Sakai Kikumori Nakagawa Seiun 240mm Gyuto VG10 Ebony with Saya

Hand forged by Nakagawa Hamono for Sakai Kikumori.  Seiun translates to ‘nebula’, stars and clouds in Kanji.  It’s not difficult to appreciate both beauty and functionality in these knives, as they represent the best version of VG10 available.  While not the thinnest at the spine of our stock, behind the edge they are impressively thin due to an expertly convex hamaguri grind and will prove so in smooth, effortless cutting feel.  

Nakagawa-san’s knives are characterized by excellent heat control during forging and a very thorough heat treatment.  This creates knives that have superb edge formation and edge retention, with good toughness. Nakagawa-san’s reputation is well earned as one of a few blacksmiths in Sakai to expertly forge Ginsanko, VG10, and STRIX stainless steels. Likewise, his carbon steels are easy to sharpen across most steel types.

Sakai Kikumori was started in 1926 and draws on Sakai’s 600 year history as the major center of traditional Japanese cutlery manufacturing. They work with a large variety of Sakai’s best smiths, sharpeners and small factories to offer a wide variety of knives ranging from traditional to modern.

Hand wash and dry before storing. Do not leave wet and do not use a dishwasher. Rust can be removed with a light abrasive.

Hardwood-end grain or softwood long grain cutting boards are preferred. Avoid bamboo and plastic cutting boards.