This book is for everyone who enjoys Japanese kitchen knives and would like to learn how to make their own custom sayas/sheaths for them. I will go through the process from start to finish, covering the hand tools I use, providing tips on wood selection. I will be using detailed step by step technical drawings to show how to make a saya/sheath for any size and shape of Japanese kitchen knife. Both metric and imperial measurements are included.
This is an example of a full custom commission. The client has requested a Futana SB Kuro Tsuchime Gyuto 210 mm blade and that Teak wood be used for the handle and saya. I suggested the use of Ebony to accent the golden colour of the teak. After a sketch to show the...
Here is a broad strokes view of a custom wa-handle and black finish saya for a Hitohira Futana SB Kuro Tsuchime Gyuto 210 mm.
When I first started making handles for Japanese knives I didn't have access to many product examples to compare so I searched the internet for a sizing chart of sorts. It turns out there wasn't a very detailed one. The best I could find was mainly just "length of...
I discovered some Japanese style handle makers out there use a method of construction involving a dowel insert. Essentially the handle and ferrule are drilled out to receive a matching size dowel with a slot cut from the dowel to fit the tang of the blade. I found...
Knife Details Blade Origin: JapanProfile: Gyuto Size: 210 mm (8.27 inch)Core Steel: Swedish Stainless SteelCladding: Nickel DamascusHandle: Custom OctagonalMaterials: Greenstone Mallee burl, synthetic Ivory and WengeTotal Length: 345 mmEdge Length: 200 mmHandle...
Knife Details Blade Origin: JapanProfile: Gyuto Size: 210 mm (8.27 inch)Core Steel: Swedish Stainless SteelCladding: Nickel DamascusHandle: Custom OctagonalMaterials: Greenstone Mallee burl, Ebony, PoplarTotal Length: 345 mmEdge Length: 200 mmHandle to Tip...
Knife Details Blade Origin: JapanProfile: Gyuto Size: 210 mm (8.27 inch)Core Steel: Swedish Stainless SteelCladding: Nickel DamascusHandle: Custom OctagonalMaterials: Greenstone Malle burl, synthetic Ivory, Wenge, WalnutTotal Length: 345 mmEdge Length: 200...
Knife Details Blade Origin: JapanProfile: Gyuto Size: 210 mm (8.27 inch)Core Steel: Swedish Stainless SteelCladding: Nickel DamascusHandle: Custom OctagonalMaterials: Greenstone Mallee burl, PoplarTotal Length: 345 mmEdge Length: 200 mmHandle to Tip Length: 212...
Knife Details Blade Origin: JapanProfile: Gyuto Size: 210 mm (8.27 inch)Core Steel: Swedish Stainless SteelCladding: Nickel DamascusHandle: Custom OctagonalMaterials: Cocobolo, Ivory, ZebrawoodTotal Length: 345 mmEdge Length: 200 mmHandle to Tip Length: 212...
Knife Details Blade Origin: JapanProfile: Gyuto Size: 210 mm (8.27 inch)Core Steel: Swedish Stainless SteelCladding: Nickel DamascusHandle: Custom OctagonalMaterials: Rosewood, Maple burl, WalnutTotal Length: 345 mmEdge Length: 200 mmHandle to Tip Length: 212...