UP!!                                                                              Now Available!!
     New Batch of FH-1(C)(E), FH-3(C)(E), FH-6(C)(E) and FH-7(C)(E) Gyuto240mm   

         Hattori Forums FH Series Special Editions

                                  Cocobolo wood Handle version & Ebony wood handle version

Hattori Forums FH Series Special Editions of Cocobolo wood Handle version & Ebony wood handle version.

Since JCK has introduced our exclusive Hattori Forums FH Series High-end knives about 3 years ago (Designed by Knife Enthusiasts (KnifeForums members) and manufactured by Premier Knifemaker, Hattori), we have received many positive responses from professional chefs and serious home users. Many people are now enjoying Hattori’s quality workmanship and practical design of FH knives.

  First models came with Hand Contoured Black Linen Micarta Handles that offered extra durability, water resistance, secured grip and unique layered pattern.  Hattori Furoms FH Series Linen Micarta Handle Version

  For these special editions, we have worked with Hattori to produce natural wood handle version which makes different taste from the first models.  With Hattori’s advice, we have selected Cocobolo wood and Ebony wood.

  The Cocobolo wood has a light brown color with unique & beautiful natural woodgrain textures. The African Ebony wood has an elegant look of dark & simple textures.  Hattori’s fine custom hand working process can be seen on its well hand contoured and perfect shaped handle.

  Mr. Hattori believes that the comfortable and well balanced handles are as important as the good blades, so he pays a special attention to the details of not only for the outside looks, but also for the durability against crack and shrinkage that may happen in a long range of use on these natural materials. Before assembling and shaping the handle slabs, each selected wooden block is stabilized in the boiled wax for 3 hours, and then cut into two pieces for matching woodgrain patterns for both sides. In fact, when I first saw and gripped it in my hand, I felt something warmness and comfortable sense of touch with this hand shaped natural wood handle

  Full selections of 14 kinds of Hattori’s beautifully polished solid VG-10 blades (HRC60 to 61) will be available soon with special edition of beautiful Cocobolo Wood Handle and Ebony Wood Handle. However, as always, Hattori production is very slow and limited to ensure a high level of quality and performance.

  Now, the FH-1 Parer 70mm, FH-2 Petty 120mm, FH-3 Petty 150mm, FH-4 Santoku 170mm, FH-5 Boning Knife 160mm, FH-6 Gyuto 210mm, FH-7 Gyuto 240mm and FH-12 Sujihiki 230mm models are available for immediate delivery. We will announce and add other models as soon as they become available.

 We are proud to introduce the premium knife maker Hattori’s fine new products FH Series Special Edition. From serious home chefs to professional chefs, also knife collectors, we can recommend them as one of best quality and fine custom made of great VG-10 Cobalt steel kitchen knives.



Notice: Now, we have started to use new Boxes below for FH-1, FH-2, FH-3, FH-4,FH-5,FH-6, FH-9,FH-10, FH-12, FH-14. The other models will be changed too as soon as old boxes are gone.

        We often heard a good rumor and reputation of the outstanding forge-smith, named "Tsukasa Hinoura" in Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture, another Japan's cutlery producing district of traditional "Echigo" Forged Knives.

        Having our business based in Seki, we have a meeting frequently with major knifemakers in Seki to discuss a production schedule, new products and general matters. While talking with Mr. Hattori, he spoke very well of Mr. Hinoura's work. Since he is a knifemaster who never compromises and admires, I'm bit surprised to see that he has other knifemaker to admire and respect, but I understand only the top level craftsmen can respect each other and share the same feelings. We've heard same story from the knife expert and metallurgist, Mr. Onoue in Seki. He mentioned that Mr. Hinoura's knife is the best in the forged knives both in function and beauty. He has made metal analysis and testing of all kinds of knives, and proved that Mr. Hinoura's knife was in top ranking in every aspect. It can stand hard uses without warping and breaking.

        We are excited to hear these good things from both Seki knife specialists and are eager to introduce the Hinoura knives to our JCK customers as the high-end line.  At the Seki Knife Show in October, we had a chance to see his knives in hands and discuss about his backgrounds and his insistences on knife making. After a month, we finally got 4 knives we have selected at the show. (More coming in December)

        Echigo Blacksmith, Tsukasa Hinoura is the third generation of Blacksmith family. He inherits his family's trade name "Ajigataya", but is also creating his original knives under his "Tsukasa" brand. He is aggressively searching his own way to express his skill and passion to the blades.

