New Old Stock Sakai Kikumori Choyo 240mm Gyuto Aogami 1 Quince Blonde Horn

Sakai Kikumori Choyo gyuto with unused new old stock blade (2016-18) and new octagonal quince and blonde horn handle. 

Double-bevel, aogami 1 core with mirror-polish iron cladding. The double-bevel knives from this series cut nearly effortlessly but still have an authoritative solid feel. However, these knives are ground very thin behind the edge and will not tolerate mistreatment.

Aogami 1 has the best edge formation of the aogami steels. It typically works at slightly finer finishes and has excellent edge life when finished well.

Choyo series knives represent some of the best of Sakai’s knife making. They are made by craftspeople who are highly respected for preserving demanding traditional techniques while contributing their own refinements and creativity to the trade.

Choyo Aogami 1 knives are forged by Tanaka Hamono. Tanaka-san’s top level forging and heat treatments make for unusually easy sharpening, excellent edge life and toughness. 

Choyo grinder and polisher is Morihiro Hamono. Morihiro-san's grinding is superb; he pioneered this type of low kiriba grind on wa-gyuto. The characteristic result of this grinding and polishing are the even, wide bevels, chamfered spine and brilliant mirror polish.

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.

Laquer has been removed, with saya. box shows slight wear and paper sheath has tape from previous owner, this knife is unused.