Honshu Mountain Cleaver
Made for precision slicing.
Honshu is the largest of Japan’s islands and home to its highest peaks. The 67-layer Damascus blade carries a pattern that echoes those ridgelines, with fine, flowing lines across the full length of the steel.
The handle is where the Honshu stands apart. It’s made from stabilised coloured wood, infused to make it denser and more resistant to moisture than plain timber, and shaped into an octagon, a profile favoured in traditional Japanese knife-making. The facets give your fingers natural reference points, so the grip feels secure and consistent cut after cut.
Lighter and slimmer than a traditional cleaver, the Honshu is built for fine work: slicing meat and fish thinly, cutting vegetables with precision and portioning neatly for the plate.
Because the colour runs through natural wood grain, every handle is unique, and yours may differ from the one pictured.
Blade Steel: 67-Layer Damascus, 9Cr18MoV Core, 61 HRC
To keep your Takumi blade in top condition:
- Hand wash only. Use warm water and mild soap. Never put it in the dishwasher.
- Dry straight away. Even stainless steel can spot or rust if it’s left wet, so towel-dry the blade as soon as you’ve washed it.
- Care for the handle. Don’t soak the handle or leave it sitting in water, as moisture can damage wood and loosen fittings over time. Dry it along with the blade.
- Cut cleanly. Not designed for bone or frozen food. Avoid twisting or prying with the blade, which can chip the edge.
- Use the right board. Wood or plastic boards protect the edge; glass and stone dull it quickly.
- Store and sharpen. Keep it in a knife block, on a magnetic strip or in its sheath once fully dry, and sharpen on a whetstone for the best edge.
- Oil before storing. For longer storage, wipe on a light coat of camellia or food-grade mineral oil. Avoid cooking oils, which can turn sticky.
The Takumi Standard
Made for everyday prep
Sharp blades, comfortable grips and distinctive designs, built for slicing meat and vegetables with control.
Steel
Quality steel matched to each blade, from stainless to 67-layer Damascus.
Balanced
Weight and handle shaped so you stay in control through every cut.
Sharp
Sharp out of the box, ready for your first cut.
Fair
Well made and fairly priced, built for years of daily use.