You may wonder why, with so many revered knife brands committed to spending long hours designing, crafting, and assembling premium blades, there aren’t more knives that utilize ancient techniques. Sure, any kind of knifemaking is, by virtue, an evolution of a tradition that began thousands of years ago. But with modern materials and construction, there’s a line carved in the sand that separates new and ancient.
Some of the best to ever do it were the 16th-century bladesmiths of Japan’s Tesho era, who made significant advancements in samurai swords. Bladesmiths of this era were renowned for their innovation, producing swords that balanced strength, sharpness, and resilience, often with minimal decorative elements in favor of performance. Even if a company wanted to tap into the techniques of these Japanese bladesmiths, they would need the experience of a trade that had these ancient techniques embedded in it from the beginning.
Shirasagi, a Japanese brand that’s sure to be on everyone’s radar soon, is doing exactly that. And their new Tesho Knife is exactly the kind of release that reminds you why we’re enthusiasts in the first place.
Forged by a JSDF Veteran
The craftsman behind this knife spent 36 years in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces Reconnaissance Unit working as a motorcycle scout. When you’re running reconnaissance and survival training with minimal gear, you figure out pretty quickly what works and what doesn’t. This knife is the result of over 30 years of knifemaking that followed that career, and it shows in how minimal yet capable the design is.
Shirasagi’s TETSU-ya workshop in Kumamoto is where these blades come to life, hand-forged in the tradition of the Tensho-era bladesmiths like Dotanuki Masakuni and the Dotanuki school, who crafted practical, resilient swords for military commanders. That philosophy of performance over decoration runs straight through the Tesho Knife.
The Hamon Effect
The fixed blade features the hamon pattern you’d find on a samurai sword, created through differential hardening techniques that date back centuries. More than just a striking aesthetic, it’s also a byproduct of traditional heat treatment that gives each knife its own character. The wavy line you see is the visible boundary between the hardened edge and softer spine, a technique perfected during the first millennia.
The blade itself is carbon tool steel, which means it takes and holds an edge better than most kitchen knives you’ll come across. High carbon content allows for remarkable hardness and that razor-sharp edge chefs and craftsmen prefer. It’s also easier to maintain than stainless; a quick touch on the whetstone brings it back to life. The curved edge design allows you to make contact at a single point rather than along a line, which reduces friction and gives you a smoother, more controlled cut.
Two Sizes of the Same Sword
The Tesho comes in Large (7.87″ total, 3.94-inch blade) and Small (5.12″ total, 2.36-inch blade). Both are full-tang knives carved from a single, unbroken piece of carbon steel, which makes them lightweight (4.17oz for the Large, 0.88oz for the Small) yet tough enough for anything from bushcraft to kitchen work. The handle is intentionally left with that hammered, rugged finish to enhance grip, and features a sort of loop in the back as well.
Lastly, they come with cowhide leather sheaths and a loop on the handle for attaching a chain or cord, which is practical for hanging or outdoor carry.
Spec Sheet
Model: Tesho Knife (Large & Small)
Blade Steel: Carbon Tool Steel (SK Steel)
Large Blade Length: 3.94″
Large Total Length: 7.87″
Small Blade Length: 2.36″
Small Total Length: 5.12″
Sheath Material: Genuine Cowhide Leather
Construction: Full-tang, hand-forged
Features: Traditional hamon pattern, curved blade design, hammered handle finish
Pricing & Availability
The Tesho Knife is currently live on Kickstarter and already fully funded. The Small starts at ¥11,400 (~$74), the Large at ¥17,600 (~$114), or you can grab a two-knife set for ¥25,375 (~$163). Rewards are planned for shipping in November 2026.
Recap
Shirasagi Tesho Knife
Shirasagi’s new Tesho Knife brings 16th-century Japanese swordmaking techniques into a modern fixed blade, hand-forged by a 36-year veteran of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces who knows what actually works in the field. With carbon tool steel, traditional hamon patterns, and full-tang construction, it’s a rare example of ancient craftsmanship meeting everyday usability.
