Useful in the kitchen and for personal grooming alike. Learn about stainless steel, a durable material.

We imagine that few people have ever

stopped to think deeply about the material called stainless steel.

That's how much it is a natural, everyday presence in our lives

rather than something special.

Learning about materials and using them in a way that takes their characteristics into account

is important for making the items themselves last longer.

Even with something as taken-for-granted as stainless steel,

why not use this as a chance to get to know it anew? 

We tend to think of "stainless" as one single word,

but if you break it down, it's stain-less.

In other words, stain (rust) + less (negation) = does not rust, or resists rusting.

Stainless steel is an alloy made by adding chromium and nickel, which suppress metal corrosion, to iron,

and as the name suggests, it can be used in many items and situations thanks to its rust-resistant nature.

When chromium and nickel are added to iron, a thin oxide film forms,

and even if that film is damaged, it regenerates through exposure to water and oxygen.

Because of this property, stainless steel can prevent rust and maintain a beautiful appearance over a long period of time. 

There are many kinds of stainless steel depending on their composition,

and the appropriate type varies according to its intended use and environment.

The commonly used "18-8 stainless steel" refers to

stainless steel containing 18% chromium and 8% nickel added to iron,

and among the many possible compositions of stainless steel, it is the most stable and versatile.

It is said that most of the everyday tools we use at home

are made of this "18-8 stainless steel."

Here are some of the key characteristics of stainless steel:

・Resistant to rust and hygienic

・Retains heat well and doesn't cool quickly

・Easy to clean and maintain

・Durable (resistant to deformation)

・Recyclable

Let's take a closer look at these characteristics

by examining stainless steel items used around the home. 

Stainless steel is used a lot for cutlery, cookware,

and other items we use in the kitchen, isn't it?

That's precisely because, in a kitchen environment where water is used so often,

a material resistant to rust is the most suitable choice. 

Kitchen Tools from Kobo Aizawa

Kobo Aizawa is located in Tsubame City, Niigata Prefecture,

Japan's leading center for stainless steel processing. Founded in Taisho 11 (1922), the company pursues

ease of use as a tool, wanting people to use their durable stainless steel products

for many years, and to that end practices quality, careful craftsmanship,

valuing handwork done by skilled artisans.

What should never be forgotten in making things is

the question of why something "exists" in the first place.

It is precisely because Kobo Aizawa makes things while rephrasing that question as "why is it necessary,"

that they are able to create items where function and beauty come together as one.

Round Lunch Box, 2-Tier

A stainless steel bento box has no worries about color or odor transfer,

so you can use it lovingly for a long time. Stainless steel might seem like an inorganic material,

but somehow a round bento box like this looks quite charming,

which is rather curious.

Snap the lid shut, and even saucy dishes won't easily spill.

The Round Lunch Box, 2-Tier, excels not only in function but also in hygiene.

It's perfect for everyday use, and having a round bento box along on a picnic

seems like it would make things just a bit more fun. Since there are no restrictions on what you can put inside,

wondering what to pack tomorrow is one of the joys of using it. 

Double-Spouted Milk Pan

Stainless steel retains heat well once warmed, so

it's well suited to simmered dishes like soups, stews, and curries.

As its name suggests, the Double-Spouted Milk Pan

has spouts on both the left and right sides, so it works regardless of which hand is your dominant one,

and it's also easy to pour soups and other liquids with your off hand.

The distinctive handle is made of oak, and its smooth texture,

solid thickness, and upward-tilted design are all there to make it easy to hold.

The handle gradually develops a lustrous sheen with use,

so it's the kind of item you'll want to enjoy using for many years, watching that change unfold. 

Sori Yanagi Cutlery

Needless to say, Sori Yanagi's cutlery is the classic among classics.

Sori Yanagi's designs captivate people with their simplicity paired with thoroughly considered, beautiful form.

The same holds true for his cutlery, where that same dedication runs consistently through.

It's said that Sori Yanagi would make models by hand over and over before ever putting anything down on paper.

