Another man that brought art to the craftsman industry is one of the young blacksmiths, Shigeki Tanaka (4th generation). He was known not only in Japan but also abroad but before that here is some glimpse about how he started in this field of knife manufacturing. Well, it is no wonder that Mr. Tanaka has been successful in this industry because it seems that knife molding is destined for him.
In fact, he was born in the family of blacksmiths from his grandfather Mr. Gentaro who at that time was the one who made the sickle (Tanaka Tsutomo Sickle Manufacturing Co. 1946) with his father, the family started the production of knife in 1995 together with his uncle
This is where his desire to become a blacksmith began and this pushed him to hone his talent even more.
From his residence in the town of Miki he went and studied in the land of the town of Takefu, Fukui. Here he developed his knowledge and became skilled in making knives. The town of Takefu is known for their 700 years of forging history using traditional methods. After three years he helped the family business (1999) used by Mr. Tanaka learned how to make knives and started manufacturing his own brand, the Shigeki-saku.
The transition from making sickles to forging of knives brought their business to become more stable and in 2000 the company was renamed Tanaka Kazuyuki Blade Manufacturing Co… Since he took over the company, he focuses on showing his excellent skills in hand made knives that bring him to become the well-known blacksmiths in the city of Miki.
His creation started gaining attention and being recommended by various chefs. He even made some collaboration like Gothic Lolita but still he manages to sustain the traditional values. Many are loving his design and are pleased with its beauty and meet high-quality standard value around the globe.
The Shigeki Tanaka Knives Products
I think you would like to know about their products let me show you their creations. Here is the list of the series they made.
Shigeki Tanaka Special
This series is a compilation of three different knives such as Two Hakata Knife.
Kurouchi Japanese Chef’s Hakata Knife
This knife is made of Silver paper (Gingami) No.3 steel material produces by Japan steel company Hitachi. Gingami No.3 meets both the sharpness and edge retention delivered by Carbon steel besides it is also rust resistant. Meanwhile they used Magnolia wood on the handle and shaped it into a Japanese D style figure so you can handle it comfortably. It is a Double-edged knife, 180mm blade length and weighs 170 grams.
Damascus Japanese Chef’s Hakata Knife
This is the other version of Hakata knife belong to the special series. Shigeki Tanaka use Multi layered and Hammered Damascus Stainless Steel VG 10 core as the blade steel material. Giving this knife a long-lasting edge, rust resistant and physically beautiful arched shaped. Same as the Kurouchi they also use Magnolia wood with buffalo horn ring as the handle material, same blade length but different in weight and both a double-edged type of knife.
and the other one is a Yanagiba Knife (Sashimi) with Ebony handle.
Japanese EB Chef’s Yanagiba (Sashimi) Knife
A Yanagiba (Sashimi) knife is included in this compilation, it possesses the other characteristics of the two mentioned first. Its blade is made of a combination of Silver paper No.3 as core and Damascus-patterned blades that provide the beautiful appearance, a long-lasting edge and rust resistant. This time they used Ebony wood for the handle and shaped it into an Octagon equipped with a buffalo tsuba. It is a Single-edged knife, 270mm blade length and weight 230 grams.
Most of his knives are made of Aoni steel and VG10 with Damascus. Watch out in this list because some knives are now starting to sold out. Here are some of his works also include various of knife types.
