Hatsu Tomoe-ha Kuhinjski nož by Kairi Eguchi

Hatsu Tomoe-ha Kuhinjski nož by Kairi Eguchi is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Srebrna nagrada A' Design Award in Oblikovanje pekačev, namizne posode, kozarcev in kuhinjske posode Competition Category.

SrebrnaKuhinjska posoda· 2025

Hatsu Tomoe-ha Kuhinjski nož

by Kairi Eguchi

Client: Hatsu

Srebrna nagrada A' Design Award Winner in Kuhinjska posoda Category

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The Design

About Hatsu Tomoe-ha Kuhinjski nož

Hatsu Tomoe-ha je kuhinjski nož, ki v enem rezilu združuje funkciji univerzalnega noža in lupilnega noža. Rezilo je lasersko izrezano iz nerjavnega jekla, odpornega proti rji, nato pa nabrušeno za dolgotrajno ostrino. Rezilo meri 40 mm v širino pri osnovi in se proti konici zožuje. Ročaj je izdelan iz lesa hoonoki, zaradi česar je nož lahek in kompakten. Oblika ročaja omogoča enostavno uporabo sile, tako da lahko nož z lahkoto uporabljajo tudi kuharji začetniki. Majhna velikost je primerna za kompaktne kuhinje in se prilega deski za rezanje.

The Recognition

About the Srebrna nagrada A' Design Award

Hatsu Tomoe-ha Kuhinjski nož je prejemnik Srebrne nagrade A' Design Award, izjemno prestižnega priznanja, ki se podeljuje čudovitim, impresivnim vrhunskim oblikovanjem. Prejemniki Srebrne nagrade so izjemno briljantna in zelo ustvarjalna dela, ki ponazarjajo izjemno strokovnost, talent in bistrost svojih oblikovalcev. Od Hatsu Tomoe-ha Kuhinjski nož se pričakuje, da bo čudovito, zgledno delo, opazno profesionalno in globoko inovativno. To oblikovanje, nagrajeno s Srebrno nagrado A' Design Award, je zelo opazen, občudovan izum, ki koristi in premika meje umetnosti, znanosti, oblikovanja in tehnologije. Hatsu Tomoe-ha Kuhinjski nož je stvaritev, ki ji mnogi zavidajo, ki prebuja želje, prinaša pozitivna čustva in vzbuja začudenje in občudovanje.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Tomoe-ha is a kitchen knife that incorporates the dual usage of an all-purpose knife and a paring knife into one single utensil. It is made for people who are starting to live alone or for those who want to enjoy cooking with their children. Especially in countries with small living quarters like Japan,
having a simple yet highly functional mini kitchen knife makes cooking in a limited kitchen space more enjoyable. Tomoe-ha enables the user for an easier daily cooking routine and sustains that lifestyle for a longer period of time.
Dimensions & Packaging: W225×D18×H40mm. Blade length: 130mm
Tags: Japanese, sharperner, knife, handcrafted, blade
Production Technology: Steel is laser-cut to take its unique shape and then sharpened to turn into a working blade. The blade is made of rust-resistant stainless steel (locally termed as
"VG7") for long-lasting sharpness. The handle is manufactured by a woodworks company specializing in making knife handles for Echizen blades. Made from Hoonoki wood, it makes the handle light and compact. The overall shape of the handle makes it easy to apply force, so that even first-time cooks can use this
knife with ease.
Design Challenge: Finding the right balance between an all-purpose knife and a paring knife. In the end, we end up with a blade with a new kind of shape that has not existed before in any kitchen knives.
Research: The shape of the hybrid blade is the result of comparing the shapes and sizes of various small Santoku knives and a petty knives. In order to be used for both functions, we came up with a blade width of 40 mm at the base and a narrower blade towards the tip.
Inspiration: The Tomoe-ha mini kitchen knife combines the best features of the small Santoku knives (all-purpose knives) and petty knives (paring knives). The Japanese characters used for the name "Tomoe-ha” means ‘having two characteristics in equal measure,’. The characteristics of the small Santoku knife (used for cutting big things) and the petty knife (used for cutting vegetables) represents the idea of Tomoe-ha by incorporating both functionality into a knife that bears a single blade.
Project Duration: Manufacturing was done in Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture. Design was done in Osaka, with frequent visits to Fukui Prefecture for quality control.
Operation Flow: Tomoe-ha fits the right size to use for cutting fruits and sliced cabbages for quick and easy cooking. It is also small enough to fit on a cutting board, making it easy to use in a compact kitchen, thus making the daily routine of cooking easier for the user.
Team Members: Designer: Kairi Eguchi
Image Credits: #1 Kairi Eguchi (Product Designer) Yuma Ono (Assistant Designer), Main Image, 2024. #2 Kairi Eguchi (Product Designer) Yuma Ono (Assistant Designer), Zoom-in, 2024. #3 Tsutomu Ogino (Photographer), Kiwi, 2024. #4 Tsutomu Ogino (Photographer), Carrot, 2024.