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 75 mm edge.
The blade has dark etched nickel Damascus and a core steel of SG2 (R2) powdered steel.
The bone handle is beautifully blue with white inlays.
Comes with a leather sheath.

Steel: SG-2 powdered steel with dark nickel Damascus cladding (HRC 62-63)
Blade height at heel: 24 mm
Edge length: 75 mm
Length from tip to bolster: 84 mm
Overall length: 200 mm
Weight: 134 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 knife making, and he often considered leaving teaching to fully dedicate 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 spent the rest of his life 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.