Only 4 blades. There are Sujihiki, and then there are blades like this. At 400mm, the Nihei Takahiro Katana is an extraordinary piece of Japanese forging—long, slender and almost sword-like in proportion. We received only four of these exclusive blades, making this one of the most unusual arrivals we’ve had in the shop.
At its core is Shirogami #2 (White #2), a traditional Japanese carbon steel prized for its ability to take an exceptionally fine edge and for the direct, responsive feeling it offers on the stones. Wrapped in a San-Mai construction, the blade combines performance at the edge with a softer outer cladding that gives the steel its distinctive character.
What really separates the Katana series is the Jihada finish. Rather than a conventional decorative Damascus pattern, the surface reveals a much more subtle grain and movement within the forged steel. It has an organic, almost flowing appearance that changes with the light and gives every blade a character of its own.
Then there is the format itself. A 400mm Sujihiki gives you an enormous uninterrupted cutting edge designed for long, clean slicing strokes through large proteins, fish and other ingredients where reducing back-and-forth movement matters. It is a highly specialized format, but that is exactly what makes it so impressive. This is as much a serious slicing tool as it is a statement piece for the collector who wants something far outside the ordinary.
The proportions, finish and traditional White #2 core all come together in a blade that feels much closer to a functional piece of Japanese craftsmanship than a conventional production knife.
To complete the presentation, each of the four blades comes with its own Paulownia wood box, giving the knife a proper presentation and storage case worthy of such an unusual piece.
For the cook or collector looking for something truly uncommon, this is exactly that: 400mm of White #2 carbon steel, San-Mai construction, distinctive Jihada character and an individual Paulownia wood box.
Kakushin can handle the blade-to-handle assembly for you at our shop. If you're new to the custom knife world and want to confirm the fit and sizing of a handle with a specific blade, feel free to reach out!