Takeshi Saji R2 Tsuchime 13cm hand-forged japanese Utility knife

The model :

The 13cmUniversal knife is a very handy model. It is very useful for cutting or chopping medium-sized fruit and vegetables. You can also use it for trimming or mincing small pieces of meat that don't have bones. Its versatility means it's an everyday tool!

Blade :

The blade is called San Maï, which means it's built with 3 interlocking layers of steel. There's always a more rigid core, followed by a layer of softer steel to protect it and soften the blade as a whole (so that it's more resistant to breakage, without being flexible).

The Takeshi Saji knife featured here has a core of Japanese R2 steel: a stainless alloy produced by powder metallurgy. It's expensive and rarely found in cutlery. It is extremely rigid: its strength is around 63 HRC on the Rockwell scale. As a result, its cutting edge will perform well for a long time, so you'll need less sharpening!

Even though it is very rigid, the cutting edge created by R2 steel is easy to maintain. Use a Sharpening stone to maintain its incredible sharpness, which will surprise you from the very first use (watch your fingers).

Finally, this steel reveals another quality: its purity. At the microscopic level, its structure is very homogeneous, making it more resistant (for example, there's less risk of chipping when you use it).

Next, the R2 is wrapped in a layer of softer stainless steel, which sandwiches it on either side (hence the 3 layers described above). You can see this superimposition of steels on the bottom of the blade, with the fine wave running across the entire cutting surface.

Finally, the blade benefits from a Tsuchime Finish : this refers to the fine hammering seen on the top of the cutting surface. In addition to slightly enhancing its anti-adhesive capacity (as it will act a little like honeycombing), the hammering gives a unique style to each knife, while adding a great deal of character.

Handle:

The handle is made of quince wood, a beautiful and rare species not usually seen in cutlery. This light-colored wood has beautiful nuances that are unique to each knife. It contrasts perfectly with the cool tones of the blade.

It is complemented by a decorated stainless steel bolster, which creates a smooth transition between the two parts of the knife. It makes it easy to hold.

The whole is oval-shaped, to suit both right- and left-handed cooks.

Finally, the knife also features a stainless steel base, which adds balance to the piece.

Care and maintenance :

The knife is not dishwasher-safe. It should be washed by hand in lukewarm water, using a sponge and a mild detergent. After washing, wipe with a soft cloth to remove all traces of moisture, then store.

Find out more about the blacksmith :

Takeshi Saji R2 Tsuchime Japanese knives are handcrafted. Blacksmith Takeshi Saji san is an expert who has been working in this field for over 50 years, and enjoys a very fine reputation in the business. His knife lines are appreciated for their finesse and elegance. With elegance and efficiency, he combines ancestral forging techniques with innovative designs, enabling him to appeal to the widest possible audience. It's not for nothing that he was certified "traditional master craftsman" in the 90s.

His workshop is located in the famous Takefu Knife Village , one of Japan's leading manufacturing centers. Here you'll find some of the best traditional blacksmiths in the country, who want to keep the ancestral know-how alive. They continue to train the new generation to this end, and being together in the same place enables them to share their tricks of the trade.

Please note that quantities are limited, due to the origin of the knives and the capacity of the blacksmith, who carries out all operations by hand.

See also our selection of Japanese whetstones!