Sakai Kikumori is a very popular knife brand for professional chefs in Japan. They offer a wide range of knives, from affordable western style knives to rare honyaki masterpieces. 

On our most recent trip to Japan we were seeking more affordable options to provide for our customers. When we stopped by Sakai Kikumori, they presented us with some great blades at an approachable price point. These new western handled chef knives are made with VG5 stainless steel. Takefu VG5 is quite similar to V2, but with a touch more carbon. It is a breeze to sharpen and maintain, making it a wicked choice for someone just learning to sharpen their own knives.

The full tang western pakka-wood handle gives the knife a familiar centre balance and a bit more weight compared to wa-handled knives.