Toshitaka Suminagashi SG2 Damascus 18cm Japanese santoku knife

The Japanese damask knife with SG2 steel core

This santoku knife features an 18cm blade with a damascus structure. This process consists of forging a rigid steel core, then surrounding it with several layers of softer steel. This creates optimum balance, while offering additional protection to the blade core.

The blade features a core of Japanese SG2 steel, a powdered steel produced by the renowned Takefu Special Steel. Enriched with nearly 1.3% carbon, this key element increases the alloy's hardness, ensuring longer-lasting cutting edges. With a hardness of 63 HRC on the Rockwell scale, this blade offers very high cutting performance and durability, allowing you to space out the sharpening of your Toshitaka knife.

SG2 steel also contains around 15% chromium, which enhances its resistance to corrosion. However, the blade of this knife remains sensitive to oxidation, and requires rigorous maintenance on your part. Microscopically speaking, SG2 steel is characterized by its "pure" composition, with the micro-carbides evenly distributed. This guarantees optimum balance.

Several layers of hard and soft steel are then superimposed around the SG2 steel core to protect it, forming the damascus. This alternation of steels creates a unique pattern on the blade's surface, inspired by Suminagashi, an ancient Japanese art of marbling paper with black ink.

The blade has been delicately polished before being engraved with authentic kanji, adding to its elegance. Finally, the blade has been hand-sharpened on a grindstone, resulting in a cutting edge of exceptional performance.

Ergonomic magnolia handle

The damascus blade knife features a handle made from magnolia wood, a noble species characterized by its light, creamy hue. Magnolia is appreciated for its soft touch, lightness and resistance to humidity. It is the wood traditionally used to make scabbards for Japanese swords.

The handle is fitted with a white buffalo horn bolster that joins the blade. In addition to providing perfect balance to the knife, it gives it a refined aesthetic. As wood and horn are natural materials, they can vary in appearance from one knife to another, making each piece unique.

The octagonal handle is designed for ideal ergonomics, suitable for both right- and left-handed users. It guarantees a comfortable grip and great maneuverability, appreciated even during prolonged cutting.

Wood pulp has been added to the junction of the blade and handle to fill small gaps. This makes the knife perfectly watertight, preventing water from seeping inside.

Last but not least, the machi is visible on this knife. This is an extra section of steel near the bolster that can give the impression that the blade is not perfectly inserted into the handle, but this gap is deliberate.

Taking good care of my damask Japanese knife

This Japanese knife should be washed only by hand with a non-abrasive sponge and mild detergent, without wetting the handle. After washing, dry immediately and store in a dry place to avoid any traces of moisture. Do not leave to soak in the sink or put in the dishwasher.

Traditional Toshitaka craftsmanship

Toshitaka is a small cutlery company located in Seki, Japan. It was founded by Toshio Tamada, a craftsman who dedicated 79 years of his life to knife-making, and was originally called Cutlery Tamada. In 2004, it changed its name to Toshitaka, when Takafumi Tamada, the company's current president, decided to expand knife production. The name "Toshitaka" is a combination of the first names Toshio and Takafumi.

The company works with highly experienced craftsmen to preserve tradition and history. Our aim is to provide you with knives of long-lasting sharpness by dedicating the necessary time to each stage of their design. Each blade is heat-treated to improve cutting performance. Since tempering and hardening can lead to deformation of the blades, they are then straightened and their thickness adjusted to ensure optimum sharpness.

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