Sakai Kikumori Choyo 180mm Santoku Shirogami 2 with Saya

Sakai Kikumori ‘Choyo’ 180mm Santoku. Double bevel shirogami #2 core with mirror polish iron cladding. Octagonal magnolia wood and water buffalo ferrule handle. Comes with saya.

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.

Shirogami #2 is very responsive to sharpening stones, taking an extremely fine but biting edge easily. It is a highly reactive carbon steel.

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 Shirogami 2 knives are forged by Tanaka Hamono. Tanaka-san’s top level forging and heat treatments make for unusually easy sharpening, superb edge life and toughness.

Choyo grinder and polisher is Morihiro Hamono. Morihiro-san's grinding is superb; he pioneered this 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.

These knives come from the maker with lacquer on the blade for corrosion protection during shipping. It can be removed using acetone or lacquer thinner (follow manufacturers instructions for use).

We can remove the lacquer prior to shipping for an additional charge. Please add the suggested “Lacquer Removal” to your cart and proceed with checkout. Please note that lacquer removal can delay your order by up to one week.