This is the Ryky x Taku limited edition of our sold out Naru Hatsukou Series Bunka knife, with a handle chosen by Taku and Ryky inspired by glacier mist. Our "Hatsukou series" is hand-forged in Tosa Japan with Aogami #2 steel hardened to an impressive 62-63 HRC. This knife delivers the authentic experience of traditional Japanese bladesmithing at an incredibly low price point. With its rustic charm and reliable performance, it offers excellent value for those seeking their first hand-forged Japanese knife at amazingly affordable price. The center of balance, positioned above the choil and in front of the handle, provides comfortable control for pinch grip users. Each knife comes ready to use with satisfactory sharpness right out of the box. Despite the unreliably affordable price, the knife comes with excellent grind and geometry and superb heat treatment. Although the fit & finish at this price level is on the rough and rustic side, it provides a "raw" style with this authentic forged knife. Although you should not expect finishing level that matches a knife 5 times the cost, we are confident that the finishing level of this knife will exceed your expectation for a hand-forged knife at this price point.  Spec: Origin (Made in): Tosa, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan Brand: Naru Knife Type: Bunka Blade Construction: Sanmai Grind: Double-edged Blade (50/50 Grind Hagane (Core Steel): Aogami #2 (Blue #2) Jigane (Cladding): Soft Iron Hardness: 62-63 HRC Hand-forged, hand-ground, hand-sharpened Blade Finishes: Kurouchi Blade Length (heel-to-tip): 165mm (6.5") Blade Height (at heel): 46mm Spine Thickness Above heel: 3.0mm  Middle: 1.9mm  Handle Shape: Hachikaku (Octagonal) Material: Stabilized Wood Color: Glacier Mist Blue Length: 135mm  Overall Length: 320mm  Weight: 143g (5.04oz)  Stamped Mark (Front): RYKY x TAKU EDITION; In Japanese Kanji "Naru" (鳴); MADE IN JAPAN Stamped Mark (Back): In Japanese Kanji "Aogami" (青入) About Naru by Burrfection Store / 鳴 by Burrfection Store Naru (鳴) by Burrfection Store is the result of an uncompromising journey to make the extraordinary artistry of Japanese bladesmithing accessible to all. Driven by our belief that affordability should never mean sacrificing quality, our team scoured Japan, venturing deep into villages and small workshops to find the superb bladesmiths who could create chef knives of remarkable performance. These artisans, whose craft is rooted in generations of tradition, share our commitment to excellence and our vision of bringing their exceptional work to a broader audience. Through tireless collaboration, rigorous testing, and leveraging our buying power, we negotiated with our partners to ensure that every Naru knife could be offered at an accessible price without cutting corners. Each knife is proudly made in Japan to the superb standards, crafted from premium Japanese steel with meticulous attention to detail. Naru (鳴), meaning “to sound” or “to resonate,” reflects the harmony of tradition and innovation in every slice, making each knife not just a tool but a celebration of Japanese craftsmanship. This is the sound of dedication, the resonance of authenticity, and our promise to bring you a gateway to the world of Japanese chef knives without compromise. Care: Aogami #2 (Blue #2) steel is a premium Japanese high carbon steel for knife making. It is not stainless, therefore you must wipe your knife dry after each use, in particular the core steel not covered by the stainless cladding. Patina will develop over time, which will appear as “discoloration” on the cutting edge, but that is the nature of carbon steel - not a defect. Avoid cutting into bones, frozen foods, hard fruit pits. Cutting Surface: Recommended cutting surface: wood, rubberized boards and high-end composites, and quality plastics such as polyethene make acceptable cutting surfaces, and will help protect and prolong knife’s edge. AVOID glass, metal, countertops, and other rigid, non-forgiving surfaces. Sharpening: We recommend sharpening all quality Japanese knives on whetstones, as we believe they yield the best results for your knives.