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Home | Japanese Kitchen Knives | Sakai Kikumori Nihonkou 240mm Gyuto Carbon Steel

Sakai Kikumori Nihonkou 240mm Gyuto Carbon Steel

$121.00
$121.00
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READ IMPORTANT DELIVERY OPTION INFORMATION

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.



About This Knife

General Purpose

Good for veggies and boneless protein

Avoid Bones & Dense Foods

If you can't bite it, don't cut it.

Carbon Steel

Reactive blade.

Convex Grind

Super smooth cutting feel.

60/40

Slight right-hand bias.

Gyuto

A Japanese chef’s knife inspired by Western profiles, the gyuto is versatile and balanced. It excels on vegetables, boneless meat, and fish. Its pointed tip allows for precision, while the gentle curve supports rocking cuts.

Listed Length: 240mm
Total Length: 367mm
Edge Length: 241mm
Heel Height: 50mm
Spine Thickness: 2mm
Weight:
Orientation: Right-hand Bias

Blade Type: Carbon Steel
Steel Type: SK4 Carbon Steel (JIS SK4)
Steel Hardness (HRC): 63
Maintenance: More Attention
Handle Type: Western
Handle Material: Pakka

  • This is a carbon steel knife made from thin, hard steel.
  • Hand wash and towel dry after use. Do not air dry or place in the dishwasher.
  • Expect oxidation (color change, staining, spotting) with use.
  • Prolonged exposure to moisture or food debris will cause rust; remove any rust with a light abrasive.
  • Remove surface rust gently with a mild abrasive and progress to more aggressive abrasives if needed. Coarse abrasives will leave scratches in most finishes.
  • Avoid twisting, scraping, or use on dense or hard foods and surfaces to avoid early dulling and edge damage. If you wouldn't bite into it, don't cut it with this knife.
  • Use on wooden cutting boards only. Do not use bamboo, plastic, stone or metal cutting surfaces.

Dive Deeper

Medium-fine finish

We recommend sharpening by hand using whetstones starting around 1000 grit progressing to at least 4000 for this steel type and edge geometry. Finish with a monodiachrome strop for a smooth cut with a substantial bite. Finer finishes are possible, but the knife may slide on smooth foods and overall edge retention may suffer. During repair, use a super coarse stone to pass chips quickly to help keep flat bevels.

  • Avoid pull-through sharpeners and non-water-cooled mechanized systems.
  • Strops and ceramic honing rods are preferred for as-needed edge maintenance. If you have to use a honing rod to be able to use the knife comfortably, it's time to sharpen the knife.

Sharpening Supplies

Stones & Accessories selected specifically for this knife.

Arato-kun #220 Extra Coarse Grit Whetstone

Arato-kun #220 Extra Coarse Grit Whetstone

$34.00
$34.00
Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi 1200 Grit Blue Marble Semi-Soft Ceramic Japanese Whetstone

Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi 1200 Grit Blue Marble Semi-Soft Ceramic Japanese Whetstone

$74.00
$74.00
Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi 4000 Grit Yellow Semi-Hard Resinoid Japanese Whetstone

Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi 4000 Grit Yellow Semi-Hard Resinoid Japanese Whetstone

$82.00
$82.00
Arashiyama #6000 Whetstone Stone NO Wooden Base

Arashiyama #6000 Whetstone Stone NO Wooden Base

$58.00
$58.00
Arashiyama #6000 Whetstone With Nagura Stone and Wooden Base

Arashiyama #6000 Whetstone With Nagura Stone and Wooden Base

$62.00
$62.00
Bernal Cutlery Monodiachrome™ Precharged Deburring Strop

Bernal Cutlery Monodiachrome™ Precharged Deburring Strop

$40.00
$40.00



SK4 Carbon Steel (JIS SK4)

Carbon (C): 0.9%| Manganese (Mn): 0.5%| Silicon (Si): 0.25%| Phosphorus/Sulfur: trace

A simple Japanese carbon steel (~0.9% C) similar to 1095, SK4 offers good hardness and sharpness with basic heat treatment. Typically hardened around 60 HRC, it’s affordable and tough, often used for utility and entry-level blades. Fully reactive, it patinas quickly but sharpens easily.



About Sakai Kikumori

Sakai, Osaka, Japan

Sakai Kikumori is a distinguished Japanese knife brand established in 1926 by Kawamura Hamono Co., Ltd., located in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture—a region renowned for its 600-year-old blade-making tradition. Rather than manufacturing knives in-house, Sakai Kikumori collaborates with some of Sakai’s most skilled blacksmiths and sharpeners to produce high-quality kitchen knives. This collaborative approach ensures a diverse and refined selection of knives that honor Sakai’s legacy of craftsmanship.

See All Sakai Kikumori