Sakai Takayuki is a very popular brand of Japanese knives. If you have never heard of these knives before, then you have no idea what you are missing out on. If you are interested in learning more about this brand, as well as some of their flagship chef knives, then you have come to the right place.
What we are here to do right now is to take a close look at three particular kitchen knives from this brand.
We want to take an in-depth look at all of their most important features and selling points, so you can make a highly informed decision as to whether or not this brand is right for you. Keep in mind that in terms of uniqueness, design, and aesthetic appeal, these are definitely some of the best knife options. Let’s figure out what you are getting into by purchasing the Sakai Takayuki Chef Knife
Sakai Takayuki Knives Comparison Chart
Comparison Chart
Let’s get to it and take a closer look at the three most popular knives that you can purchase from the Sakai Takayuki brand.
1. Sakai Takayuki Hammered Damascus Chef Knife
If what you are looking for is a super sharp, long lasting, and extremely durable knife, then this is a great one to look into. This particular blade is made out of 33 layers of Damascus steel, with Damascus steel not only being known for its extreme durability and beautiful appearance, but also for its ability to resist corrosion and rusting.
When it comes down to it, this is probably one of the most durable chef’s knives in the whole world. Moreover, the fact that this blade is made from Damascus steel also allows it to be quite thin, complete with a very sharp cutting edge for precision cuts, chops, slices, and more. Let’s not forget that the stunning wooden handle not only looks great, but is very comfortable to hold as well.
Key Features
- Blade has a very beautiful and rustic appearance. Although it may look old, it does of course function extremely well.
- The length of the knife is 240 millimeters combined with a 50 millimeter wind. In general, this is a very good size for most standard kitchen uses.
- The 33 layers of high-quality Damascus steel used in the construction of this knife make this blade about as tough as humanly possible.
- Let’s keep in mind that the core of this knife is made with VG10 stainless steel, so you can be sure that it is both durable and rust resistant
- Not only is this knife tough, but the double edge with standard bevel that it features is ideal for most chopping, cutting and slicing tasks.
- The handle looks very nice, is lightweight and comfortable to hold, although beware that it is made out of plywood.
- Very beautiful design
- Old school look
- Extremely durable metal
- Will not rest
- Very sharp cutting edge with excellent edge retention
- Comfortable handle
- Handle may be a bit too smooth for some
The Bottom Line
The bottom line here is that if you want a very sleek and classy-looking knife that features an old-school design, yet is also extremely sharp, durable, and comfortable to hold, then this is definitely one to keep in mind. This is the kind of knife that will last for the rest of your life, especially if you maintain it well.
2. Sakai Takayuki 33 Layers Hammered Gyuto Chef Knife
If what you are looking for is an extremely thin knife with one of the sharpest cutting edges that you have ever seen in your life, and then this is definitely one to consider. Let’s keep in mind that the blade thickness here is just 20 millimeters, which is about as thin as humanly possible. This super thin blade allows you to cut, slice, and chop with extreme precision.
Moreover, the fact that this blade is made with 33 layers of Damascus steel, complete with an alloy core of VG10 stainless steel, means that it is extremely durable, rustproof, and that it won’t bend, chip, or crack on you.
What you may also appreciate here is that this knife features a special design that will prevent food from sticking to it. Moreover, keep in mind that the blade here is slightly rounded, which makes it an excellent blade for rocking back and forth, and thus for quickly chopping up veggies, herbs and other such things.
Key Features
- Has a very nice and rustic appearance.
- This knife features a 0.20 centimeter thick blade, which is so thin that you can cut foods thinner than you ever knew possible.
- The wooden handle you get here is not only durable, but also comfortable to hold, although it may be a bit slippery when wet.
- This knife features a slightly rounded blade that makes it ideal for a back-and-forth rocking style of cutting, or in other words, for quickly chopping and mincing things like garlic, onions, herbs, and more.
- The blade is made out of 33 layers of hand hammered Damascus steel, combined with a VG10 stainless steel core, thus allowing for amazing durability, longevity, and for a razor sharp cutting edge.
- Very cool looking design
- One of the most durable knives around
- Extremely thin and sharp cutting edge
- Retains its edge very well
- Well balanced and ergonomically friendly
- Handle could use some texture
- Requires extreme care when using it
The Bottom Line
Although the Sakai Takayuki 33 Layers Hammered Gyuto Chef Knife might have a couple of small issues, such as the slightly slippery handle and a fine scratch line that can be seen down the middle of it (caused by hand hammering and grinding), it is an excellent option to go with, particularly if you want something super durable with a very fine cutting edge that allows for the ultimate in precision.
3. Sakai Takayuki Santoku Knife
Right off the bat, this is absolutely the best looking knife out of all three on the list today. It just has a super cool appearance with a very awesome texture on it which is thanks to the Damascus steel used here. It just looks very beautiful.
Although the handle might be made out of plywood, it is still real wood and moreover it does look very nice. Not to mention the fact that it is quite ergonomically friendly and comfortable to hold. What you do need to keep in mind here is that this knife is made out of 33 layers of Damascus steel combined with a VG10 stainless steel core.
The important thing to note here is that the width of this blade is a full 47 millimeters, which is quite wide. Although it might not be the number one choice in terms of pressure, precision slicing and mincing, it does perform very well when it comes to large chopping and cutting jobs. This is one tough customer that should be able to outlast every other knife in your kitchen, not to mention the fact that it actually comes in at a fairly reasonable price too.
Key Features
- With a 47 mm wide blade, although it does not come to the finest edge out there, it is ideal for heavy duty cutting and chopping tasks. A thick blade like this helps ensure maximum durability.
- Although the blade might not be the thinnest around, it does feature a double bevel, and it does come to quite an acute edge, which means that you can still be fairly precise with it.
- The fact that this blade features 33 layers of hammered Damascus steel, complete with a VG10 stainless steel core not only allows for extreme durability, but also for great rust and corrosion resistance too.
- Keep in mind that the Sakai Takayuki Santoku Knife features a total length of 303 mm, with a 47 mm blade, complete with an edge angle of 15 degrees.
- Does not rust, bend, or scratch easily
- Thick and durable
- Comfortable handle
- Will last for years
- Reasonable price
- Excellent edge retention
- Very well balanced
- Handle is plywood
- No sheath included
The Bottom Line
The bottom line here is that if you need a thick, durable, and good-looking knife that can muscle its way through any task at hand, then the Sakai Takayuki Santoku Knife is definitely something to consider.
FAQs on Sakai Takayuki Knives
1. Why buy Sakai Takayuki Knives?
The main reason why we would recommend investing in one of these knives is because they feature an excellent mix of durability, rust resistance, sharpness, edge retention, and comfort. The only reason to maybe avoid them would be due to the slightly slick handles, although it’s no deal breaker.
2. Are Sakai Takayuki knives the best?
To be fair, while this is a very high-quality brand of knives, no, it is not the number one best brand out there. While the materials used here are great, there are better, but of course, if these knives were made out of even better materials, they would no longer be affordable.
3. Are these knives suitable for beginners?
These knives come with all of the features that you would expect from any good kitchen knife, so we would think that they are perfectly suitable for both beginners and seasoned veterans alike.
Wrap Up
At the end of the day, although this might not be the number one, best brand of kitchen nights in the world, it is up there with the best of them. What you get here are very durable and sharp knives that are comfortable to hold, not to mention that they don’t cost you a fortune.
If what you are looking for is a good mix of affordability, durability, edge retention, and overall functionality, then this brand is a great one to consider, especially as a beginner cook who doesn’t want to spend an arm and a leg on a blade.