        Our first impression of his knives is the "Honed Beauty", and we can recognize his skills, times and passions behind it. It is the perfect knife with beautiful seamless line and form, no sharp corners, no distortion, no gaps etc. He devotes tremendous times from start to finish one knife for every detail.  Unlike some other forgesmiths, he never uses modern machineries and finished clad steels developed by the lastest technologies, because he believes the old fashioned traditional hand works of from forge cladding, Hizukuri forming to a water tempering  can only use his experienced skills and express his soul and passion into the blades.


        For the final finishing, he does a hand honing using the several different grids natural whetstones and spends at least two hours to polish and sharpen one blade. He says the whetstone hand honing is the best to get the sharpest edge of carbon steel blade. This is also very important work, not only to enhance total beauty of the blade apperance and function of the blade performance, but also to check the condition of the steel. He can judge to see if the steel has been treated properly by this stone polishing.   It is the essence that these time-consuming and never-compromising processes make his knives super-outstanding among many forged knives in Japan. When you hold his knife, you will see what we mean, a perfect fusion of the forged carbon steel with clad soft iron on the polished edge line with mysterious sparkling that shows a functional beauty ….

        His basic blade pattern is called “Kitae-Ji” (鍛地), using Shirogami No.2 Carbon Hagane steel core wrapped and layer-forged with wrought irons, and is available in polished finish and blackened finish. To start with, we have selected two new evolved patterns in blackened finish. These new distinct Damascus patterns are from his forging technique to give you a visual joy as well as the highest level of craftsmanship.

1)   Unryu-Mon (雲流紋) clouds flow patterns

        Based on the “Kitae-Ji” pattern, the layers have been twist forged repeatedly, creating unique clouds flow Damascus patterns on entire blade surface including the spine

"Unryu-Mon" Wa Santoku 170mm Unryu-Mon Wa Santoku 170mm Total Length 320mm              Blade Thickness 4.6mm              Total Weight 170g  $976.00 SOLD OUT

"Unryu-Mon" Nakiri 165mm Unryu-Mon Nakiri 165mm Total Length 315mm              Blade Thickness 4.6mm              Total Weight 178g  $976.00 Available Now

2)          Ryusui Tobi Mon (流水飛紋)　sporadic water flow patterns

        After forge-welding different irons and folded several times, adding another iron by twist forging, creating spiral Damascus patterns in sporadic. The patterns run into other side of blade through spine like a water flow

"Tobi-Mon" Wa Santoku 170mm Tobi-Mon Wa Santoku 170mm Total Length 315mm              Blade Thickness 4.5mm              Total Weight 150g  $1164.00  SOLD OUT

"Tobi-Mon" Wa Utility 200mm Tobi-Mon Wa Utility 200mm Total Length 350mm              Blade Thickness 4mm              Total Weight 138g  $1270.00 SOLD OUT

UP!! Nov 26th                                                 Just Released !!
     Master Saji New Design Concept Custom Damascus Series

        Japan's certified Traditional Craftsman, Takeshi Saji is also devoting his time to nurture the young successors. This is very important duty to keep the tradition and technique of the Takefu's "Uchi-Hamono (hand forged knives)" handing down from generation to generation.

       For this purpose, Master Saji is adopting two young workers now at his workshop. One of them is Mr. Yasuhiro Nakayama, 37 years old young man who has joined and is learning traditional knifemaking processes for several years now. It is still too early for him to make his own knife from the beginning to a finishing, but Master Saji has noted his design talent and has collaborated with him to create an unique design series of Chef knives.

        It consists of four (4) essential blades of Petty, Santoku and Gyutos, but their blades and handles have unique shapes and designs. Here are Mr. Nakayama's design concepts.






        The handle is hand contoured and finger grooved with a beveled hole to fit with your hand firmly and comfortably. The blade has a finger rest (stopper) on the back, that can help precise control for a pull stroke (Petty and Gyutos) and a push stoke (Santoku). His suggested two grip styles are shown in the photos, but it's up to you how you grip it.

      The blade is made of VG-10 core forge layered of 63 Nickel and Stainless Damascus steels, and is hamaguri-ba ground to a sharp hand honing edge. This unique series come with a red velvet lined wooden Kiri presentation box, and your choice of three (3) different handle materials, Bonestag, Desert Ironwood and Black/Grey Linen Micarta.

