Description

In 2008, Some of the Seki knife authorities have formed "Seki Challengers Knife Club" to train and inherit Seki traditional knifemaking technique and knowledge to young knife craftsmen in Seki. There are now 15 club members gathering once a month. They are working at Seki knife factories, and challenging to make their own custom knives after work and weekends.

JKD is supporting and encouraging them by introducing their knives for sale. Here are some of the latest knives received.

Ikuo Okano is a new comer to the Challenger club, and is working at forging factory in Sakahogi. From his long experience in forging work, he became interest in making forged knives and has his own workshop. At the Challengers meeting, he showed me Wire Damascus knife he made out of the wire. It was very interesting knife, but not for sale. This time, he came up with 3 knives made from steel blanks and hammer forged at his workshop.

Ikuo Okano IO-100 Hammer Forged Knives.   

IO-100A EDC Utility knife   3" Drop point H2 Rust resistance High-Chromium steel Mirror polished blade, 3-1/2" Hand contoured Blue Kiri-nite handle with Stainless steel tubular lanyard hole on end, Full tapered tang with Brass pins, Comes with Black Kydex sheath with Carabineer belt hook. 4.0mm thick, 170mm overall length, weight 70g

IO-100B Titanium handle Utility knife   4-1/4" Spear point H2 Rust resistance High-Chromium steel Mirror polished blade, 4" Tsuchime Hammered sold Titanium handle with lanyard hole on end, Full tang, Comes with Black Kydex sheath with Carabineer belt hook  3.7mm thick, 200mm overall length, weight 130g 

IO-100C Skeleton Hunter   One-piece skeleton knife forged from heavy 6.0mm thick SK-6 Carbon steel core forge layered Damascus steel 4" blade and 4" handle with lanyard hole on end, Hamaguri-ba edge, and handle is also tapered from spine to reduce weight. Comes with Black Kydex sheath with Carabineer belt hook  6.0mm thick, 210mm overall length, weight 150g

Specification

Knife Model: IO-100  Hammer Forged Knives
Blade Material: H2 Stainless steel & SK-6 Carbon Damascus 
Rockwell Hardness (HRc): ?
Handle Material: Kiri-Nite, Titanium & Skeleton
Kydex sheath included