Korin_Mari
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“The blade, saya, handle - All was crafted under Mr. Sugai and Mr. Mizuyama’s instructions, crafted specially for Korin for our Masamoto company’s first special collaboration.” - Masamoto Company
This new knife came in last December, and we never really showed it off half as much as we should have. It is gorgeous and my favorite knife to just admire, so I decided that it was going to be my first knife post on this forum. I really believe that simple is best, and I think the Kizuna series is a beautiful explain of this saying.
Forging the Bond
We are honored and excited to announce Masamoto’s first ever knife collaboration with Korin. These knives are expertly forged and crafted by the very best blacksmiths and edge crafters in Japan and are 100% hand-made.
The Blade
Forged from Shiro-ichi, the purest form of carbon and one of the most difficult types of steel to work with. The shiro-ichi steel is very close to a tamahagane steel, which is a precious metal used for forging traditional samurai sword. The resulting blade has superior edge and a fluid cutting feel. To ensure perfection, each blade is hand inspected, checked and sharpened by Japan’s number one Grand Master Sharpener, Shozo Mizuyama.
The Handle
The magnolia, octagonal handle is fitted with water buffalo horn on the bolster and butt cap to ensure a comfortable feel in the hand. The two dark wooden bands are crafted from Bubinga wood, the thickest tree in the world and an African hardwood. Bubinga is regarded as a wood imbued with spirituality, and the tree that gives birth to the gods.
The Cover
The Japanese characters, written on the saya cover “Rensei kouha mikakusho,” allude to the knife having not only superior edge to create beautiful cuisine, but also a blade that will enhance the flavor of the food on the plate.
Translation “To forge the blade from it’s liquid steel state, hammer out the impurities to produce a blade that creates a beautiful presentation and makes the ingredients taste better.”
The meaning behind the name "Kizuna"
The red kanji stamp on the blade of the knife, kizuna, is the Japanese word for ‘bond’ or ‘connection’. The Kizuna represents the bond between the knife craftsmen and the chefs who use these knives, as well as the Masamoto company, Mr. Mizuyama and Korin. The goal of the craftsmen who make these knives is to truly forge a bond between themselves and the chefs who use these knives. We hope that you feel this kizuna when you use these very special knives from Masamoto.