Anryu Hamono Aogami 2/S Tsuchime Petty 120mm

About Takumi Ikeda - Competitive rugby or blacksmithing? Not your usual career paths to choose from, but Takumi Ikeda-san was at that crossroad.

Usually blacksmiths pass their business and skills down to their first-born son. It's tradition, and Japan is nothing if not traditional. Katsushige Anryu- san, however, only had daughters, so his nephew, Takumi Ikeda, decided to get involved. Born in 1986, Ikeda-san has been learning from Anryu-san since 2007 in the legendary knife-making area known as Takefu Knife Village. In January of 2021, Anryu-san passed the reigns on Anryu Hamono to his nephew Ikeda-san. For years Ikeda-san has been forging the majority of Anryu knives, and we are excited to see how he drives the company forward into the future.

I've often said Ikeda-san is the strongest man in Japan. Being a rugby- playing, sports-obsessed blacksmith is exactly the way to build a very solid strong body. It also makes you hungry and, man, can Ikeda-san put it away when needed. Maybe he has a future as a competitive eater. Ikeda-san uses a coke fire, as his master Anryu-san has trained him, and he loves to make Damascus steel-style blades. It's a fun way for blacksmiths to show off their talents.

About the Shape This is the knife for smaller jobs that are done on a cutting board. Perfect for slicing shallots, cutting herbs, and boning smaller proteins. Additionally, Petty knives are an indispensable tool for those who feel uncomfortable wielding a larger chef knife.

About the Maker - Ikeda-san has been learning from Anryu-san since 2007 in the legendary knife-making area known as Takefu Knife Village. In January of 2021, Anryu-san passed the reigns on Anryu-hamono to his nephew Ikeda-san. For years Ikeda-san has been forging the majority of Anryu knives, and we are excited to see how he drives the company forward into the future.

Ikeda-san uses a coke fire, as his master Anryu-san has trained him, and he loves to make Damascus steel-style blades. It's a fun way for blacksmiths to show off their talents.