In other words, it's created only after thoroughly considering ease of use.

As a result, the form is not only universally appealing but also

outstanding in usability. The easy-to-grip form and stable,

simple design overflow with warmth, and since it suits both Japanese and Western-style tableware settings,

you can use it for years without ever tiring of it. 

Black-Handled Soup Spoon

A series that combines stainless steel with kaba (birch) wood.

The joint sections are finished with beautiful precision,

making them look as though they were formed as a single continuous piece.

Compared to all-stainless-steel versions, the kaba wood handle has more thickness,

making it easier to grip. With a crisp, tightly composed look in black,

It gives a stylish impression, too. Because stainless steel has low thermal conductivity,

it's an ideal material for cutlery.

For example, even if you leave a spoon in a hot soup while you're not drinking from it,

you won't run into the problem of it becoming

too hot to put in your mouth when you go to drink again.  

A set of teaspoon and hime fork

Easy-to-use cutlery also makes a wonderful gift.

Since the stainless steel used in Sori Yanagi cutlery has a matte, satin finish,

scratches are hard to notice, making it

cutlery you can use for years as part of your everyday tableware.  

Banshu Hamono kitchen scissors

The use of kitchen scissors isn't limited to opening bags of ingredients.

In fact, in the kitchen, scissors are a proper cooking tool in their own right, standing in for a kitchen knife.

They're a great help for cutting slippery chicken into bite-sized pieces when a knife would slide right off,

for snipping green onions directly over the pot, or for cutting kombu used for dashi

with a satisfying snap—they truly shine as a tool for cutting ingredients.

In other words, they're a tool that needs to be kept hygienic.

Stainless steel, which is easy to clean and doesn't retain odors or stains, is a perfect material for this.  

Banshu Hamono is a metalworking industry that has been rooted in "Banshu," the southwestern part of Hyogo Prefecture, since long ago,

and is said to have originated in sword forging.

The scissors made by these blade craftsmen have just the right weight and cut smoothly with an outstanding sharpness.

They feel wonderful to use and are a reliable Japanese kitchen tool.

So that people can keep using their blades for a long time, Banshu Hamono

also offers re-sharpening by craftsmen as an aftercare service,

giving you even more peace of mind as you continue to use them.  

SUWADA nail clippers

"A tool that creates beauty must itself be beautiful—a genuine article that inspires affection."

This is SUWADA's philosophy.

This brand, too, comes from Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture, the home of stainless steel craftsmanship in Japan.

In their pursuit of high-quality products, they insist on doing everything by hand,

consistently manufacturing everything in-house, from product design and development through every stage of production.

The lifetime warranty on their products surely comes from this confidence.  

Nail Clippers CLASSIC

The Nail Clippers CLASSIC has a shape reminiscent of nippers.

With its beautiful form and a blade curved to match the shape of the nail,

it can even be used to care for misshapen or ingrown nails.

Ordinary nail clippers cut with a loud "snap,"

applying pressure to the nail to break it, but SUWADA's

nail clippers let the blade glide smoothly as if slicing the nail,

so the nail is less likely to crack or leave a jagged cut edge.

All the force from gripping the clippers is transmitted directly to the thin blade,

and the two blades come together perfectly to cut the nail.

By using high-carbon stainless steel, which contains a high amount of carbon,

the blade wears down less, and since the same material is used all the way through to the handle,

this results in an exceptionally luxurious construction.

The surface, which traces an elegant line, also has a hairline finish that resists stains.  

rubis grooming tools

The rubis brand began in Switzerland, a country known for its watchmaking,

when it created a tool (tweezers) for setting rubies into watch movements.

That was how the brand got its start.

Upholding the belief that "true luxury is a return to essential value,"

the brand has a history of supplying products of reliable quality to many industries,

starting with the watchmaking industry.  

Tweezer Classic with Loupe

"Reliably removing every kind of hair"  

rubis tweezers are designed at the ideal angle against the skin

so that even fine, downy hairs don't slip away.

