Ginga means galaxy in Japanese, a fitting name for this line built around ZA-18, one of the more technically impressive stainless steels to enter the kitchen knife market in recent years. Developed by Aichi Steel Co., its composition of 1.2% carbon, 18% chromium, 1.5% molybdenum, and 1.8% cobalt gives it exceptional corrosion resistance, excellent hardness at 60-61 HRC, and a toughness well suited for daily professional use. Takayuki builds the Ginga line around this steel in Sakai, Japan, the city that has supplied roughly 90 percent of the professional knife market in Japan for over 600 years.
This 210mm gyuto wraps the ZA-18 core in 69 layers of Damascus stainless cladding, producing a blade that is as visually striking as it is technically refined. With a generous actual blade length of nearly 220mm, the knife is well proportioned for everyday kitchen work, with enough reach for board cutting and enough knuckle clearance for comfortable chopping. The wenge octagonal handle with buffalo horn ferrule rounds out a premium package that matches the level of the blade.
Care Instructions: ZA-18 is a fully stainless steel with exceptional corrosion resistance - low maintenance and forgiving in a kitchen environment. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher, bones, and frozen foods. Sharpen on quality water stones.Maker: Takayuki
Location: Sakai City, Japan
Construction: San Mai
Edge Steel: ZA-18 Stainless
Cladding: 69-Layer Damascus Stainless
HRC: 60-61
Handle: Wenge Octagonal
Ferrule: Buffalo Horn
Weight: 4.7 oz (132 g)
Blade Length: 217 mm
Total Length: 367 mm
Spine Thickness at Heel: 2 mm
Blade Height: 46 mm
This 210mm gyuto wraps the ZA-18 core in 69 layers of Damascus stainless cladding, producing a blade that is as visually striking as it is technically refined. With a generous actual blade length of nearly 220mm, the knife is well proportioned for everyday kitchen work, with enough reach for board cutting and enough knuckle clearance for comfortable chopping. The wenge octagonal handle with buffalo horn ferrule rounds out a premium package that matches the level of the blade.
Care Instructions: ZA-18 is a fully stainless steel with exceptional corrosion resistance - low maintenance and forgiving in a kitchen environment. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher, bones, and frozen foods. Sharpen on quality water stones.
