Takada no Hamono Blacksmith Question

[Genghis_F]

I thought Tanaka forges Takada knives, but occasionally see Shiraki listed.
Is there a way to easily tell who forges what? Or is shiraki no longer associated?
And is M Takada is the sharpener for all Takada knives?

Sorry for if this is basic

TIA

 

[toddnmd]

AFAIK, Takada sharpens everything from his shop.
He gets forged work from Y Tanaka and Nakagawa, who took over for the now retired Shiraki.

 

[Heckel7302]

I know Tanaka forges the Blue 1. I think Nakagawa for ginsan. Not sure about the others, but it's one of the two.

 

[OkayMode]

All this time I’ve been duking it out during limited retailer drops and I could have just ordered a Takada via IG?!

 

[Genghis_F]

All this time I’ve been duking it out during limited retailer drops and I could have just ordered a Takada via IG?!

Im not sure about the lead time for those
I chatted with him about visiting the shop
He’s very nice and welcoming. I’ve been told that stock on hand is pretty limited so not sure I’ll have anymore success scoring one when im there in person next month

 

[esoo]

All this time I’ve been duking it out during limited retailer drops and I could have just ordered a Takada via IG?!

From what I understand, he doesn't ship outside of Japan.

 

[crosscut]

I know Tanaka forges the Blue 1. I think Nakagawa for ginsan. Not sure about the others, but it's one of the two.

From what Mitsuaki-san told me on IG, Tanaka forges Blue 1 and White 2 ( He mentioned they are his favorite ) and the rest are by Nakagawa. I recently ordered a 210mm Blue 1 non Damascus Suiboku which I will pick up in person next month.

 

[esoo]

From what Mitsuaki-san told me on IG, Tanaka forges Blue 1 and White 2 ( He mentioned they are his favorite ) and the rest are by Nakagawa. I recently ordered a 210mm Blue 1 non Damascus Suiboku which I will pick up in person next month.

Looking at old listings at Tosho, White 1 was done by Tanaka as well.

 

[OkayMode]

From what I understand, he doesn't ship outside of Japan.

Phew, I’m relieved to be honest!

 

[jedy617]

He also does blue one Damascus from nakagawa occasionally. Maybe his normal blue 1 too. You can tell here with the different Damascus:

I'd be happy with either. Both are great (just from a visual perspective I like Tanaka's Damascus more though)

 

[samjj234]

He also does blue one Damascus from nakagawa occasionally. Maybe his normal blue 1 too. You can tell here with the different Damascus:

I'd be happy with either. Both are great (just from a visual perspective I like Tanaka's Damascus more though)

It is my understanding that he has only made one Suminagashi forged by Nakagawa and it was for Nakagawa's personal use and he does not offer them for sale. (for Gyutos at least)

 

[jedy617]

Ah, cool

 

[Genghis_F]

From what Mitsuaki-san told me on IG, Tanaka forges Blue 1 and White 2 ( He mentioned they are his favorite ) and the rest are by Nakagawa. I recently ordered a 210mm Blue 1 non Damascus Suiboku which I will pick up in person next month.

Did you order on IG? Is there a process to order or just tell him what you’re looking for?
Maybe I should try to get an order in first

 

[samjj234]

Did you order on IG? Is there a process to order or just tell him what you’re looking for?
Maybe I should try to get an order in first

I would tell him what date you will be in Japan and ask him what he will have available at that time.

 

[crosscut]

Did you order on IG? Is there a process to order or just tell him what you’re looking for?
Maybe I should try to get an order in first

I just mentioned that I would be traveling to Japan, I told him I was interested in a Gyuto and if it would be possible to pick one up in person. He asked which steel I preferred. I asked him what his favs are and he mentioned Blue 1 and White 2. I choose 210mm Blue 1 with a Rosewood handle.

He gave me the following pricing:

Suiboku Gyuto 210mm White 2
Rosewood - 46970 JPY
Ebony - 53900 JPY

Suiboku Gyuto 210mm Ginsan
Rosewood - 55000JPY
Ebony - 61930JPY

Suiboku Gyuto 210mm Blue 1
Rosewood - 56380JPY
Ebony - 63310JPY

To clarify, yes this was all through IG.

 

[More_Gyutos]

Looking at old listings at Tosho, White 1 was done by Tanaka as well.

Yes, some shops seem to have specifically requested certain smiths for the knives they got, so Carbon for example has Y Tanaka forged knives.

 

[toddnmd]

If you have particular dimensions in mind, that would also be good to discuss at time of ordering. Most of the 240s are going to run standard Sakai short at around 230. A lot of them are not very tall at the heel, either, often around 45ish mm, which is too short for my preferences.

 

[Heckel7302]

If you have particular dimensions in mind, that would also be good to discuss at time of ordering. Most of the 240s are going to run standard Sakai short at around 230. A lot of them are not very tall at the heel, either, often around 45ish mm, which is too short for my preferences.

Still enjoying the one I got from you a few years back. Inspired to pull it out for dinner prep.

 

[jedy617]

More nakagawa?

 

[MowgFace]

One of each, please!

 

[Genghis_F]

One of each, please!

View attachment 254440

I hope he has an assortment when I visit him nex month

 

[M1k3]

I hope he has an assortment when I visit him nex month

Mazaki takes visitors?

 

[blokey]

Not me

 

[jimbobali]

I hope he has an assortment when I visit him nex month

This is what he had in stock last month.

 

[blokey]

This is what he had in stock last month.

Love that Yo handle gyuto, how much is that?

 

[jimbobali]

Love that Yo handle gyuto, how much is that?

Unfortunately I only got pics from my wife and I can't quite read the prices in the pic. She went to Japan and all I got was a lousy T-shirt

Joking, I got a T-shirt and a petty from him