Deba Knife
Ginsanko Deba Knife Japanese Knife 150mm/165mm/180mm Walnut Pattern
Santoku Knife
- VG10 17 Layers Damascus Santoku knife 165mm red plywood pattern
- Silver Sanko Nashiji Santoku Knife Japanese Knife 165mm Walnut Pattern
- Iron Fire Blue Steel Black Santoku Knife 165mm/180mm Walnut Pattern
- R2/SG2 Damascus Santoku Knife Japanese Knife 165mm Ebony Pattern
- Aoni Steel 17 Layer Damascus Santoku Knife 165mm Park Pattern
Yanagi Knife
- Ginsanko Yanagi Blade knife Japanese Knife 270mm/240mm Walnut Pattern
- VG10 Damascus Yanagi Blade Knife Japanese Knife 270mm Ebony Pattern
- Aoni stell Damascus Yanagi Blade Knife Japanese Knife 270mm/300mm Ebony Pattern
Beef sword Knife
- Ginsanko Nashiji Beef Sword Knife Japanese Knife 180mm/210mm Walnut Pattern
- VG10 17 Layer Damascus Beef Knife 180mm/210mm red plywood Pattern
- R2/SG2 Damascus Beef Sword Knife Japanese Knife 180mm/210mm Ebony Pattern
- Aoni steel 17 Layer Damascus Beef Sword Knife 180mm/210mm Park Pattern
- Aoni steel Damascus Beef Sword Knife Japanese Knife 180mm Walnut Pattern
Petty Knife
- VG10 17 Layer Damascus Petty Knife 150mm Red Plywood Pattern
- Ginsanko Nashiji Petty Knife Japanese Knife 150mm Walnut Pattern
- R2/SG2 Petty Knife Japanese Kitchen Knife 150mm Ebony Pattern
- Aoni Steel Damascus Petty Knife Japanese Kitchen Knife 150mm Walnut Pattern
- Aoni Steel 17 Layer Damascus Petty Knife 150mm Park Pattern
Nakiri Knife
- VG10 17 Layers Damascus Nakiri Knife 160mm red plywood pattern
- R2/SG2 Damascus Nakiri Knife Japanese Knife 165mm Ebony Pattern
- Aoni Steel Damascus Nakiri Knife Japanese Knife 165mm Walnut Pattern
- Tetsuhi Aoni Steel Black Uchi Nakiri Knife 165mm Walnut Pattern
- Aoni Steel 17 Layer Damascus Nakiri Knife 180mm Park Pattern
Takobiki Knife(Kanto Style Yanagiba Knife)
- VG10 Tip Round Octopus Knife Japanese Knife 270mm/300mm Walnut Pattern
- Aoni Steel Damascus Steel knife with round tip Japanese Knife 300mm/330mm Walnut Pattern
Collaboration Knives of Shigeki Tanaka
I think you will also be interested in her collaboration with Gothic Lolita here are some pictures and information about it. The Gothic Knife Series is a very attractive knife due to its unusual design that attracts charm and interest of the public mostly our new generation the GenZ.
madjuliette
This kitchen knife can show what kind of personality you have. If you are Emo or you want to be cute while preparing food in your kitchen there is a knife that will suit you. If you are Emo or you want to be cute while preparing food in your kitchen there is a knife that will suit you. Taken from Juliette and Lappin are the Lolita Elementary school the Rabit class and Rose Class and the MAD Hospital Room 606 and Room 404. Aside from its cute appearance, this are traditionally forge giving this sharp edges.
LuCIFeR
Mikhail is an angel kitchen knife dress like a bride this is made of Damascus steel. The dress and the accessory can be removed. On the other hand, is the Lucifer a cooking knife and is also made of Damascus steel, dress in black to more of its dark devil image.
Reviews of Shigeki Tanaka Knives
Here are some posts about Shigeki Tanaka Knives.
Girlfriend saw me ogling this sub and hooked me up with this Shigeki Tanaka 150mm petty knife for my birthday. from r/chefknives
ゴスロリ包丁 ロリータ包丁どっちも抜群のキレ味です。本鍛造ですのですぱっといきます。刃がちびてきたら研いでもらえます。でもリストカットには使わないでほしいです＞Ａ＜ pic.twitter.com/qKSGjVvYG7
— 血ゑ (@ChieriHanapy) March 18, 2016
Gothic Lolita knives Lolita knives Both have an outstanding sharpness. It’s a real forging, so I’ll go quickly. If the blade is tiny, you can sharpen it. But don’t use it for wrist cuts
Aside form those posts, most of reviews are praising its sharpness, weight, and ergonomic handle.
Summary
We introduce the Shigeki Tanaka products, a brand of the Tanaka Kazuyuki Blade Manufacturing Co. under the leadership of its fourth successor Shigeki Tanaka.
They produce many variations of knives in Japan, they even sell abroad by the use of e- commerce platform. You can search these knives in different online selling websites. You can choose the knife you will love from here; we also show some review to help you from some aspects.
We already discuss the different types, and materials they use and if you want to know more Visit this sites Chefslocker, Chefknives to go, Seisuke hamono, Hocho knife, and Japanny.
