Kagekiyo Ao 240 Wagyuto Chef knife forged from Blue 1 carbon steel which is considered the Holy Grail of Japanese knife steel that requires extremely difficult lower temperature forging to create the best blades. The handle is hand painted in Japanese lacquer with one face finished in piano black. Kagekiyo Ao Series This series features the notoriously difficult to forge (or at least to forge well) Blue 1 steel. Unlike blades from other regions these are carbon clad in carbon steel so extra vigilance is required to keep them rust free. If you keep the blade dry after use and add a little camellia oil before storage you will never have to deal with rust. Yes the blade will grey and tarnish a little but this is in line with the Japanese aesthetic that some things only get better with age. Sakai has a long history of making the highest quality forged knives in Japan but they were never in danger of being labeled "cool". Kagekiyo have shaken off the old school image by taking high pedigree forged blades sharpened to a crisp edge with slight hollow grind for extra bite. Luxurious refinements such as chamfered spine, rounded highly polished "ago" - chin and Kagekiyo's signature Japanese lacquer handles textured for extra grip. And no less than top Honkasumi grade finish by Master Togishi. The cut feels like only a Sakai carbon steel blade can ... more accurate, controlled and precise. Kagekiyo Knives The Kagekiyo brand is 60 years young compared to the founding of the original business a hundred years ago back in 1916. Run by third generation Baba Shuzou along with his son Takashi Kagekiyo knives are produced with the professional chef in mind - sharpness, easy resharpening, durability, comfort and beautifully finished knives. Traditional Craftsmanship, Modern Technology, Commitment to Monozukuri Kagekiyo is constantly evolving, using modern technology to study the molecular structure of steel via electron microscopes, all in an effort to create the most advanced Japanese knives, hammer forged and sharpened by hand. The Baba family has a long history in Sakai. In 1964 the founder Baba Ichiji received a medal from the Emperor - the Order of the Rising Sun, for his contribution to the manufacturing industry in the Kansai region. He was the first person ever to receive such an honour within the Sakai knife industry. Chef's Armoury are proud to be the exclusive agent for Kagekiyo knives in Australia. ...... Style Gyuto Blade Length 230mm Overall Length 382mm Weight 180gm Blade Thickness 3.4mm Tang Pin tang HRC (hardness) 65(+1) Composition Blue 1 Carbon Steel Edge 50:50 V bevel Saya Not included
