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Our in-depth range review

First Impressions


Sharpness out of the box is very impressive and the high level of hardness and aogami super blue steel combine to give this range great edge retention too.

Beauty


These knives are really striking, the blades with their beautiful kurouchi finish contrast nicely with the golden colour of the Japanese Zelkova wood and mahogany handle and red bolster.

In Hand


The handles on this range are slightly larger than typical octagonal wa handles and they help balance out the knife nicely. They're well finished and smooth around the heel and spine edges and feel great in the hand.

Durability

The Aogami Super Blue core steel has been treated to a very high HRC of 65 so is very hard and as a result the knives in this range are fairly easy to sharpen and boast excellent edge retention.

Ease of Care & Maintenance Tips

Just rinse, wipe and dry after use, don't scrub the kurouchi too hard and don't go near the dreaded dishwasher!

The core steel is reactive so will develop a patina as it reacts with the acids and moisture in your foods. Other than that, our normal care instructions always apply and for day to day care. 

For longer term care and upkeep we recommend our carbon steel care kit which has everything you need to keep your carbon knives in tip top condition.

Our Verdict

From a company with a long and established reputation we think these are good value for money. They're well made knives that perform at a great level boasting impressive sharpness and edge retention right out of the box thanks to that impressive heat treat and incredible hardness.

If you're looking for a super blue steel knife and your priority is edge retention then this is definitely an excellent choice.

Meet the maker

Sakai Takayuki

Sakai Takayuki is one of Japan’s most respected knife makers, with roots that trace back over 600 years to the city of Sakai - a region long celebrated for its mastery of blade-making. Originally renowned for producing samurai swords and precision tobacco-cutting tools during the Edo period, Sakai’s craftsmen evolved their skills into the world of kitchen knives as Japan modernised.

Today, Sakai Takayuki operates under Aoki Hamono Seisakusho and represents the collective expertise of dozens of traditional blacksmiths and sharpeners, each specialising in distinct techniques. Their extensive range spans from handcrafted carbon-steel blades forged using age-old methods to high-performance stainless and Damascus series designed for professional chefs.

Every knife reflects the hallmark Sakai combination of exceptional balance, keen edge retention, and refined aesthetics - a seamless blend of centuries-old craftsmanship and contemporary innovation.

View all Sakai Takayuki products
  • 5 stars: 3 (100%)
  • 4 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
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Jamie Mahoney
Sakai Takayuki Aogami Super Blue petty 135mm.

Firstly I would like to thank Cutting Edge Knives for their superb service, I hone razors professionally so I know a thing or two about sharp edges and steel, now the knife what can you say nothing more than I would expect top quality Japanese craftsmanship, a beautiful knife and such a useful size I'm expecting years of service from this beautiful blade.

Many thanks,

Jamie.

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Luke majid
brilliant Knives

super sharp out of the box, looks the part on the magnet rack as well

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Skylar Santos

Amazing sharp nice for many purposes, as a chef this is the only knife i was missing in my collection.