Sakai Takayuki "Rinka" Ginsan(Silver #3) Mirror Sakura and Waka Engraved 390mm Sakimaru Takohiki

This is Sakai Takayuki’s "Rinka" (凛華), a Sakimaru Takohiki handcrafted by Sakai craftsman Mr. Takuji Yamatsuka using Ginsan (Silver #3) steel. It is then sharpened and finished by hand mirror polish by sharpener Mr. Mitsuo Yamatsuka, and a melancholic Waka (traditional Japanese poem) is engraved onto the mirror-polished blade by Ms. Michiko Kubota. This Sakimaru Takohiki comes with a custom-fitted Urushi-painted saya.

Meaning of the Waka: The moon may serve as a mirror of this world, beholding the transitory nature of everything on Earth.

Spec:

• Origin (Made in): Sakai, Japan
• Brand: Sakai Takayuki
• Craftsman: Mr. Takuji Yamatsuka
• Sharpener: Mr. Mitsuo Yamatsuka
• Engraver: Ms. Michiko Kubota
• Knife Type: Sakimaru Takohiki
• Blade
• Construction: Awase (Kasumi)
• Grind: Single Bevel (Right-handed)
• Hagane (Core Steel): Ginsan (Silver #3)
• Jigane (Cladding): Stainless Steel
  
• Hardness: 60-61 HRC
• Hand-forged, hand-ground, hand-sharpened
• Blade Finishes:
• Kyomen (Mirror)
• Kasumi Polish
• Blade Length: 390mm (15.4")
• Blade Height (at heel): 33mm
• Spine Thickness
• Above heel: 4.1mm
• Middle: 3.4mm
• Handle
• Premium Custom Handle
• Shape: Hachikaku (Octagonal)
• Material: Urushi
• Kuchiwa: Black Buffalo Horn
• Length: 167mm
• Overall Length: 564mm
• Weight: 279g (9.84oz)
• Engraved Mark (Front): Special Sakura(Cherry Blossom) Pattern ; Waka (Traditional Japanese Poetry) ; In Japanese Kanji "Sakai Takayuki " (堺孝行)
  
• Engraved Mark (Back): In Japanese Kanji "Silver #3" (銀三鋼)
• Includes Custom fitted Urushi Saya made by Sakai Takayuki

About Sakai Takayuki 堺 孝行

Sakai Takayuki is Sakai's top knife maker and artisan workshop. Japan's Sakai region has a knife making history of 600 years. Among these knife makers, Sakai Takayuki is a representative of Sakai's long history of making blades. The quality of the finish and details of the forging technique are handed down over generations of fine craftsmen. Today Sakai Takayuki is sold to over 100 countries around the world. Their uncompromising knife making passion has attracted passionate customers beyond the border of Japan.

Care:

Ginsan (Gin3 or Silver #3) is a stainless carbon steel, with 14% added Chromium. Retaining the character of Japanese carbon steel, with similar hardness of Shirogami #2, Ginsan is stainless. It's edge retention is only slightly inferior to Shirogami #2, but the fact that it combines ease of sharpening, carbon steel character as well being stainless makes it a great choice for those who wish to have a Japanese carbon steel knife that is easy to maintain.

Cutting Surface:

Recommended cutting surface: wood, rubberized boards and high-end composites, and quality plastics such as polyethene 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.