Kurokage means dark shadow in Japanese - and the name fits. The combination of a tsuchime (hammered) finish and a smooth black Teflon coating over the stainless cladding gives this line a visual identity unlike anything else in the Sakai Takayuki catalog. The Teflon coating does real work beyond aesthetics: food releases from the blade surface with minimal resistance, and cleaning requires almost no effort. Featuring VG10 stainless steel at the core, san mai construction, and an octagonal wenge handle, these knives are made in Sakai - one of Japan's great knife-making cities, with over 600 years of blade production behind it.
The bunka format combines the versatility of a santoku with a reverse tanto tip for precision work a flat-tipped blade cannot handle cleanly. This is a nimble, all-purpose knife with good board coverage and a fine tip. The Tokyo-style machi gap in the handle installation is a traditional detail that references Japanese sword construction. The double-bevel grind works equally well for right- and left-handed cooks, and the VG10 edge is fully stainless and low maintenance.
What Customers Are Saying: Both reviewers praise the blade quality and the overall performance - one calls it a great blade and says he is very satisfied with the purchase. Both note the wenge handle has a raw, unfinished feel compared to more polished handle materials - wenge is a naturally open-grained wood, and this is a characteristic of the material rather than a finishing error. The blade performance draws clear praise from both buyers.
Care Instructions: VG10 is a fully stainless steel - low maintenance and resistant to corrosion. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher. The Teflon coating provides excellent food release and is durable under normal kitchen use, but avoid abrasive scrubbers or steel wool, which can damage the coating over time. Sharpen only on the polished VG10 edge - not on the Teflon-coated cladding. Use quality water stones or a ceramic rod. Avoid bones and frozen foods.Maker: Sakai Takayuki
Location: Sakai, Japan
Construction: San Mai
Edge Steel: VG10 Stainless Steel
Cladding: Stainless Hammered Tsuchime
Coating: Black Teflon
HRC: 60-61
Finish: Hammered Tsuchime with Teflon Coating
Edge Grind: Even (50/50), Double Bevel
Handle: Octagonal Wenge Wood
Handle Installation: Tokyo-Style Machi Gap
Weight: 5.1 oz (144 g)
Blade Length: 161 mm
Total Length: 315 mm
Spine Thickness at Base: 2 mm
Blade Height: 45 mm
The bunka format combines the versatility of a santoku with a reverse tanto tip for precision work a flat-tipped blade cannot handle cleanly. This is a nimble, all-purpose knife with good board coverage and a fine tip. The Tokyo-style machi gap in the handle installation is a traditional detail that references Japanese sword construction. The double-bevel grind works equally well for right- and left-handed cooks, and the VG10 edge is fully stainless and low maintenance.
What Customers Are Saying: Both reviewers praise the blade quality and the overall performance - one calls it a great blade and says he is very satisfied with the purchase. Both note the wenge handle has a raw, unfinished feel compared to more polished handle materials - wenge is a naturally open-grained wood, and this is a characteristic of the material rather than a finishing error. The blade performance draws clear praise from both buyers.
Care Instructions: VG10 is a fully stainless steel - low maintenance and resistant to corrosion. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher. The Teflon coating provides excellent food release and is durable under normal kitchen use, but avoid abrasive scrubbers or steel wool, which can damage the coating over time. Sharpen only on the polished VG10 edge - not on the Teflon-coated cladding. Use quality water stones or a ceramic rod. Avoid bones and frozen foods.
Reviews
2 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval)
Nice, March 7, 2025Posted By: Blake Bennett
38 people found this review helpful
Handle does seem unfinished, advertised as double bevel, but it came as a single bevel. But all in all good knife, just 3 stars for the false advertising.
38 people found this review helpful
Handle does seem unfinished, advertised as double bevel, but it came as a single bevel. But all in all good knife, just 3 stars for the false advertising.
It's double bevel. They don't make single bevel knives.
Bunka