  Since introducing ZDP-189 Damascus Custom Line 2 years ago, we have received many positive responses for it’s modern design, and super cutting performance of ZDP-189 blade. Now, they are many user’s favorite knives. 

  However, the delivery time is always problem with ZDP-189 Damascus Custom Line. Sometimes we had to wait over 6 months for the new batch. We regret the ZDP-189 Damascus custom line won’t be ready to deliver in time for this Holiday season.

   But here, we have good news !!  We are very glad to introduce another Fine Masterpiece from Sanetsu, that is the VG-10 Multi Color Damascus Custom Line.  At this year's Seki Knife Show, we found similar knives to the  ZDP-189 Damascus Custom Line, but different looks, different inlay works of custom handle at Sanetsu table. Mr. Tsukahra has kindly explained the details and characteristic features of these new models. 

  Finely mirror polished beautiful Damascus blade is made of VG-10 core with forge layered Nickel & Stainless Damascus steel, hardened to HRC60 to 61. 

  Same modern&elegant design of custom hand made handle comes with unique and decorative, custom inlay works. Mr. Tsukahara explains the difficulty and the time consuming works for the complicated handle making process.  Making even and same shape of handle for each side, and natural curved and rounded shape via hand contouring process. After this process, the handle become his ideal shape, makes secured grip and well balance. Custom Inlay works also requires precise hand working process for the perfect fit&finish. 

  There is another big difference from existing ZDP-189 Damascus Custom Line. Red, dark green and black color of beautiful and nice accent, Multi Color Copper Damascus layers are appealing from the bolster and handle butt, which makes something special and totally different design from others. 

  For this holiday season, we luckily received special models which were produced for only one time,  only 1Pc or 2Pcs for the display in the showroom and for exhibiting at the knife show. 

  Total 3 kinds of blades and your choices of unique custom handle versions  are available with limited quantity for your holiday shopping.Since introducing ZDP-189 Damascus Custom Line 2 years ago, we have received many positive responses for

        As you see beauty and fine quality of Ryusen Hammer forged kitchen knives from Blazen and Tsuchime Damascus Series (Also Ryusen is the leading producer of Echizen Japan Core-Less Damascus Series),  Ryusen is considered as one of top Makers, especially for the Damascus kitchen knives.

        For this year’s Holiday&Winter season, Ryusen has just finished this special edition item. 

        Beautiful VG-10 core forged with Nickel Damascus stainless steel blade comes with unique Tsuchime dimples. Ryusen's special convex and very thin edge makes precise and detailed cutting performance. 

        Ryusen has selected White&Grey color layered pattern of Paper Micarata for the Handle material. Micarta is one of the most practical handle materials for it’s extra durability, water resistance and fine grips. 

        This special edition is matching for the Winter and Holiday season. Beautifully mirror polished VG-10 Nickel Tsuchime Damascus blade is shining and having fine impact of white color layers (Nickel makes this additional White Layer on the Damascus blade), and White&Grey color layers of Paper Micarata. From the overall looks and design, we can imagine the beautiful nature of white snowing winter scene.

 Special Edition of Ryusen Beautiful Damascus kitchen knife is available for your Holiday shopping with limited quantity.

  Mizuno Tanrenjo is one of the respected Japanese Traditional style knife makers, located in Sakai City, Osaka where is a capital of Japanese Traditional style knives famous for "Hizukuri blades" (hot forging process).

  With a long time of knife making history and high level of craftsmanship&spirits,  Mizuno Tanrenjo has been producing fine Japanese Traditional style knives for over 140 years. Currently 3^rd generation Mizuno Akiharu, 4^th generation Mizuno Yasuyuki and 5^th generation Mizuno Atsushi&Nanako are working together to keep the Mizuno`s traditions for next generation.

  Their products are being used and admired by many professionals and master chefs. But how can they define the good knives or not ?  Of course, the basic conditions of good knives should be sharp, longer edge retention and ease of resharpening etc, but the serious pro users seek something beyond that, and they feel and find it with Mizuno knives.

  Mizuno Tanrenjo especially concentrates to make practical knives, we mean for making real good made Japanese Traditional knives. It is difficult to feel them from the looks, but once you taste the Mizuno Japanese Traditional Style Knife’s cutting performance, you can understand why many of professional Chefs select Mizuno brand Japanese Traditional style knives and become their repeat users.

