ZA-18 is one of the more technically impressive stainless steels to enter the kitchen knife market in recent years. Developed by Aichi Steel Co., its composition - 1.20 percent carbon, 18 percent chromium, 1.5 percent molybdenum, and 1.8 percent cobalt - gives it exceptional corrosion resistance, excellent hardness at 60-61 HRC, and a toughness that makes it well-suited for a knife that will see daily professional use. Takayuki builds the Ginga line around this steel in Sakai, Japan - the city that has supplied roughly 90 percent of Japan professional knife market for over 600 years - wrapping the ZA-18 core in 69 layers of Damascus stainless cladding for a blade that is visually striking and technically refined.
The santoku - three virtues in Japanese, for slicing, dicing, and mincing - is the ideal format for this combination of steel and construction. At 185mm blade length and 46mm height with a 2mm spine this Ginga santoku is well-proportioned for all-purpose kitchen work - enough height for comfortable knuckle clearance, enough length for efficient board cutting. The 69-layer Damascus pattern is polished and bold, unique to each blade. Wenge octagonal handle with buffalo horn ferrule - a premium pairing 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.
Each knife is made by hand so measurements may vary.
The santoku - three virtues in Japanese, for slicing, dicing, and mincing - is the ideal format for this combination of steel and construction. At 185mm blade length and 46mm height with a 2mm spine this Ginga santoku is well-proportioned for all-purpose kitchen work - enough height for comfortable knuckle clearance, enough length for efficient board cutting. The 69-layer Damascus pattern is polished and bold, unique to each blade. Wenge octagonal handle with buffalo horn ferrule - a premium pairing 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.
Each knife is made by hand so measurements may vary.
- Maker: Takayuki
- Location: Sakai City, Japan
- Construction: San Mai
- Edge Steel: ZA-18 Stainless Steel
- Cladding: 69-Layer Damascus Stainless
- HRC: 60-61
- Handle: Wenge Octagonal
- Ferrule: Buffalo Horn
- Weight: 4.6 oz (130g)
- Blade Length: 185mm
- Total Length: 326mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 2mm
- Blade Height: 46mm
