8A series

Sakai Takayuki’s 8A series has its blades crafted out of AUS-8A steel, typically referred to as “8A” steel. 8A steel is a stain resistant steel that does not rust and maintains strong wear-resistant properties. The steel has an HRC of 58 so it is fairly soft and easy to sharpen. The handles on the knives in this line incorporate a traditional-style design and contain a buffalo horn bolster to improve balance; additionally, the handles are crafted out of Magnolia wood.

Recommendation: Although this series is sufficient for professional chefs, it is also great for beginners as its knives don’t require a whetstone to sharpen, but rather they can be sharpened with a honing steel and they keep their edge relatively long. To conclude: this is a great, clean and easy-to-maintain series for both beginners and professionals.