Bunka • 180 mm • SG2 steel • Japanese handle of cherry bark • for both left and right-handed use
Features of Hado Shiosai serie
The material of the handle is called “sakura-kawa” (cherry bark) in Japanese. It is a traditional material used in Kabazaiku, a craft from Akita Prefecture with a history of over 200 years.
Cherry bark has a very dense fiber structure and offers better moisture resistance than ordinary wood,
making it suitable for regular kitchen use. With continued use, the color deepens and a natural luster develops, allowing each handle to age beautifully in its own unique way.
SG2 Steel / Super Gold 2 / SPG2
SG2 steel is the big brother of the well-known VG10 steel from Takefu Special Steel. It is significantly harder (62–64 HRC), while still offering the advantage of being fully stainless. Thanks to this high hardness, knives can be ground thinner and retain their sharpness for a longer period of time.
While VG10 is produced by melting raw materials such as iron ore, vanadium, and molybdenum together, SG2 is a powder steel. This means the ingredients are first processed into a fine powder and only then fused into steel. This process results in a much finer and more uniform structure, with molecules packed more closely together, which contributes to the steel’s high hardness.
SG2 is a premium steel, and that also comes with certain drawbacks. Due to its high hardness and very thin grind, the steel is relatively fragile (prone to chippin). Proper cutting technique and careful maintenance are therefore essential.
In summary, SG2 is an exceptional steel for those seeking a stainless steel knife with extreme sharpness that can also be maintained for a long time.
Elwin de Veld about HADO
The young craftsmen (around 40 years old) produce double V-sharpened blades in a traditional way. This method of finishing produces an extremely thin and sharp cutting edge, but is extremely difficult to obtain. Thanks to hand-sharpening, as is done at HADO, the finish is of a high class. Refined and thin are its characteristics. HADO is now available in 4 series: Sumi, white #2 steel with a stainless outside layer. Ginsan, ginsan steel with a stainless outside layer. Janpaku, white #1 steel with a stainless ouside layer. The white #1 steel is difficult to forge and it doesn't get any easier with a stainless steel outside layer. You see white #2 a lot more, because it is friendlier to forge and more artisans master it. Finally, the Shiosai series has been added to the collection, this SG2 steel comes from Takefu in Echisen. By the way, HADO does not do the forging in-house, but has it outsourced by Tanaka san, a well-known blacksmith from Osaka, who also works for Baba Hamono.
