Description

In 2008, some of the knife authorities in Seki formed the "Seki Challengers Knife Club" to train and impart traditional Seki knife making techniques and knowledge to young Seki knife craftsmen. There are now 15 club members, who gather once a month. They all work at Seki knife factories, and are challenged to make their own knives after work and at weekends.

JKD is trying to support and encourage them by introducing their knives for sale. Here are some of the latest knives received:

Mr. Ritsu Maruyama is a talented and aggressive young knife maker working at Hattori Hamono and is an apprentice to the Grand Master Ichiro Hattori. He likes to make tactical knives and he pays attention to the details to ensure a perfect fit and finish. Since his time is limited to after work and weekends, he can only make one or two knives each year. Last year, we introduced his first knife, the Sub-Hilt Fighter and Little Fighter", which quickly sold out. As a knife maker in training, he devotes tremendous time to making each knife, perfecting the finish and ignoring profitability. 

RITSU MARUYAMA RM-40 "HANDY"

Yesterday, we had a monthly meeting of the Challengers Club, and received this superb knife from Ritsu Maruyama. He said he just received it back from the JKG (Japan Knife Guild) show in Ginza, Tokyo, where he presented it for the knife contest and got the "Best Art Knife Award". He is very happy and proud of the Award received at the Japan's most prestigious show, since he spent almost 5 months to finish this knife for the contest. 

The 4-1/4" RWL-34 Powder steel blade is triple ground of V-grind edge + Concave grind body + Triangle grind swedge in a beautiful highly mirror finish. The decorative Nickel silver hilt is fitted with the blade tang with no gap (he used micro-grinder with microscope for perfect fitting). The 3-1/2" handle has Stabilized Maple wood with Nickel silver butt and screw. It is a hidden tang construction with 304 stainless steel liner flame. He did not prefer to grind the wood flushed with the liner like the normal knife, so the Maple wood handle is plump finished with steps for the total beauty and balance.  Comes with Black Shark-skin sheath with Deer-skin inlay (Dyed matching color with the Maple wood). The inside has White soft Deer-skin liners to prevent blade scratching. Zippered Nylon pouch for storage.  Great Art knife for the Holiday gift!

RWK-34 blade in 4.9mm thick, 110mm blade, 200mm overall, weight 160g

Specification:
Knife Model: Ritsu Maruyama RM-40 "HANDY"
Blade Material: RWL-34 Highly mirror polished blade 
Rockwell Hardness (HRc): 60-62
Handle Material: Stabilized Maple wood with Nickel silver Hilt and Butt 
Overall Length: 200mm 
Blade Length: 110mm
Blade Thickness: 4.9mm
Weight: 160g