Takeshi Saji Aogami Super Kurouchi Tsuchime 180mm Santoku with Ironwood Handle

This Santoku is handcrafted by Echizen master blacksmith Takeshi Saji using Aogami Super (Blue Super) core steel, and heat-treated to 63-64 HRC. A kurouchi finish is applied to the jigane, on which tsuchime patterns were hand hammered. The grind is beautifully done as with all Saji knives, with a refined kasumi finish applied. Superb thin behind-the-edge and fantastically tapered, the grind gives the knife extraordinary cutting smoothness.

Spec:

• Origin (Made in): Echizen, Fukui Prefecture, Japan
• Brand: Takeshi Saji
• Craftsman: Takeshi Saji
• Knife Type: Santoku
  
• Blade
• Construction: San Mai
• Grind: Double-edged Blade (50/50 Grind)
• Hagane (Core Steel): Aogami Super (Blue Super)
• Jigane (Cladding): Stainless Steel
• Hardness: 63-64 HRC
• Hand-forged, hand-grinded, hand-sharpened
• Blade Finishes:
• Tsuchime (Hammered)
• Kurouchi
  
• Kasumi Polish
• Blade Length: 180mm (7.1")
• Blade Height (at heel): 50mm
• Spine Thickness
• Above heel: 2.4mm
• Middle: 1.8mm
• Handle
• Shape: Western-shaped
• Material: Desert Ironwood
  
• Bolster: Stainless Steel
• Length: 122mm
• Overall Length: 308mm
• Weight: 229g (8.08oz)
• Hand Chiseled Mark: In Japanese Kanji "Saji Made" (佐治作)

About Takeshi Saji 佐治 武士

Master Saji is the third generation blacksmith of Takefu City, Fukui Prefecture, who has been certified as a traditional knife craftsman at the age of 44. Now in his 70s, with over 30 years of experience in making handcrafted knives, Master Saji makes breathtakingly beautiful Damascus knives, which often paired with unique custom handles such as handcrafted ironwood handles. Having become a legend in hunting knife making, Master Saji has a unique eye for fine finish, and he's also innovating constantly by bringing new looks to knives.

Care:

Aogami Super (Blue Super) steel is considered the most superior Japanese high carbon steel for knife making. It is not stainless, therefore you must wipe your knife dry after each use, in particular the core steel not covered by the stainless cladding. Patina will develop over time, which will appear as “discoloration” on the cutting edge, but that is the nature of carbon steel - not a defect. The stainless cladding covers a large part of the blade, making maintenance easier but still preserving the cutting and sharpening pleasure of the Aogami Super core. Avoid cutting into bones, frozen foods, hard fruit pits.

Cutting Surface:

Recommended cutting surface: wood, rubberized boards and high-end composites, and quality plastics such as polyethylene make acceptable cutting surfaces, and will help protect and prolong knife’s edge. AVOID glass, metal, countertops, and other rigid, non-forgiving surfaces.

Sharpening:

We recommend sharpening all quality Japanese knives on whetstones, as we believe they yield the best results for your knives.