Japanese Artisan Yanagiba Knife 30cm Sakai Takayuki Honyaki Shoryu VG10

Sakai Takayuki was founded in the Sakai region in the 1950s. With its many years of experience, this Japanese manufacturer has developed great expertise in cutlery. It has inherited the region's traditional methods, which were used by the blacksmiths of yesteryear to design the famous Japanese swords. Thanks to all this knowledge, Sakai Takayuki now offers quality Japanese knives with a design that is both modern and authentic.

A Yanagiba knife is a model used for cutting fish! With its long, thin blade, you can slice large pieces of fish thinly and evenly without any problem. However, it should not be used on excessively hard foods such as squash, bones, etc.

The artisanal Japanese knife forged using ancestral methods

This 30cm Japanese knife features a blade forged using the honyaki technique: an ancestral method used to make the katanas of the Japanese samurai, considered to be the most accomplished sword of all civilizations. This handcrafted Japanese knife is made from a single piece of high-grade steel, with a very precise, multi-step tempering process that only an experienced blacksmith can perform. This is authentic craftsmanship inherited from the blacksmiths of yesteryear.

Japanese VG10 steel, produced by the renowned Takefu Special Steel, is used in the design of this honyaki knife. It has a high carbon content of around 1%: this is the essential element for increasing the hardness of a blade, since high hardness confers excellent edge retention. This Japanese kitchen knife has a hardness of 60HRC on the Rockwell scale, which proves that its cutting edge is powerful and durable. This means you'll need fewer sharpening sessions!

VG10 steel also contains 15% chromium, which enhances corrosion resistance. However, with its high carbon content, this blade remains oxidizable and therefore requires careful maintenance to avoid the risk of corrosion.

Your blade has been sharpened on one side only to give you a bevelled edge. This makes it easy to spread out the slices of food you're cutting, facilitating cutting.

This blade has a polished cutting surface and is also engraved with a Shoryu, from which this range of Japanese knives takes its name. It's a flying dragon, an emblematic symbol of Japanese mythology.

Between the blade and the handle, you might think there's a small gap, but it's deliberate! This is machi, a tradition from the Sakai region, whose aim is to balance your knife by playing on its center of gravity.

A sturdy wooden honyaki knife

The handle of this handcrafted Japanese knife is made from wenge wood, a durable, dense species that is resistant to humidity. This tropical wood originates from East Africa, and features a unique grain and dark stain on each piece.

The handle is complemented by a black buffalo horn bolster that links the handle to the blade. It reinforces the character of your handcrafted Japanese knife by adding a touch of elegance!

This octagonal-shaped handle is designed to fit the hands of all cooks! It offers an ergonomic grip for ease of use and perfectly controlled handling, especially during prolonged use.

Finally, wood pulp has been added where the blade joins the handle to fill any small gaps. This makes the whole thing watertight and prevents any infiltration of water or small foodstuffs.

What's more, this top-of-the-range Japanese knife comes with a protective saya, also in wenge wood. This sheath adjusts perfectly to the curves of the blade to guarantee optimum protection and prevent injury!

To care for your knife, wash only by hand with a non-abrasive sponge and mild detergent, avoiding wetting the handle. After cleaning, wipe immediately with a clean cloth to remove all traces of moisture and store in a dry place. Do not put in the dishwasher or leave to soak in the sink!

Find other top-of-the-range Honyaki Shoryu knives on KnifeLeader.eu!