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Home | Japanese Kitchen Knives | Sakai Kikumori Nakagawa Seiun 180mm Santoku VG10 Ebony with Saya

Sakai Kikumori Nakagawa Seiun 180mm Santoku VG10 Ebony with Saya

€790,04
€790,04
Sold Out

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Hand forged by Nakagawa Hamono for Sakai Kikumori. Seiun translates to 'nebula', stars and clouds in Kanji, speaking to their shimmering finish. 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-spined knifes in our stock, they are impressively thin behind the edge due to an expertly convex hamaguri grind and will prove so in a 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.

Everyday Prep

Good for veggies and boneless protein

Avoid Bones & Dense Foods

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

Stainless Steel

Non-reactive blade.

Convex Grind

Super smooth cutting feel.

Ambidextrous

Suitable for all users.

Santoku

Santoku means "three virtues," referring to its versatility with meat, fish, and vegetables. It has a shorter, wider blade than a gyuto with a flat edge and slight curve that excels at chopping and low mincing. Ideal for home cooks due to it's smaller size range for general prep across a range of ingredients.

Listed Length: 180mm
Total Length: 324mm
Edge Length: 172mm
Heel Height: 47mm
Spine Thickness: 3mm
Weight:
Orientation: Ambidextrous

Blade Type: Stainless Steel
Steel Type: VG10
Steel Hardness (HRC): 61-62
Maintenance: Less Attention
Handle Type: Japanese (wa)
Handle Material: Ebony & Buffalo Horn

  • This is a stainless steel knife made from thin, hard steel.
  • Hand wash and towel dry after use. Do not air dry or use the dishwasher. Regular neglect can lead to oxidation.
  • 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, cheap plastics or metal cutting boards.

Dive Deeper

Fine - Japanese Double Bevel

Sharpening Supplies

Stones & Accessories selected specifically for this knife.

Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi 500 Grit Soft & Fast Ceramic Japanese Whetstone

Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi 500 Grit Soft & Fast Ceramic Japanese Whetstone

€40,07
€40,07
Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi 4000 Grit Yellow Semi-Hard Resinoid Japanese Whetstone

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

€71,43
€71,43
Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi 1200 Grit Blue Marble Semi-Soft Ceramic Japanese Whetstone

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

€64,46
€64,46
Naniwa Chosera Pro 800 Whetstone

Naniwa Chosera Pro 800 Whetstone

€59,23
€59,23
Naniwa Chosera Pro 400 Whetstone

Naniwa Chosera Pro 400 Whetstone

€55,75
€55,75
Naniwa Chosera Pro 1000 Whetstone

Naniwa Chosera Pro 1000 Whetstone

€67,94
€67,94
Naniwa Chosera Pro 2000 Whetstone

Naniwa Chosera Pro 2000 Whetstone

€74,91
€74,91
Naniwa Chosera Pro 5000 Whetstone

Naniwa Chosera Pro 5000 Whetstone

€134,14
€134,14
Sold Out
Arashiyama #1000 Whetstone Medium Hard with Natural Grit

Arashiyama #1000 Whetstone Medium Hard with Natural Grit

€36,58
€36,58
Arashiyama #6000 Whetstone Stone NO Wooden Base

Arashiyama #6000 Whetstone Stone NO Wooden Base

€50,52
€50,52
Arashiyama #6000 Whetstone With Nagura Stone and Wooden Base

Arashiyama #6000 Whetstone With Nagura Stone and Wooden Base

€54,00
€54,00
Kitayama #8000 Whetstone with Nagura and Wooden Base

Kitayama #8000 Whetstone with Nagura and Wooden Base

€73,17
€73,17
Bernal Cutlery Chromium Oxide Precharged Deburring Strop

Bernal Cutlery Chromium Oxide Precharged Deburring Strop

€30,49
€30,49
Atoma #140 Diamond Stone No Holder

Atoma #140 Diamond Stone No Holder

€91,46
€91,46

VG10

Carbon (C): 0.95–1.05% | Chromium (Cr): 14.5–15.5% | Molybdenum (Mo): 0.9–1.2% | Vanadium (V): 0.1–0.3% | Cobalt (Co): 1.3–1.5%

VG‑10 is a cobalt‑bearing stainless famed for combining hardness (~60–62 HRC), corrosion resistance, and fine sharpening response. It takes a very refined edge and holds it well; micro‑chipping can occur on thin edges but is manageable with sound geometry.

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