Takeshi Saji R2 Damascus Mosaic Japanese utility knife 15cm

The practical Japanese all-purpose knife with an original design

The universal knife is a versatile kitchen model that lets you perform a wide range of small tasks. It's perfect for peeling and slicing small portions of meat and cheese, allowing you to make precise cubes. You can use it on a wide range of foods (not too hard), such as fruit, vegetables or boneless meat!

The blade of this Japanese kitchen knife is damascened: it is elaborated by superimposing several alternating layers of steel. The core is made of stiffer steel, covered by several layers of softer steel. This process balances the blade's suppleness, making it less brittle in use.

The core of this blade is made fromJapanese R2 steel (also known as SG2). This is a powder-metallurgy stainless steel, which makes it a rare and expensive material, rarely used in the cutlery industry. Blacksmiths appreciate its easy workability, while end-users admire its performance.

R2 steel has a hardness of 63HRC on the Rockwell scale, so you benefit from a long-lasting cutting edge, even with prolonged use. Despite its high rigidity, it's still easy to sharpen with a stone when necessary!

Another advantage of this steel is its purity. Its microscopic structure is uniform, giving it greater strength and considerably reducing the risk of micro-cracks during use.

To finish the damascus, the core is wrapped in several layers of stainless steel and nickel steel, which balances its rigidity. The superimposition of the different steels forms different patterns on each blade, making this a unique Japanese knife!

The handle of this handcrafted Japanese knife is made of ironwood, a species renowned for its high density and strength. Ironwood's warm hues are matched by slightly lighter shades for a warm visual effect. Each handcrafted knife has its own unique grain!

The full tang blade is firmly attached to the handle with three rivets. The central rivet features a mosaic pattern that adds a touch of originality and creates a harmonious contrast with the darker hue of the ironwood.

The handle is complemented by a stainless steel bolster that links it to the blade. This practical, handcrafted Japanese knife is designed to suit both left- and right-handed users!

How to care for your handcrafted Japanese knife?

It's essential to clean this Takeshi Saji knife by hand only, using lukewarm water, a non-abrasive sponge and mild soap. Do not put in the dishwasher or soak in the sink. Immediately after cleaning, be sure to dry the knife thoroughly to remove all traces of moisture, then store it in a dry place.

For elegant storage and to give this superb Japanese knife as a gift, you can place it in its beautiful wooden box, which is included.

Renowned Japanese blacksmith: Takeshi Saji

This artisan knife has been hand-forged by Takeshi Saji san, an expert knifemaker who has been practicing his passion for some fifty years. His experience has earned him an excellent reputation in the field!

Takeshi san's knives are renowned for their design and finesse. He succeeds in brilliantly combining age-old traditional techniques with timeless visuals. In the 90s, Takeshi Saji was certified as a "traditional master craftsman", a testimony to his great expertise.

Takeshi Saji san operates from his workshop in the heart of the Takefu Cutlery Village, a renowned place where traditional master blacksmiths gather to exchange techniques and preserve the know-how inherited from their ancestors. In this spirit, they continue to train the next generation.

Due to the entirely manual process carried out by the blacksmith and the provenance of these knives, available quantities of this model are limited.

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