日本特殊合金 developed cemented carbide for kitchen knives and supplies it to knife manufacturers in Gifu using a nickel blend instead of cobalt. Orders have expanded to a monthly production scale of 1,000 units, and the product received a new technology award in 2026.
日本特殊合金 developed cemented carbide for kitchen knives in 2023, and orders increased from summer 2025. The material is supplied to knife manufacturers serving Japanese restaurants in Gifu and elsewhere. Conventional cemented carbide combines tungsten and cobalt, but 日本特殊合金 uses a nickel blend in consideration of potential effects on human health.
The new material offers excellent corrosion resistance and produces a finish that is less prone to chipping. The blade is just 1.2 millimeters thick, which is said to minimize damage to the structure of food. It has also received high praise from Japanese restaurants in Gifu, and evaluations from professional users have been improving.
Orders for industrial applications, including food-processing equipment, are also expected in the future. In 2026, the product received the New Technology and New Product Award from the Japan Society of Powder and Powder Metallurgy.