Makami Slipjoint

Product Description for Makami Slipjoint

Maker: Hidetoshi Nakayama (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 101392
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 2.40 in.
Cutting edge length: 2.25 in.
Total length: 5.75 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.60 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.13 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.04 in.
Item weight: 4.40 oz.
Blade: D2 carbon steel with an antiqued finish
Handle: Sculpted SUS304 stainless steel
Style: Slipjoint folder
Description: Knifemaker Hidetoshi Nakayama has been making knives since 1990. I was tremendously impressed when I first saw his work in 2004 and have been very pleased to bring a selection of the best of his knives to the United States each year since. He has been a netsuke artist for over 10 years. Netsuke is a unique form of small sculpture which developed as an art form in Japan over a period of more than three hundred years, serving both functional and aesthetic purposes. Over time netsuke, which started as a toggle used to stop the kimono cord from slipping, began to feature elaborate carving, lacquer work, and inlays of rare and exotic materials including ivory, wood, precious metals, shell, coral, and semiprecious stones. Clearly the attention necessary for carving fine figures in netsuke has transferred to his knife making.
The blade is antiqued D2 tool steel. This tool steel has exceptional edge retention and takes a keen edge, while having a relatively high chromium content. This chromium content makes the blade fairly resistant to rusting and oxidation (though not to the point of true stainless steel). The finish on the blade provides the feel of an antique heirloom. The blade can be opened easily using the right-handed nail nick and features a firm half stop.
The handle is painstakingly sculpted from SUS304 stainless steel to represent the lower half of a wolf's jaw. The jawbone has been antiqued while the teeth and fangs have been polished providing a very pleasing aesthetic. It was inspired by Makami, a rural Japanese wolf god said to protect one from fires. The handle is held together using textured brass pins and surrounds an antiqued backspacer. Nakayama's maker's mark is featured on the right side of the jaw.
Exceptional work throughout from this talented maker!


Availability: Not currently available