Kiritsuke • 210 mm • Aogami super • Magnolia handle with horn bolster • for both left and right handed use
Characteristics of the OEM AS+ Kurouchi-Series
OEM, also known as Original Equipment Manufacturer, is a large-scale producer that manufactures both handles and blades for the knife industry. Thanks to their scale, they are able to employ specialists in every department. This results in an excellent price-to-quality ratio. OEM is often perceived as a commercial company, but this image is not entirely accurate, as they produce knives of high quality.
The blade is constructed using a sanmai structure. This means it consists of two outer layers with a core of, in this case, Aogami Super (Blue Steel+). This carbon steel is known for its high hardness, allowing the knife to be sharpened to a very fine edge while retaining its sharpness for a long time. Over time, the core will develop a patina. In Japan, a well-formed patina is often seen as a sign that a knife is well cared for.
The kurouchi finish, also known as a blacksmith’s finish, gives the knife a more rugged appearance than most knives. During the forging process, impurities in the steel are burned away, and instead of polishing them out, the blacksmith chooses to leave them visible. The tsuchime, or hammered finish, helps reduce sticking compared to a fully polished blade. Combined with the oak handle, this makes for a beautifully crafted knife.
Blue steel, also known as Aogami/Aoki steel
This traditional steel is not named after its colour, but named after the colour of its paper wrapping, in which it is stored in the Hitachi steel factory in Japan. There are three different grades: super, #1 en #2. Blue steels use a high grade of carbon, chrome and vanadium added in their alloy. Aogami super even added extra tungsten. Aogami super is here " Best of both worlds" Blue #1 is for sharpness, Blue #2 for toughness. Blue steels are mostly seen in deba or usuba knives, white steels often in yanagibas. Aogami super is regarded as one of the best traditional steels by Japanese knifemakers, but difficult to work with. Blue steels are difficult to sharpen on a whetstone, but they remain sharp for a longer period, compared to white steels.
Elwin de Veld about OEM
An Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is a company that manufactures an original product that is sold under another company’s brand name. In the case of knives, an OEM might manufacture a knife and sell it to several different companies who then simply add their price margin and sell the knife under their own brand name. This is a common practice in the Japan knife industry. Does it affect quality? No it doesn't, in fact, it can mean a stable production for the knifemaker.
In this particular OEM case, a well known knifemaker from Sakai, provides knives from other producers from the region. A well overthought choice, to provide a beautiful blade with a stunning handle.
