Kobayashi SG2 Damascus Gyuto 210mm

SG2 is considered by many to be one of the finest blade steels in the world for kitchen knives, prized for a super-dense, pure grain structure that makes it both harder and less brittle than comparable steels. Kei Kobayashi chose it as his first offering when he moved from years of sharpening and finishing knives for other blacksmiths in Seki City into forging knives under his own name. The SG2 core in this gyuto is clad in a softer stainless Damascus jacket for added protection and easier sharpening.

This is a genuine laser in every sense - thin, light, and capable of falling through produce and proteins with very little resistance. The spine and choil are carefully rounded for comfortable use, and the rosewood octagonal handle with maple ferrule provides a comfortable, well-balanced grip even at this longer length.

What Customers Are Saying: Reviewers consistently describe this knife as a true laser, not a workhorse - thin enough that one reviewer put a couple of light bends in his blade during early use and cautions buyers to keep it away from bones or hard prying tasks, while emphasizing how effortlessly it falls through vegetables and clean proteins. Multiple reviewers note some food sticking to the blade, which they attribute to the slight matte finish on the Damascus combined with the thinness of the blade itself, though most still call the cutting feel superb and the handle beautiful. One owner who also has a Yoshimi Kato in HSS reports he is increasingly preferring the Kobayashi, noting the factory edge arrived very sharp and has only improved with light honing. Another calls it the most aesthetically beautiful knife in his collection, praising the pinch grip and skillful construction, while noting the balance point sits slightly forward given how light the blade is overall.

Care Instructions: SG2 is stainless and highly resistant to rust, but it is hard and somewhat chip-prone at this hardness level. Use wood or rubber cutting boards only. Avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard materials. Hand wash and dry after use - no dishwasher. Strop regularly between sharpenings and use quality water stones when a full sharpening is needed.

• Blacksmith: Kei Kobayashi
• Location: Seki City, Japan
• Construction: San Mai
• Edge Steel: SG2 Stainless (R2)
• Cladding: Stainless Damascus
• HRC: 63
• Handle: Rosewood Octagonal
• Ferrule: Maple
• Weight: 4.9 oz (140 g)
• Blade Length: 214 mm
• Total Length: 357 mm
• Spine Thickness at Base: 2 mm
• Blade Height: 47 mm