Sakai Takayuki has been producing knives in Sakai, Japan since 1946, drawing on a blade-making tradition that stretches back over 600 years. The Kurokage line is one of their most visually distinctive: VG10 stainless steel at 60-61 HRC, san mai construction, tsuchime (hammered) finish on the stainless cladding, and a smooth black Teflon coating that provides exceptional food release and a dark, striking appearance. Kurokage means dark shadow - and the name fits. Octagonal wenge wood handle with Tokyo-style machi gap.
The santoku - three virtues in Japanese, for slicing, dicing, and mincing - is the all-purpose kitchen knife for cooks who prefer a shorter, compact blade. At 173mm and 48mm height the Kurokage santoku has the visual presence to match its cutting performance. The Teflon coating gives this format a particular advantage with sticky vegetables - potatoes, onions, squash, and soft cheese all release cleanly from the blade surface. Tokyo-style machi gap. Hand-chiseled kanji engraving. The VG10 edge is fully stainless and low maintenance. Clean with a soft cloth - the Teflon surface handles fast.
What Customers Are Saying: One five-star review. The buyer describes it as unusually beautiful with a smoky appearance that is unique - and notes the Teflon coating was immediately useful: everything cut slides off the blade, making it easy to clean. He sharpened it right away, found it sharpened very easily, and describes the cutting as nice. The solid feel in hand and the heft are called out as positives. Calls it good value and highly recommends it.
Care Instructions: VG10 is a fully stainless steel - low maintenance and resistant to corrosion. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher. The Teflon coating provides excellent food release and is durable under normal kitchen use, but avoid abrasive scrubbers or steel wool which can damage the coating over time. Sharpen only on the polished VG10 edge - not on the Teflon-coated cladding. Use quality water stones or a ceramic rod. Avoid bones and frozen foods.
The santoku - three virtues in Japanese, for slicing, dicing, and mincing - is the all-purpose kitchen knife for cooks who prefer a shorter, compact blade. At 173mm and 48mm height the Kurokage santoku has the visual presence to match its cutting performance. The Teflon coating gives this format a particular advantage with sticky vegetables - potatoes, onions, squash, and soft cheese all release cleanly from the blade surface. Tokyo-style machi gap. Hand-chiseled kanji engraving. The VG10 edge is fully stainless and low maintenance. Clean with a soft cloth - the Teflon surface handles fast.
What Customers Are Saying: One five-star review. The buyer describes it as unusually beautiful with a smoky appearance that is unique - and notes the Teflon coating was immediately useful: everything cut slides off the blade, making it easy to clean. He sharpened it right away, found it sharpened very easily, and describes the cutting as nice. The solid feel in hand and the heft are called out as positives. Calls it good value and highly recommends it.
Care Instructions: VG10 is a fully stainless steel - low maintenance and resistant to corrosion. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher. The Teflon coating provides excellent food release and is durable under normal kitchen use, but avoid abrasive scrubbers or steel wool which can damage the coating over time. Sharpen only on the polished VG10 edge - not on the Teflon-coated cladding. Use quality water stones or a ceramic rod. Avoid bones and frozen foods.
- Maker: Sakai Takayuki
- Location: Sakai, Japan
- Construction: San Mai
- Edge Steel: VG10 Stainless Steel
- Cladding: Stainless Hammered Tsuchime
- Coating: Black Teflon
- HRC: 60-61
- Finish: Hammered Tsuchime with Teflon Coating
- Edge Grind: Even 50/50 Double Bevel
- Handle: Octagonal Wenge Wood
- Handle Installation: Tokyo-Style Machi Gap
- Weight: 5.0 oz (140g)
- Blade Length: 173mm
- Total Length: 317mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 2mm
- Blade Height: 48mm
Reviews
1 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Beautiful and PracticalPosted By: Scott Kinsloe
51 people found this review helpful
This is an unusually beautiful knife; it has a smokey appearance that is unique. But what I immediately liked about it other than aesthetics, was the teflon coating. Everything I cut so far just slides off the knife, which also makes it east to clean.
Fairly sharp out of the box. I immediately sharpened it which was very easy; it cuts nicely.
I also noticed the knife has some heft that I appreciated. Feels solid in your hand.
Good value. Highly recommend
51 people found this review helpful
This is an unusually beautiful knife; it has a smokey appearance that is unique. But what I immediately liked about it other than aesthetics, was the teflon coating. Everything I cut so far just slides off the knife, which also makes it east to clean.
Fairly sharp out of the box. I immediately sharpened it which was very easy; it cuts nicely.
I also noticed the knife has some heft that I appreciated. Feels solid in your hand.
Good value. Highly recommend
