Sakai Takayuki Santoku VG-10 Damascus 180mm (7.1")

Handcrafted in the renowned Sakai Takayuki smithy, this 180mm Santoku pairs a 61 HRC VG-10 core with stainless Damascus cladding for lasting sharpness and corrosion resistance. The tsuchime finish adds texture and reduces sticking, while the aggressive K-tip geometry offers surgical precision. Finished with a balanced Western (Yo) handle for confident, controlled movement.

BLADE SHAPE:
The Santoku, meaning “three virtues,” excels at slicing meat, fish, and vegetables with ease. Its thin, slightly curved blade allows for precise rocking cuts and delicate work. Balanced and lightweight, it offers comfort and control—ideal for both home cooks and professionals.

*The length of the cutting edge is 163mm (heel to point), but with this knife the length is measured from the edge of the handle to the tip of the blade, amounting to 160mm.

STEEL:
VG-10 (V for Vanadium, G for "gold" as in "gold standard") is made by Takefu Special Steel Company, a relatively small steel company that around 60 years ago managed to find just the right balance of different elements to create the most popular Japanese knife making steel today. VG-10 steel is stainless steel with relatively high Carbon (C) content (1%), 15% Chromium (Cr), 1% Molybdenum (Mo), 0.3% Vanadium (V), and 1.5% Cobalt (Co). The combination of Cr, Mo, and V forms a lot of hard carbides, making the steel abrasion-resistant, which translates to long-lasting, smooth sharpness. 

LAMINATION:
The core layer consisting of VG-10 steel was sandwiched between layers of softer, pliable steel that had been forged together to create a rippling damascus pattern. This technique is called  san-mai and is used to improve the blade's structural integrity and subsequent ability to withstand impacts and to prevent chipping. San-mai translates to “three layers” in Japanese, referring to a blade that is composed of a primary, inner layer of harder steel (hagane) and two secondary, outer layers of softer steel (jigane) that protect the prior.

GEOMETRY:
It has a double bevel (symmetrical) blade so it is suitable for both left- and right-handed users. Based on the ratio between the surfaces (the location of the angle change), this knife's profile is classified as a flat V-edge type, which makes it less brittle and easier to resharpen.

BLADE FINISH:
The upper part of the blade features a hammered pattern, which then transform into an intricate damascus finish that flows down to the cutting edge. The blade was treated with hammer blows, resulting in a textured tsuchime look, which gives it a beautiful finish and also prevents food from sticking to the blade.

HANDLE:
The knife was fitted a western-style (Yo) ergonomic handle made of durable pakkawood wood, secured to the tang with three stainless rivets. The also stainless nickel-silver bolster gives the knife a gentle transition from the handle to the blade and provides a comfortable and firm grip during use.

BLACKSMITH:
Sakai Takayuki blades come from the town of Sakai and have a rich, 600-year old history. They are very recognizable and popular in the traditional Japanese kitchen. All knives are handmade by renowned craftsmen, who offer a lot of models made of different materials.