Shigeki Tanaka SG2 Black Damascus Ironwood Nakiri 165mm

SPECIFICATIONS

Knife Style: Nakiri
Steel Type: Stainless Steel
Blade Material: Powered Steel (R2 / SG2)
Blade Finish: Black Damascus
Blade Hardness: 64HRC (+/-1)
Bevel: Double
Handle: Full-Tang Ironwood (Mosaic Pins)
Blade Length: 165mm
Heel Height: 50mm
Spine Thickness: 2.20mm tappered to 1.90mm
Weight: ~221g

The Tanaka workshop traces its roots back to 1904, when the family first began forging agricultural tools in the late Meiji era. Over time, the craft evolved from sickles to kitchen blades, and by the third generation, knife making had become the heart of the workshop.

In 2000, under Kazuyuki Tanaka, the family officially adopted the name Tanaka Kazuyuki Hamono, opening a new chapter devoted entirely to kitchen knives. Around the same period, his son Shigeki Tanaka entered the forge. Since then, father and son have worked side by side, combining classical training from Fukui with their own refined approach. Blades bearing the “Shigeki saku” stamp reflect that partnership — subtle, disciplined, and quietly respected among professionals.

The Nakiri was designed with one purpose in mind: making vegetable prep feel effortless. Its tall rectangular profile and flat edge excel at push-cutting, allowing the entire edge to contact the board cleanly with every stroke. From onions and carrots to herbs, cabbage, and larger root vegetables, it moves through produce with remarkable speed and consistency.

What makes this particular Nakiri stand out is the balance between authority and finesse. The generous blade height provides excellent board control and plenty of knuckle clearance, while the grind keeps cutting resistance surprisingly low. It has a confident, planted feel on the board that encourages rhythm and precision during long prep sessions.

Combined with its premium steel, handcrafted construction, and distinctive finish, this is the kind of knife that turns everyday vegetable prep from a chore into one of the most enjoyable parts of cooking.