The sujihiki, or 'flesh slicer', is built for long drawing cuts, heel to tip, through roasted meats, poultry, and whole fish fillets. This 270 mm blade in SG2 (R2) features a narrow, low-profile blade that limits friction against protein fibers during slicing. The blade length allows continuous passes without sawing motion, preserving the texture of whole cuts. This format is not intended for chopping or hard vegetables.
SG2 (R2) is a semi-stainless powder metallurgy steel produced by Takefu Special Steel. Its high carbon content (approximately 1.45%) and finely distributed vanadium carbides deliver edge retention that clearly outpaces conventional forged steels in the same category. The trade-off is a slower sharpening process: the abundant vanadium carbides require quality stones and more passes to bring the edge back to its optimal level. The sanmai construction concentrates this hard core at the cutting edge, with a softer steel cladding on each side, stabilizing the cutting geometry while protecting the core. The tsuchime hammered finish on the blade face creates micro-pockets that reduce food adhesion during slicing. The octagonal wa-handle in cherry wood provides a direct, lightweight grip typical of Japanese knives with a partial tang.
Care
Rinse and dry after each use. Never put in the dishwasher. Sharpening on water stones is recommended to maintain the edge.