Sakai Kikumori Aoichi Sakimaru Takobiki 210mm

About the Shape -The Sakimaru Takobiki is a type of shape within the Yanagiba family. The Yanagiba is a slicer’s dream. Graceful, sexy, and capable of amazing sharpness, you’ll find a Yanigiba in the hands of every sushi chef worth their salt. Yanagi means “willow leaf” and refers to this knife’s long, narrow shape.

The Yanagiba is a traditional Japanese blade that is only sharpened on one side, which is called “single bevel”, and allows it to cut more precisely than other blades. Traditionally used for slicing sashimi, they are equally at home with roast beef, ham, or calf’s liver. Once you go Yanagiba, you’ll never go back.

About Sakai Kikumori - Sakai Kikumori is a wholesaler in Sakai, sort of like Sakai Takayuki and Konosuke. They work with several blacksmiths and sharpeners including Shiraki Hamono, Yoshikazu Tanaka and Morihiro.

The aogami steel used in this knife is very traditional, capable of crazy sharpness. It tends rust a bit less easily and stay sharp a bit longer than its cousin, shirogami.