I would have to say that for me the top three are:
Okishiba Masakuni
Genkai Masakuni
Tatsuo Ikeda
I think that Okishiba Masakuni knives have a mystical reputation, a tragic life of one of the most gifted smiths of all time, his contribution to the Honyaki as we know it today is priceless, to get a “like new” condition of any Honyaki by him would hold the top spot in my collection.
Genkai Masakuni is the only apprentice to Okishiba Masakuni, he is known to have carried on the level of quality of his master, and produces what could be argued as the best knives in the world. His Honyaki get wild and having something like a Fuji 390mm yanagiba would be in the top three of my collection as well.
Tatsuo Ikeda is another tale of a life to short Brother to Yoshikazu Ikeda, and coming from a family of smiths, Tatsuo Ikedas work was regarded much like Okishiba’s in that he made what others strive a lifetime for seem easy and something they were born to do, he would produce unique Honyaki with materials like Tamahagane. He could challenge any other knife made at the time. I would be lying if I said scarcity wasn’t a factor but I believe his work is truly worthy of a top three place in anyone’s list.
So what are your guys favorite smiths and if you could have any smith make a Honyaki for you whos would you want? I would have to go for the OG Okishiba Masakuni!
Okishiba Masakuni
Genkai Masakuni
Tatsuo Ikeda
I think that Okishiba Masakuni knives have a mystical reputation, a tragic life of one of the most gifted smiths of all time, his contribution to the Honyaki as we know it today is priceless, to get a “like new” condition of any Honyaki by him would hold the top spot in my collection.
Genkai Masakuni is the only apprentice to Okishiba Masakuni, he is known to have carried on the level of quality of his master, and produces what could be argued as the best knives in the world. His Honyaki get wild and having something like a Fuji 390mm yanagiba would be in the top three of my collection as well.
Tatsuo Ikeda is another tale of a life to short Brother to Yoshikazu Ikeda, and coming from a family of smiths, Tatsuo Ikedas work was regarded much like Okishiba’s in that he made what others strive a lifetime for seem easy and something they were born to do, he would produce unique Honyaki with materials like Tamahagane. He could challenge any other knife made at the time. I would be lying if I said scarcity wasn’t a factor but I believe his work is truly worthy of a top three place in anyone’s list.
So what are your guys favorite smiths and if you could have any smith make a Honyaki for you whos would you want? I would have to go for the OG Okishiba Masakuni!