This 210mm gyuto comes from Yoshikazu Tanaka, one of the most respected names in Sakai, a city with centuries of blacksmithing history south of Osaka. Tanaka forges knives for a long list of well known brands and resellers in addition to his own name, and his reputation rests largely on his heat treatment and his forging skill.
One distinctive trait of his work is a wider, more visible clad line between the hagane core and the jigane cladding than most other makers leave exposed, a detail collectors specifically look for. This gyuto is made from Blue #1 carbon steel, set into a soft iron jigane finished in kurouchi, with the dark upper blade contrasting against a sand blasted lower face along the shinogi. Kanji elements decorate the spine, and the handle is an octagonal rosewood with a colored pakka wood ferrule. As with most knives out of Sakai, the actual measurements tend to run a little shorter than the size in the name, so check the spec list below for the true dimensions.
What Customers Are Saying:Reviewers consistently describe this gyuto as feeling like an extension of their arm right out of the box, with one buyer with notably large hands calling it the most natural fitting knife they own and reaching for it even for tasks a smaller knife would normally handle. Another longtime CKTG customer on their sixth or seventh purchase opted for the finish sharpening service for the first time and called the resulting edge superb, praising both the knife and the responsiveness of the CKTG team throughout the order.
Care Instructions:Blue #1 is a reactive carbon steel and the soft iron cladding is reactive as well, so wipe and dry the blade immediately after every use rather than letting it sit. Avoid leaving acidic foods against the blade for long stretches, and apply a light coat of camellia oil for longer term storage. Hand wash only, and sharpen on quality water stones, since Blue #1 rewards careful technique and holds an edge for a long stretch once it is properly set.
One distinctive trait of his work is a wider, more visible clad line between the hagane core and the jigane cladding than most other makers leave exposed, a detail collectors specifically look for. This gyuto is made from Blue #1 carbon steel, set into a soft iron jigane finished in kurouchi, with the dark upper blade contrasting against a sand blasted lower face along the shinogi. Kanji elements decorate the spine, and the handle is an octagonal rosewood with a colored pakka wood ferrule. As with most knives out of Sakai, the actual measurements tend to run a little shorter than the size in the name, so check the spec list below for the true dimensions.
What Customers Are Saying:Reviewers consistently describe this gyuto as feeling like an extension of their arm right out of the box, with one buyer with notably large hands calling it the most natural fitting knife they own and reaching for it even for tasks a smaller knife would normally handle. Another longtime CKTG customer on their sixth or seventh purchase opted for the finish sharpening service for the first time and called the resulting edge superb, praising both the knife and the responsiveness of the CKTG team throughout the order.
Care Instructions:Blue #1 is a reactive carbon steel and the soft iron cladding is reactive as well, so wipe and dry the blade immediately after every use rather than letting it sit. Avoid leaving acidic foods against the blade for long stretches, and apply a light coat of camellia oil for longer term storage. Hand wash only, and sharpen on quality water stones, since Blue #1 rewards careful technique and holds an edge for a long stretch once it is properly set.
- Blacksmith: Yoshikazu Tanaka
- Sharpener: Tsuyoshi Yauchi
- Location: Sakai, Japan
- Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
- Edge Steel: Blue #1 (Aogami #1)
- Cladding: Soft Iron
- Finish: Kurouchi
- Hardness: 62-64 HRC
- Handle: Rosewood Octagonal
- Ferrule: Colored Pakka Wood
- Weight: 5.9 oz (170 g)
- Blade Length: 201 mm
- Total Length: 354 mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 3 mm
- Blade Height: 47 mm
Reviews
2 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Holy Crap, December 18, 2024Posted By: Eric Barnello
45 people found this review helpful
I don't even know where to begin on this. Gorgeous design with all the equal parts perfection and imperfection you come to appreciate with this level artisanship. Out of the box, it feels right in the hand (and I have some giant bear paws), and of all of the knives I've purchased over my life, this one actually feels like an extension of my arm. I use it for everything, even nonsense I could relegate to a simpler, smaller knife. I'm really struggling to not purchase the 120 and 150mm as well because I adore this line. Definitely regret missing the 240 though!
45 people found this review helpful
I don't even know where to begin on this. Gorgeous design with all the equal parts perfection and imperfection you come to appreciate with this level artisanship. Out of the box, it feels right in the hand (and I have some giant bear paws), and of all of the knives I've purchased over my life, this one actually feels like an extension of my arm. I use it for everything, even nonsense I could relegate to a simpler, smaller knife. I'm really struggling to not purchase the 120 and 150mm as well because I adore this line. Definitely regret missing the 240 though!
Incredible QualityPosted By: Bob Carpenter
42 people found this review helpful
I just received this knife from CKTG,I added the finish sharpening..This is the sixth or seventh knife I've bought from them and the first time adding the finish sharpening..The service is great,they answer my questions and give advice quickly..As for the knife,it's the highest quality I have in every respect,and the sharpening was superb,A really great knife.
42 people found this review helpful
I just received this knife from CKTG,I added the finish sharpening..This is the sixth or seventh knife I've bought from them and the first time adding the finish sharpening..The service is great,they answer my questions and give advice quickly..As for the knife,it's the highest quality I have in every respect,and the sharpening was superb,A really great knife.
