Sakai Takayuki "Ryky x Taku" Aogami #2 240mm Gyuto

After years of testing every knife he can get his hands on, this particular blade profile is still one of Ryky’s favorites. This profile took over a year of designing and redesigning before the final version was approved. With a spine thickness of only 2mm, and weighing about 6 oz (170g), this qualifies as what knife enthusiasts like to call “lasers”. An ultralight and thin knife that knife purists absolutely love, and with a profile that has been perfected by Ryky’s personal input.

Made by the famous Sakai knife maker Sakai Takayuki, using Aogami #2 steel as core, this "Ryky x Taku" knife is paired with an octagonal wa-handle made of burnt Japanese Oak wood, coated with Urushi.

Spec:

• Origin (Made in): Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
• Brand: Sakai Takayuki
• Knife Type: Gyuto
• Blade
• Construction: San Mai
• Grind: Double-edged Blade (50/50 Grind)
• Hagane (Core Steel): Aogami #2 (Blue #2)
• Jigane (Cladding): Stainless Steel 
• Hardness: 62-63 HRC
• Hand-sharpened
• Blade Length: 240mm (9.4")
• Blade Height (at heel): 49mm
• Spine Thickness
• Above heel: 2.2mm
• Middle: 1.9mm
• Handle
• Premium Custom Handle
• Shape: Hachikaku (Octagonal)
• Material: Burnt Japanese Oak with Urushi
• Length: 139mm
• Overall Length: 388mm
• Weight: 156g (5.50oz)
• Mark (Front): In Japanese Kanji "Sakai Takayuki" (堺孝行) ; 
• Mark (Back): "Ryky x Taku" ; "Blue #2 Made in Japan" (青二鋼 日本製)

About Sakai Takayuki 堺 孝行

Sakai Takayuki is Sakai's top knife maker and artisan workshop. Japan's Sakai region has a knife making history of 600 years. Among these knife makers, Sakai Takayuki is a representative of Sakai's long history of making blades. The quality of the finish and details of the forging technique are handed down over generations of fine craftsmen. Today Sakai Takayuki is sold to over 100 countries around the world. Their uncompromising knife making passion has attracted passionate customers beyond the border of Japan.

Care:

Aogami #2 (Blue #2) steel is a premium Japanese high carbon steel for knife making. It is not stainless, therefore you must wipe your knife dry after each use, in particular the core steel not covered by the stainless cladding. Patina will develop over time, which will appear as “discoloration” on the cutting edge, but that is the nature of carbon steel - not a defect. The stainless cladding covers a large part of the blade, making maintenance easier but still preserving the cutting and sharpening pleasure of the Aogami Super core. Avoid cutting into bones, frozen foods, hard fruit pits.

Cutting Surface:

Recommended cutting surface: wood, rubberized boards and high-end composites, and quality plastics such as polyethene make acceptable cutting surfaces, and will help protect and prolong knife’s edge. AVOID glass, metal, countertops, and other rigid, non-forgiving surfaces.

Sharpening:

We recommend sharpening all quality Japanese knives on whetstones, as we believe they yield the best results for your knives.