Kei Kobayashi worked for years as a sharpener and finisher for established blacksmiths in Seki City before forging knives under his own name, and SG2 was his choice of steel for these first offerings. The super-dense grain structure and purity of SG2 make it both harder and less brittle than many comparable steels, giving this 240mm gyuto an edge capable of taking and holding an excellent sharpness over extended use. The SG2 core is clad in a softer stainless Damascus jacket for added protection.
This gyuto is a genuine laser - thin, light, and finished to a high standard throughout. The spine and choil have been carefully rounded for comfortable extended use, and at 243mm this gyuto has the reach for larger proteins and high-volume prep while still moving with the speed and minimal resistance the SG2 laser grind is known for. The rosewood octagonal handle with maple ferrule completes a knife that looks every bit as good as it performs.
What Customers Are Saying: One reviewer calls this the sharpest knife he owns, praising the gorgeous Damascus finish and tasteful handle. The balance point sits just in front of the cutout, which makes a two-finger pinch grip especially comfortable on a knife this long. He does note that food sticks to the blade somewhat, which he attributes to the matte finish, but still calls it a genuinely fine knife 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.
This gyuto is a genuine laser - thin, light, and finished to a high standard throughout. The spine and choil have been carefully rounded for comfortable extended use, and at 243mm this gyuto has the reach for larger proteins and high-volume prep while still moving with the speed and minimal resistance the SG2 laser grind is known for. The rosewood octagonal handle with maple ferrule completes a knife that looks every bit as good as it performs.
What Customers Are Saying: One reviewer calls this the sharpest knife he owns, praising the gorgeous Damascus finish and tasteful handle. The balance point sits just in front of the cutout, which makes a two-finger pinch grip especially comfortable on a knife this long. He does note that food sticks to the blade somewhat, which he attributes to the matte finish, but still calls it a genuinely fine knife 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: 6.0 oz (170 g)
- Blade Length: 243 mm
- Total Length: 399 mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 2 mm
- Blade Height: 53 mm
- Photos by Gustavo Bermudez
Reviews
1 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Beautiful WorkmanshipPosted By: Julian Adamaitis
42 people found this review helpful
This is the sharpest knife I own. The Damascus finish is gorgeous and the handle tasteful. The balance point is right in front of the cutout so a two finger pinch grip works great which is a useful grip for a knife this long. Food does stick to the blade some because of the matt finish but overall this is a fine knife.
42 people found this review helpful
This is the sharpest knife I own. The Damascus finish is gorgeous and the handle tasteful. The balance point is right in front of the cutout so a two finger pinch grip works great which is a useful grip for a knife this long. Food does stick to the blade some because of the matt finish but overall this is a fine knife.
