Help identify Usuba

[M1k3]

I picked this up recently, because I don't know. N+1?

Anyway, I'm pretty sure it's Kikuichi. If not, let me know.

Just not sure which model this is. Judging by the small amount of superficial rust near the handle, I'm pretty sure it's not their Ginsan one.


Thanks for looking. Appreciate any help.

 

[aporigine]

that’s the Kikuichi flower stamp

 

[Qapla']

Kikuichi. Not sure which series; the kanji on the ura are 本鍛錬 (hontanren "Original Forging"; a better description can be found here) which many vendors tend to associate with their nicer lines (though the term itself does not per se imply it).

 

[M1k3]

that’s the Kikuichi flower stamp

Thanks Captain Obvious!

Kikuichi. Not sure which series; the kanji on the ura are 本鍛錬 (hontanren "Original Forging"; a better description can be found here) which many vendors tend to associate with their nicer lines.

That's what I was worried about. Oh well.

 

[refcast]

https://kikuichi.net/collections/usuba

 

[M1k3]

https://kikuichi.net/collections/usuba

I've looked there several times. Still not sure how to differentiate between the two White paper models...

 

[refcast]

And

https://kikuichihamono.com/

Yeah I'm trying to find ura pics too. But hontanren is very rare to see on white 3, those are usually betsu jo

 

[Qapla']

I've looked there several times. Still not sure how to differentiate between the two White paper models...

Maybe email them and ask about what inscriptions are on the ura's of their models?

I suspect it's one of their nicer models, so you probably don't have much to worry about, but if you want to be sure that might be one possibility.

 

[aporigine]

Thanks Captain Obvious! View attachment 336092

That's what I was worried about. Oh well.

I’ve been promoted. Try to keep up.

 

[refcast]

Do you have pics of the tip? The different models have a different finish. Kasumitogi is media blasted, the kasumi (more expensive one) is not. Yours is probably the kasumi one based on the ura, since kasumitogi are often media blasted on the back too. Also the kasumitogi often gave messy, concave grinds, and I don't see huge low spots on yours (it's a nice even wide bevel)

 

[M1k3]

Do you have pics of the tip? The different models have a different finish. Kasumitogi is media blasted, the kasumi (more expensive one) is not. Yours is probably the kasumi one based on the ura, since kasumitogi are often media blasted on the back too. Also the kasumitogi often gave messy, concave grinds, and I don't see huge low spots on yours (it's a nice even wide bevel)

I'll take some pictures when I get home. Just snapped these on my way out.

Would the whole blade face be media blasted? Or just the bevel for that "fake" kasumi look?

 

[refcast]

The wide bevel is media blasted, so the area below the shinogi. I looked up more kikuichi, and there are like 3, it gets confusing. Ise kikuichi, kikuichimonji, kikuichi (which may or may not be Nara kikuichi, because they have different branding). Idk

Comparing the images. Top is kasumi (grind marks are visible and lighter haze on iron), bottom is kasumitogi (darker haze).

Also, on the kasumitogi, the blade face grind marks are almost horizontal. On the kasumi it's diagonal.

 

[M1k3]

Definitely looks like the kasumi one to me.

Thanks for the help.

 

[refcast]

One more slightly obscure tip. . . On higher end knives, Japanese knife retailers often put on a handle with heart wood or older wood that is a bit denser, darker, harder, while cheaper knives have a more porous and light wood, and sometimes unwaxed, less polished