Yoshikazu Tanaka is one of the most respected blacksmiths working in Sakai today, and his reputation rests on two things that are difficult to fake: heat treatment and forging precision. He works alongside his two sons using pine charcoal for quenching, which produces a more gradual and controlled heat treatment than gas-fired methods - a slow, deliberate approach that is increasingly rare and that produces consistent, hard, well-tempered edges. The Blue #1 line at CKTG reflects that process directly: Aogami (blue paper steel) #1 is among the most capable carbon steels available for kitchen use, and at 62-64 HRC Tanaka-san extracts its full potential.
What sets the visual character of this knife apart from most others in its category is the clad-line. The boundary between the hagane (inner core steel) and the jigane (outer soft iron cladding) runs in a more complex, expressive line than most makers produce, and more core steel is visible near the edge. The upper blade road has a kurouchi (black as-forged) finish; below the shinogi it transitions to a sandblasted matte section, creating a clean two-tone appearance. Hand-engraved kanji on the blade. This santoku - three virtues, named for meat, fish, and vegetables - runs 155mm actual blade length and 45mm height, slightly shorter than the advertised 165mm as is typical for Sakai-tradition blades. Rosewood octagonal handle with colored pakka wood ferrule. 4.7 oz.
What Customers Are Saying: The one reviewer describes being gobsmacked - a strong reaction from someone who had already found their preferred steel in Aogami Super and was surprised by how much the Blue #1 line impressed them. Perfectly balanced, sharp out of the box, gorgeous fit and finish. The reviewer specifically calls out the weight and feel of the Blue #1 steel as something distinctly pleasurable, enough to keep this santoku as a new favorite.
Care Instructions: Aogami (blue paper steel) #1 is highly reactive carbon steel. Wipe and dry immediately after every use. Avoid leaving acidic foods on the blade. Apply camellia oil for long-term storage. Hand wash only. Sharpen on quality water stones - Blue #1 responds very well to a fine edge.
What sets the visual character of this knife apart from most others in its category is the clad-line. The boundary between the hagane (inner core steel) and the jigane (outer soft iron cladding) runs in a more complex, expressive line than most makers produce, and more core steel is visible near the edge. The upper blade road has a kurouchi (black as-forged) finish; below the shinogi it transitions to a sandblasted matte section, creating a clean two-tone appearance. Hand-engraved kanji on the blade. This santoku - three virtues, named for meat, fish, and vegetables - runs 155mm actual blade length and 45mm height, slightly shorter than the advertised 165mm as is typical for Sakai-tradition blades. Rosewood octagonal handle with colored pakka wood ferrule. 4.7 oz.
What Customers Are Saying: The one reviewer describes being gobsmacked - a strong reaction from someone who had already found their preferred steel in Aogami Super and was surprised by how much the Blue #1 line impressed them. Perfectly balanced, sharp out of the box, gorgeous fit and finish. The reviewer specifically calls out the weight and feel of the Blue #1 steel as something distinctly pleasurable, enough to keep this santoku as a new favorite.
Care Instructions: Aogami (blue paper steel) #1 is highly reactive carbon steel. Wipe and dry immediately after every use. Avoid leaving acidic foods on the blade. Apply camellia oil for long-term storage. Hand wash only. Sharpen on quality water stones - Blue #1 responds very well to a fine edge.
- Blacksmith: Yoshikazu Tanaka
- Sharpener: Tsuyoshi Yauchi
- Location: Sakai, Japan
- Construction: San Mai
- Edge Steel: Aogami (Blue Paper Steel) #1
- Cladding: Soft Iron
- Finish: Kurouchi (Black As-Forged) / Sandblast
- HRC: 62-64
- Handle: Rosewood Octagonal
- Ferrule: Colored Pakka Wood
- Weight: 4.7 oz (136 g)
- Blade Length: 155mm
- Total Length: 298mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 2.5mm
- Blade Height: 45mm
Reviews
1 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) GobsmackedPosted By: Colleen Fogarty
17 people found this review helpful
My new favorite blades are the Blue #1 line from Tanaka Yoshikazu. Perfectly balanced and very sharp ootb. Gorgeous fit and finish. Just when I thought I'd found the perfect steel in Aogami Super...there is something about the weight of the Blue #1 and #2 steels that is pleasing. Feeling fortunate to have these in my drawer.
17 people found this review helpful
My new favorite blades are the Blue #1 line from Tanaka Yoshikazu. Perfectly balanced and very sharp ootb. Gorgeous fit and finish. Just when I thought I'd found the perfect steel in Aogami Super...there is something about the weight of the Blue #1 and #2 steels that is pleasing. Feeling fortunate to have these in my drawer.
