Hunting knife

The last shipment from the legendary, and sadly deceased, blacksmith Itou. Itou was active until the autumn of 2025 despite being over 80 years old.

Hand-forged hunting knife from the legendary Itou, with a 110 mm blade.
The blade features dark etched nickel damascus and a core steel of SG2 (R2) powder steel.
Handle made of ironwood with brass bolster.
Comes with a leather sheath.

Steel: SG-2 powder steel with dark nickel damascus cladding (HRC 62-63)
Blade height at heel: 31 mm
Edge length: 110 mm
Length from tip to bolster: 122 mm
Total length: 240 mm
Weight: 208 grams

Itou was born in Fukui Prefecture, Japan, in 1942. After graduating from university, he became a physical education teacher. However, his true passion was knifemaking, and he often considered leaving his teaching career to fully devote himself to his craft. Each time, those around him persuaded him to continue as a teacher, and he remained in the profession until retirement.

When he retired, he declared: "Now I can make knives as I wish," and he kept that promise. He dedicated the rest of his life to freely creating knives, exactly as he desired. Many people make knives to earn money, but he only made the knives he wanted to make, without concern for business or profit. Perhaps that is why so many of his works were so distinctive.