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 1.20 percent carbon, 18 percent chromium, 1.5 percent molybdenum, and 1.80 percent 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 petty 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. At 153mm blade length, the knife handles the detailed, in-hand work every kitchen needs - trimming, peeling, segmenting citrus, and mincing small ingredients - with the edge quality and corrosion resistance ZA-18 is known for. 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.
This petty 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. At 153mm blade length, the knife handles the detailed, in-hand work every kitchen needs - trimming, peeling, segmenting citrus, and mincing small ingredients - with the edge quality and corrosion resistance ZA-18 is known for. 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: 2.3 oz (66 g)
- Blade Length: 153mm
- Total Length: 280mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 2mm
- Blade Height: 29mm