  Unfortunately it is getting more difficult to find a real good made Japanese Traditional style knife in today's market, but we believe Mizuno Tanrenjo will continue to remain as one of the best traditional makers for many more years to come.

 Since over a year ago, we have been requesting Master Mizuno to make the special Honyaki Wa Gyuto, because we often received requests for such item from our customers and it was also our dream to introduce Mizuno Tanrenjo Honyaki Wa Gyuto.


 Finally, it is the time, and Master Mizuno finished a real masterpiece of Honyaki Wa Gyuto 240mm.

  Beautifully mirror polished Solid White Steel #2 (Honyaki Series) or Solid Blue Steel #2 (Honyaki DX Series) blade has Katana-like Hamon line. It features new blade profile of slightly thicker and larger dimension than Mizuno’s other Wa Gyuto blades, and is nicely hand tapered down toward the cutting edge and the blade tip.

  One of our loyal customers, who was the first person to request this Mizuno Honyaki Wa Gyuto, and has been waiting it with us together for long time, is now the first proud owner of Mizuno Honyaki Wa Gyuto. He was excited to receive the knife and very impressed with its beauty and cutting ability. He has used the word “Mighty” and ”Masterpiece” for expressing this  Mizuno Honyaki Wa Gyuto. Here is the report and comments from the first owner and professional chef who has a serious eye to a real knife: 

  Thanks very much again for Master Mizuno and his special effort for making special order made Honyaki Wa Guyto.
  We are proud to introduce Masterpiece of Mizuno Tanrenjo Honyaki(DX) Wa Gyuto, Honyaki Wa Santoku. 

月光Gekko                                                 by JCK

   Hand sharpened and hand honed VG10 core cutting edge forged with 15 layered Damascus stainless  steel. (HRC60 to 61 and  50/50 double bevel edge). 

  The unique Tsuchime (Unique dimples by hammering process) makes unusual look of Damascus blade.

  Full tang black pakka wood handle or Mahogany wood handle with stainless steel bolster and rivets.

  From my first glance of these beautiful knives in my hand,  I came up with the name "GEKKO" that means "Moon Light" in Japanese. From the different angle of look, Gekko knife makes different scene as Moon  Changes its shape and lightning every night.

   JCK is proud to introduce unique&beautiful Damascus knives "Gekko Series".

  You can now select Black Pakkawood or Mahogany wood handles at same price.

稲妻Inazuma                                             by JCK 

  We have introduced JCK GEKKO Series which have been one of popular models with unique Tuschime Damascus blade. Many people are impressed with its unusual and beautiful looks, and also its affordable price range for the value.

  Now we are ready to introduce another fine new products "JCK INAZUMA" made of Sandvic Sweden Steel 19C27 core (HRC60) forged with Nickel and Stainless Damascus steel blade. The Nickel alloy material makes additional layers of total 45, and beautiful and deep impact of White Layers on the Damascus blade.

  To mach with Japanese Traditional Taste of Tsuchime Damascus blade,  we have selected “WA” Taste of Octagon Shaped Rose Wood Handle with Black Pakkawood ferrule. 

  Each item comes with Japanese Traditional wear “KIMONO” patterned presentation box.

  I came up with the name “INAZUMA” hand engraved in Kanji on blade, that means "Thunder Lightning" in Japanese. Like Thunder lightning, the JCK INAZUMA will flash and shine your kitchen to bring you the joy of cooking with fine cutting performance.

   Total 6 kinds of blade are available with beautiful Japanese Traditional soul, and yet Modern design.

   As you may know, there are several cutlery producing districts in Japan. The Seki cutlery industry, where the JCK headquarter is located, is the biggest among them, but each district has different and unique products from their different tradition and history. 

   Echizen (formerly Takefu city) in Fukui-Prefecture is famous for Uchi-Hamono (Forged blades), that can trace back it’s origin about 700 years ago when the renowned Kyoto swordsmith, Kuniyasu Chiyozuru began producing sickles and other agricultural blades in addition to swords for local formers.

   At the Seki Knife Show in October, I had a chance to talk with Mr. Takeshi Saji who attend this show every year from Echizen. He told me about the “Echizen Japan” project that is underway by Echizen Knife Consortium to create the line of the “Ultimate Tool” under the “Echizen Japan” brand by uniting the traditional Echizen Uchi-hamono forging technique and the advanced technology of the multi-layer clad metal produced locally. He invited me to come and see the first line of kitchen knives that have just come up and started selling in Japan.