish - Kurouchi

Finish - Nashiji

Shipping

Returns

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