Tadafusa (Hocho Kobo Tadafusa) 株式会社タダフサ

Marks on the blade

About

The design-led 'basic 3' home line (SLD core, stainless clad, carbonised chestnut handle) plus traditional kurouchi White-steel knives and soba knives. Member of the Sanjo Kaji Dojo blacksmith group. Prices below are from the official shop.

Steels

• SLD — Hitachi's SKD11-type cold-work steel. Tadafusa's stainless-clad home line and Kenshin's hammered line use it.
• Shirogami #2 (White #2) — Hitachi/Proterial Yasuki carbon steel. Easiest to sharpen, takes the finest edge, rusts fast.
• Aogami #2 (Blue #2) — White #2 plus chromium and tungsten: better wear resistance, a touch harder to sharpen.

Facts

Knife types made

• Santoku 三徳 · All-round home knife: vegetables, fish, meat. The first knife to buy.
• Petty ペティ · Small jobs in hand: peeling, trimming, garnish, fruit.
• Nakiri 菜切 · Vegetables only: straight up-and-down cuts, thin slices, cabbage, daikon.
• Deba 出刃 · Breaking down whole fish: heads, bones, filleting. Thick spine.
• Yanagiba 柳刃 · Slicing sashimi and sushi toppings in one pull stroke.
• Gyuto (chef's knife) 牛刀 · Western-style chef's knife: meat, large vegetables, rocking cuts.

Care for these steels

Carbon steel (Shirogami / Aogami / SK)

• Rinse and wipe dry immediately after each use — never leave it wet or in the sink.
• Do not put in the dishwasher. Do not cut acidic foods and walk away (lemon, tomato, onion will stain within minutes).
• A grey-blue patina is normal and protective; orange rust is not. Remove orange rust with a rust eraser or #1000 stone slurry.
• Before storing for more than a day, wipe with camellia oil (椿油) or any food-safe oil.
• Store dry, in a saya or on a rack — not loose in a drawer.

Semi-stainless (SKD / SLD)

• Stains slowly rather than rusting fast, but still wipe dry after use.
• No dishwasher. Oil is optional for long storage.
• Holds an edge longer than Shirogami; sharpen on #1000 → #3000 and expect a little more time on the stone.

Where to buy

Buy direct from Sanjo (through us)Maker websiteAmazon US affiliateAmazon JP affiliate