Young Samurai

[ChefKnivesToGo]

I had a long day yesterday with Takayuki. We toured their factory, met Mr. Doi and Mr. Yamatsuka. Perhaps more importantly I had a chat and meeting with 3 young apprentices who the older guys are teaching to forge and sharpen knives. The local government in Sakai wants to keep the tradition alive so they’re sponsoring these guys at factories like Takayuki.

When we returned from the tour I had an idea to make a special apprentice knife by 2 of the guys that you see in the photo. The young guy on the right can only use the spring hammer 1 day a week (Thursday) when Mr. Doi has a day off. Therefore the production is limited. The sharpener will then take the blades and grind them to completion including the edge. They’re only making 270mm Yanagibas at this time for us.

The price is going to be cheap while they gradually develop their skill and I’ll publish their names and pictures of them working to give them some publicity. It should be fun. The first batch will be at my cost just like we did with the Vietnamese knives so you guys can give them a try and can talk about them with some authority. Ballpark on these with a D handle and horn ferrule will be around $75. Steel will most likely be White 2 or 3. We’ll make sure we have sayas for them too at an additional cost.

[ChefKnivesToGo]

[STPepper9]

Mark, you are committed to getting every last cent I have. Lol.
I would be in.

[Anewknife]

I would like to get one also! 250mm length?

[Cutuu]

270 sounds awesome. I've needed a yani to work on some single bevel skills. Sounds perfect.

[cooknola]

I’m in. 100%

[squidzilla]

Do I need one? No.
Will I buy one? Yes.

[N1ghtwalk]

Tell them to practice making some left handed ones xD

[Jeff B]

Damn Mark, what are you ...about 6'6"...

[snipes]

Do I need one? No.
Will I buy one? Yes.

+1. I'd have a hard time justifying purchasing a yani, but at $75 it's a no brainer.

[PaulME]

I would definitely grab one as well!

[Kalaeb]

Cool, I would support that.

[jobone]

Can’t wait to try one

[delmar]

Heck yeah. Sounds great

[OgerBash]

sounds like a perfect knife to practice single bevel sharpening.

[ChefKnivesToGo]

Mark, you are committed to getting every last cent I have. Lol.
I would be in.

Jesse,

Maybe we can offer this to your crew?

[datster]

Aww, I'm in too, maybe I can just start direct depositing my check to you and you can give me the little that's left, LOL

[Lepus]

I do want one, too. You bring us the nicest treasures from your travels, Mark.

I hope all the rest of you are ready for some weird knives. I don't know if I would suggest an apprentice made knife to a new single bevel buyer, but... well, they all seem to be a roll of the dice.

[KoKyoryu]

That sounds like an amazing deal for a 270mm Yanagiba. Count me in for one.

[slickmamba]

I'd definitely take one, get a nice first yanagiba and support education