Japanese sujihiki kiritsuke knife 27cm Sakai Takayuki Damascus Western 33 layers

Founded in the 50s in Sakai, a town renowned as a leading center for cutlery in Japan, the Japanese company Sakai Takayuki takes its name from this important region. It was here that blacksmiths made the famous katanas for the samurai. Sakai Takayuki perpetuates this authentic know-how, handed down from generation to generation by the blacksmiths of yesteryear.

Drawing on this rich heritage, Sakai Takayuki combines this ancestral know-how with modern designs to offer quality Japanese knives. With expertise accumulated over more than 60 years, the brand designs knives for a wide range of consumers, from private individuals to chefs!

A damask blade on a sujihiki knife

This sujihiki kiritsuke knife features a damascened blade, forged with a rigid alloy core covered by several alternating layers of softer steel. This technique creates unique undulations on the surface of the blade, giving it a unique and highly aesthetic character.

Damascus not only offers unique aesthetics, it also helps to ensure optimal blade balance. The heart of this blade is made of VG10 Japanese steel, a 1% carbon-enriched steel that has been ice-hardened. Carbon is the crucial element that gives the alloy its hardness. With an ice-hardening process, VG10 steel achieves a hardness of 60HRC on the Rockwell scale. With these characteristics, this blade ensures a sharp, long-lasting edge, reducing the number of sharpenings required.

The alloy also includes around 15% chromium, an element that increases corrosion resistance. However, due to the high carbon content of the alloy, we recommend that you take good care of your Sakai Takauyki knife to prevent oxidation of the blade.

The VG10 core is wrapped in 33 alternating layers of softer steel, creating the damask pattern. This technique balances the rigidity of the blade's core with a certain suppleness. It is important to note that the blade does not become flexible, but rather acquires a suppleness of use, in the sense that it better resists the shocks encountered when cutting, thus reducing the risk of breakage. Indeed, rigid steel tends to break more easily due to its lack of flexibility, which is where damascus comes in.

The top of the blade is adorned with hammering that creates a contrast with the different layers of damascus. As well as adding character to the blade, the hammering offers a practical function, acting like honeycombs. They are non-stick and prevent your food from sticking to the blade, making cutting easier.

A Japanese kitchen knife handle in mahogany

Your Japanese knife features an elegant handle in Spanish mahogany, a wood renowned for its robustness and recognizable by its slightly reddish-brown hue. As wood is a natural material, the grain is unique to each piece, adding a touch of authenticity. Mahogany is shock-resistant, and a transparent glaze is applied to the wood to protect it.

The Western shape of the handle ensures optimum grip. The heel has an integrated finger rest, perfect for extended use.

The handle is firmly attached to the full tang blade by 3 stainless steel rivets, guaranteeing the reliability and sturdiness of your Japanese kitchen knife. The bolster, also in stainless steel, ensures a harmonious connection between blade and handle.

To care for your damask knife, it's imperative not to use the dishwasher, nor leave it to soak in the sink. When washing by hand, take care not to wet the handle, and use a mild soap and a non-abrasive sponge. We recommend that you dry the knife immediately after washing, so that it can be stored in a dry place.

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