This eliminates the frustration of hair removal,

letting unwanted hair slip out smoothly without needing to apply force to the tweezers.

This is one of the greatest appeals of rubis's celebrated tweezers.

The material used in rubis tweezers is Swedish-made stainless steel.

It is an ideal material, with just the right elasticity, non-magnetic properties,

sturdiness, and rust resistance, so that you can enjoy using it in your home for years to come.  

Small Scissors Classic

The Small Scissors Classic is a standard item from rubis, and

one of their bestselling products.  

Originally made as nail scissors, these small scissors

can also be used for men's facial grooming, including beard care.

Crafted with painstaking care by highly skilled artisans using stainless steel of the kind used in medical settings,

this is a fine item you can cherish for years.

It's designed to sit at the ideal angle against the skin.

Even though it's small, it's still a blade, and this design consideration

ensures you can use it safely without applying unnecessary force.  

Burgon & Ball gardening tools

Founded in 1730, Burgon & Ball is a long-established gardening tool brand

from England, the home of gardening.  

Certified by the Royal Horticultural Society in 2011, their trusted

gardening tools are known for

possessing "a hidden quality that reveals itself only in use,"

and are cherished by people all over the world.

Gardening is a hobby that involves tools dealing with water, mud, and other kinds of dirt.

Stainless steel is the ideal material for this. Its durability, and the ease with which

it becomes clean again with just a quick wash, are things you'll appreciate once you use it. 

Hand Tool Set (Trowel / Fork)

A hand tool set whose pastel-colored handles evoke the gentle atmosphere of plants

and greenery. This set includes a trowel and a fork,

perfect for basic gardening maintenance. 

With an easy-to-hold grip and a curved neck designed with functionality in mind,

these tools are crafted to make soil work and gardening easier. 

Stainless Steel Weeding Knife

The stainless steel weeding knife is perfect for removing weeds and moss

from gaps along walls, bricks, and stone pavements.

It's handy for pulling up weeds growing in places that larger tools can't reach,

making it a reliable weeding knife that digs weeds out by the roots. 

These hand tools, made in England—a country with a rich gardening culture—

feature a stylish look with a wooden handle and leather strap,

making them a great gift idea for anyone who loves plants. 

Stainless steel is a material that's easy to care for.

But just because it's "rust-resistant" doesn't mean

it can never rust—neglecting the necessary care can still lead to rusting.

Let's go over some key points to keep in mind so you can enjoy your stainless steel items looking beautiful for a long time. 

・Do not leave the item in contact with dissimilar metals for long periods

When a dissimilar metal such as iron, zinc, or aluminum stays

in contact with the surface of stainless steel for a long time and is exposed to moisture such as humidity or condensation,

that other metal corrodes, causing the stainless steel to develop what's called "contact rust."

Be careful not to leave dissimilar metals in contact with your stainless steel items for extended periods. 

・For kitchen items, wash them promptly after use

If a stainless steel pot is used for dishes high in salt content (such as soy sauce or miso-based dishes)

and left unwashed for a long time, that area may develop rust.

Similarly, avoid leaving burnt-on oil or fat residue for extended periods—

wash it off promptly with detergent after use and dry it thoroughly. 

・If you notice the stainless steel becoming cloudy

Cloudiness on stainless steel is caused by mineral deposits from the components in tap water.

Apply cream cleanser to a sponge, polish the surface, wipe with a damp cloth,

and finish by wiping dry. 

・Why the inside of a stainless steel pot sometimes turns rainbow-colored

Have you ever noticed that the inside of your stainless steel pot has turned

a rainbow color after using it for a while?

Apparently, this happens because when water in the pot is heated,

ions and minerals such as iron or copper contained in the water adhere to the stainless steel's protective film as the water evaporates,

and develop color, creating the appearance of a rainbow sheen.

Rest assured, this doesn't mean the stainless steel itself has changed in quality.

It can be removed by adding vinegar to water and simmering for a few minutes, so give it a try.