Sakai Kikumori Nihonkou 180mm Petty Carbon Default

Sakai Kikumori’s Nihonkou line are reasonably priced factory made carbon steel knives with a carbon content of .95%, hardened to approx 63 HRC. Nihonkou knives’ thin mono-steel blades are super easy to sharpen and get a nice edge that holds well.

Sometimes among comparisons of Japanese carbon steels SK family steels are viewed as inferior to more refined shirogami or aogami however when making single steel knives SK has its advantages. SK steel rusts slower than many other carbon steels like aogami or shirogami and has a good toughness which benefits a thin mono steel knife.

This is a non-stainless carbon steel, it should be mentioned that extra care is required, it should be washed and dried immediately after use. It will develop a dark patina with usage, but any orange rust should be removed with a light abrasive.

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 materials and styles to more modern, western influenced styles and materials.