Kanetsugu Zuiun steel SPG2 damascus 21cm Japanese Kiritsuke Chef's knife

The Kanetsugu brand was founded in 1918 by Matsujiro Kawamura, a descendant of the eponymous Japanese sword maker. For over a hundred years, Kanetsugu has been offering high-performance, long-lasting kitchen knives to make cutting easier. To celebrate the brand's centenary, the Kanetsugu Zuiun knife series was born!

It perfectly combines the latest technologies with the traditional techniques of the blacksmiths of yesteryear. Zuiun means "the cloud that appears as a happy omen", a fitting name to celebrate the brand's 100th anniversary.

This 21cm Kiritsuke chef's knife can be used to cut all kinds of food, as it is a multifunctional knife. The special feature of a Kiritsuke knife is that its blade has a marked angle. It's this detail that makes it strongly resemble a traditional sword, and adds authenticity.

Blade :

It features a core of SPG2 steel, which is powder-metallurgically produced (unlike so-called solid steel). Powder metallurgy involves a complex process of grinding metal particles, gradually adding other elements that must be part of the alloy. The whole is then compacted using hydraulic presses, then sintered (with the addition of a high-temperature heat treatment) to consolidate the whole. As a result, the resulting steel is more homogeneous in composition, which is an advantage in terms of durability.

This core contains 1.3% carbon, which considerably increases the hardness of the cutting wire. Thanks to this characteristic, you can sharpen it with precision, as the alloy can withstand hard work to obtain a razor-sharp edge. Reaching a hardness of -+63 HRC on the Rockwell scale, the blade retains a sharp edge over the long term.

The core is then surrounded by softer steels to protect it (as it is porous, and therefore more sensitive to humidity): the blade is called damascened. This gives the knife a slight suppleness (making it less brittle in use). What's more, damascus is highly aesthetic, and you can admire the criss-crossing waves on the cutting surface, unique to each knife.

The blade benefits from a special tempering process known as Sub-Zero treatment. This involves heating the steel to a temperature of -70C° in the space of a few seconds. The aim is to increase the blade's rigidity and perfect its cutting edge, which can more easily be brought to a razor-sharp finish.

The knife's cutting edge is Hamaguri-ba finished, i.e. shaped like that of a Japanese sword. This guarantees clean, precise cuts.

Handle:

The handle is made of Pakkawood, a tough composite material of laminated wood and resin, all hot-pressed together. The result is very similar to wood, and you can see the original veins created by the blend of materials all along the grip surface.

A unique rivet with a magnificent mosaic logo is visible at the end of the sleeve. The black Bolster ties in with the superb damask blade. The whole contrasts beautifully. The handle is even more original in that it is cut into 7 facets. This unique shape fits perfectly into the palm of your hand.

The knife comes in an elegant box made of light, polished paulownia wood, with a beautiful Japanese design on the top. This makes it easy to give as a gift, or to treat yourself.

Care: wash the knife by hand and wipe dry immediately with a soft cloth, before storing it away from moisture. This way, you'll be able to keep it looking as good as new for years to come.

Discover the Kanetsugu Zuiun range on KnifeLeader!