A Sad Japanese Kitchen Knife

[stitchawl]

Do you think that this is a valuable custom knife by Mr Seiko? Or is he a production type operation?

Either way, this looks like a very interesting project and the op is likely to learn a bit about sharpening from it. But if it's a valuable knife, it might be better to send it to someone who can do the job properly.

Allen

No idea. 'Seiko' is a fairly common name. It could be a 'one-off' that a Mr. Seiko made in his home shop, or it could be one of a thousand he and his workers made in his business. Most likely closer to the former, as the characters are hand scribed rather than punched in.

Stitchawl

 

[Jason B.]

It could range from $150-500 or more, but likely somewhere in the middle. They are not cheap knives in most cases.

 

[stitchawl]

It could range from $150-500 or more, but likely somewhere in the middle. They are not cheap knives in most cases.

What makes you think so? For what it's worth, I tend to agree with you. But....
As I said before, Seiko is a very common name. In fact, the district in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture that is known for it's knife production is called Seiko. They put out as much junk stuff as quality stuff. So 'Seiko Made' could be just like 'Sheffield Made' or it could be the name of the craftsman who made the blade, or the name of the factory where the blade was made, etc. There is just no way to tell from the name.

Stitchawl

 

[Jason B.]

Because any traditional yanagi that's not stainless or stamped is typically around $150 or higher and that doesn't look like a POS.

 

[xuz]

I am not 100% sure but...

I would not worry about ruining any history or master piece by sharpening this.
This is most likely a production knife from 清綱 Kiyotsuna.

(Look for the insignia.)
Do a search for 清綱作 柳刃 to find a few yanagiba that are on sale in yahoo shopping or rakuten.
These are relatively cheap knives ranging from 40 to 70 bucks for 240mm yanagi, and shorter deba and sujihiki.

There are times you go to flea market and buy a 5 dollar grayish looking stone,
that you can turn around and sell it on ebay for $900 by typing,
"Genuine Yellow Green Escher in original box, 10"x2.5"x1".

This is not one of those times.
I'd use it as a practice sharpening knife to learn how to repair and profile a kataba.

 

[stitchawl]

I am not 100% sure but...

I would not worry about ruining any history or master piece by sharpening this.
This is most likely a production knife from 清綱 Kiyotsuna.

(Look for the insignia.)
Do a search for 清綱作 柳刃 to find a few yanagiba that are on sale in yahoo shopping or rakuten.
These are relatively cheap knives ranging from 40 to 70 bucks for 240mm yanagi, and shorter deba and sujihiki.

There are times you go to flea market and buy a 5 dollar grayish looking stone,
that you can turn around and sell it on ebay for $900 by typing,
"Genuine Yellow Green Escher in original box, 10"x2.5"x1".

This is not one of those times.
I'd use it as a practice sharpening knife to learn how to repair and profile a kataba.

Keep in mind that the one in the picture is left-handed. Won't work so well held with the right hand.


Stitchawl