Takeshi Saji SUMMIT ― Limited Edition Custom Series SMT-572 R-2 Custom Damascus Santoku 180mm (7 Inch)

Takeshi Saji is now 74 years old and is one of the most experienced and famous forge smiths in Takefu (Now Echizen City), Fukui Prefecture.

He is still very active and insists on creating and making his own unique custom kitchen knifes. He also spends significant time and energy teaching and mentoring the next generation of young forge smiths and craftsmen at the ‘Takefu Knife Village Cooperative’.

We all respect Takeshi Saji’s extensive knowledge and his lifelong devotion to knife making and the cutlery industry.

Since the year 2020, we have been working closely with Master Saji to create a new range of top-tier knives that will include unique ‘one-of-a-kind’ knives and limited edition custom knives, which will often feature special handles. Today, we are very excited to introduce the Saji SUMMIT ― Limited Edition Custom Series!

After testing and evaluating a very reputable Powdered Metallurgy High Speed Tool Steel, called “R-2” (Manufactured by Kobelco), he decided to produce an exciting new range of this traditionally hammer-forged Damascus kitchen knife using this modern ‘super steel’.

Mirror Polished R-2 Damascus blade, which features unique ‘random Damascus’ pattern, which Master Saji calls “Diamond Damascus”. It is handcrafted using a complex series of forging processes and undergoes a specially formulated acid etching and polishing process. When combined, these techniques produce a unique Damascus blade, which has an uneven surface texture that sparkles beautifully, like a cluster of cut diamonds.

One day at the US Knife Show, we accidentaly met with this beautiful Deep Blue Color & Natural wood Color stabilized Hybrid wood material. We promptly requested Master Saji to use this special wood for his very limited edition knife and now another masterpiece of Saji SUMMIT- Limited Edition Custom Series knife is available.

The Unique Custom Handmade Hybrid Wood Handle has a beautiful appearance and to ensure that it can be gripped comfortably, it has been carefully contoured and polished by hand. A decorative Mosaic Pin secures the handles scales and a stainless steel bolster has been fitted to improve the durability and blade balance of the knife. 

The tall blade and rounded nose / tip of the Santoku make it a versatile knife that is well suited to cutting meat, fish, or vegetables; Hence it’s name, which literally means “Three-purpose”. The Santoku is often recommended as a multi-purpose kitchen knife. 

Specification

Knife Model: Takeshi Saji SUMMIT ― Limited Edition Custom Series R-2 Custom Damascus Santoku

Blade Material: R-2 Nickel Custom Diamond Damascus

Rockwell Hardness (HRc): 62 to 63

Blade Grind and Edge Shape: Double Bevel Edge 50/50

Handle Material: Deep Blue Color & Natural wood Color stabilized Hybrid wood Handle with Stainless Steel Bolster

Saya Included: No.