Takayuki Nanairo Kengata 190mm

Sakai Takayuki Nanairo is a new line as of 2021 and comes with nice VG10 stainless steel blades combined with lovely custom urushi handles. Their products span the entire gamut of kitchen cutlery. In 1982, Takayuki received the high honor of having their knives designated as Traditional Arts and Crafts.

The smiths at Sakai Takayuki have fashioned this great looking blade from VG-10 stainless steel which has had an outer cladding of a 17-layer damascus stainless alloy applied to either side. Some VG-10 knives are harder to sharpen than many other steels but the smiths at Takayuki have developed a special tempering technique which results in a hardness of 60 HRC while being much easier to sharpen.

Kengata knives, also known as Bunkas can be used to replace a short gyuto, especially when you favor push cutting and chopping techniques. The short length and tall blade combine to create a knife with very broad uses and appeal.

The great looking reverse tanto profile also offers a compelling aesthetic especially when realized in this great looking hammered damascus version. The blade is given center stage with the inclusion of a simple traditional octagonal handle with a beautiful custom design. The match is perfect.

Brand: Takayuki

Location: Sakai, Japan

Construction: San Mai, Laser Cut

Cladding: Hammered Damascus Stainless

Edge Steel: VG-10

Edge Grind: Even

Handle: Octagonal Urushi

Knife Type: Kengata

Weight: 6.2 oz/ 176g

Blade Length: 203mm

Overall Length: 355mm

Spine Thickness at Heel: 2.0mm

Blade Height at Heel: 50.3mm