Kyuzo Sharpener Kyuzo’s father Heihachi is one of the busiest sharpeners in Sakai. Heihachi’s workshop room and corridor were always filled with knives waiting to be sharpened. Although Kyuzo initially worked under his father to learn the foundation of rough sharpening, eventually he became a student of Kambei, known as one of the best sharpeners in Sakai because he knew best how to sharpen wide double bevel knives. After a few years of training, he built his style based on both his father and Kambei’s respective styles. Today, Kyuzo is one of only a few people who can sharpen wide double bevel with really good Shinogi-line in Sakai, one of the most challenging techniques in sharpening. Brand: Hitohira ひとひら (一片) Smith: Tanaka Blacksmith 田中打刃物製作所 Producing Area: Sakai-Osaka/ Japan Profile: Gyuto Size: 240mm Steel Type: Carbon Steel Steel: Yasuki Blue (Aogami) #1, Soft Iron Damascus CladdingHandle: Taihei Makassar Ebony & Buffalo Horn Ferrule Octagonal Total Length: 387mm Edge Length: 234mm Handle to Tip Length: 244mm Blade Height: 50.5mm Thickness: 2.5mm Handle Length: 148mm Weight: 192g Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous Hardness: 63-64HRC Sharpener: Kyuzo 久蔵Handle Maker: Taihei 太平