All of our knives are great. Choose the one that suits your needs best.
In Japanese martial arts, mastery is a journey that begins with dedication and builds through levels of increasing expertise. Like the revered belt system in karate, our knife lines represent distinct stages of culinary mastery, each crafted to elevate your cooking journey.
Beginning with our Sakai Kyuba KYU line – much like the solid foundation of coloured belts in martial arts – you’re already stepping into the prepping excellence with premium Japanese steel and craftsmanship from the historic Sakai region. As you progress through our Seki Kyuba lines, crafted in Seki, Gifu Prefecture – a legendary blade-making region that has been Japan’s premier sword and knife-making center since the 13th century – you’ll experience increasing levels of artistry. From KATA (named after the fundamental patterns of movement in martial arts), to the flowing elegance of RYU (meaning “style” or “flow”), to the stunning NIJI (meaning “rainbow”) with its unique multi-metal layering, and ultimately to the pinnacle of mastery with SHIN (meaning “truth” or “essence”), each tier represents a deeper connection with the art of cooking.
Each each subsequent line offering new depths of precision, performance, and artistry from the master craftsmen of Seki and Sakai, whose blade-making traditions have been passed down through generations.
Feature | KYU | KATA | RYU | NIJI | SHIN | PAN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Japanese name |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Best For | Great entry to premium Japanese knives | Home cooks seeking excellent value | Enthusiasts seeking traditional excellence | Art lovers seeking unique aesthetics | Pro-level performance seekers | Bread specialists |
Made in | Sakai (Osaka, Japan) | Seki (Gifu, Japan) | Seki (Gifu, Japan) | Seki (Gifu, Japan) | Seki (Gifu, Japan) | Seki (Gifu, Japan) |
Steel Type | AUS10 | VG10 | VG10 | 12Cr18MoV | SG2/R2 Powder Steel | 1K6 Stainless |
Construction | 46-layer Damascus | 3-layer | 33-layer Damascus | 37-layer Special | 31-layer Damascus | Single steel |
Blade pattern |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Hardness | HRC 62 | HRC 60-62 | HRC 62 | HRC 62-63 | HRC 63-64 | HRC 59-60 |
Edge Retention | Very Good | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Superior | Specialised |
Maintenance Needs | Regular | Moderate | Moderate | Minimal | Minimal | Low |
Single Knife Price Range | £270-290 | £250-295 | £250-295 | £300-395 | £320-425 | £190 |
Set Price Range | £690 | £710 | £710 | Not Sold As Set | Not Sold As Set | Not Sold As Set |
Unique Feature | Classic Damascus | Minimalist Design | Premium Damascus | Rainbow Pattern (Brass And Copper Accents) | Mirror, Damascus | Serrated, Specialist |
Available Types | Gyuto 21cm, Santoku 18cm, Nakiri 16cm, Petty 15cm | Bunka 18cm, Santoku 16.5cm, Nakiri 18cm, Petty 12cm | Gyuto 21cm, Santoku 18cm, Nakiri 17cm, Petty 15cm | Gyuto 20cm, Santoku 18cm, Nakiri 18cm, Petty 15cm | Gyuto 21cm or 24cm, Santoku 18cm, Kiritsuke 21cm or 24cm, Petty 15cm | Bread Knife 23.5cm |
Guarantee | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime |
Handle Material | Premium stabilised maple burl wood | Premium stabilised maple burl wood | Premium stabilised maple burl wood | Premium stabilised maple burl wood | Premium stabilised maple burl wood | Premium stabilised maple burl wood |
Craftsmanship | Blade: Japan, handle: Europe | Blade: Japan, handle: Europe | Blade: Japan, handle: Europe | Blade: Japan, handle: Europe | Blade: Japan, handle: Europe | Blade: Japan, handle: Europe |
Packaging | Wooden oak box, Certificate of Authenticity with a Hanko stamp, 5 Yen Japanese coin | Wooden oak box, Certificate of Authenticity with a Hanko stamp, 5 Yen Japanese coin | Wooden oak box, Certificate of Authenticity with a Hanko stamp, 5 Yen Japanese coin | Wooden oak box, Certificate of Authenticity with a Hanko stamp, 5 Yen Japanese coin | Wooden oak box, Certificate of Authenticity with a Hanko stamp, 5 Yen Japanese coin | Wooden oak box, Certificate of Authenticity with a Hanko stamp, 5 Yen Japanese coin |
Finish | Hammered, Damascus | Hammered | Damascus, Smooth | Damascus, Copper, Brass | Damascus, Mirror | Standard |
Product Page |
KYU: Where Excellence Begins
KYU is your perfect introduction to premium Japanese knives. Its AUS10 steel core and 46-layer Damascus cladding offer a beautiful balance of sharpness and durability. The hammered finish isn’t just for looks – it helps food slide off the blade easily, making your prep work smoother and faster. Whether you’re chopping vegetables or slicing meat, KYU will make you feel like a pro in your kitchen.
- Steel: AUS10 with 46-layer Damascus cladding
- Hardness: 60-61 HRC
- Finish: Tsuchime (hammered) on the upper part, Damascus pattern visible
KATA: Elevating Your Culinary Skills
For just a bit more, KATA offers a noticeable step up in performance. Its VG10 steel core holds an incredibly sharp edge, meaning less frequent sharpening. The 3-layer construction makes the blade more durable and easier to care for. The visible core steel adds a touch of artistry to your cutting experience. If you love cooking and want a knife that will grow with your skills, KATA is an excellent choice.
- Steel: VG10 with 3-layer construction
- Hardness: 61-62 HRC
- Finish: Tsuchime with visible core steel
RYU: Mastering the Flow of Cooking [coming soon]
RYU is for those who view cooking as an art form. Its full Damascus pattern isn’t just beautiful – it helps the knife glide through ingredients with ease. The VG10 core steel stays sharp longer, making your prep work a joy. Whether you’re finely dicing herbs or breaking down a chicken, RYU will make you feel like you’re dancing in the kitchen.
- Steel: VG10 core with 33-layer Damascus cladding
- Hardness: 62-63 HRC
- Finish: Full Damascus pattern
SHIN: For the Culinary Virtuoso
SHIN is the choice of professional chefs and serious home cooks. Its SG2/R2 steel holds an edge longer than any other in our lineup, meaning you can focus on your cooking, not on sharpening. The intricate Damascus 31 layers pattern makes each knife unique. With SHIN, you’re not just getting a knife – you’re getting a precision instrument that will elevate every dish you create.
- Steel: SG2/R2 powdered steel with 31-layer Damascus cladding
- Hardness: 63-64 HRC
- Finish: Intricate Damascus pattern throughout
NIJI: A Masterpiece of art and function [coming soon]
NIJI, meaning “rainbow” in Japanese, represents a unique fusion of artistry and performance. Its core of premium 12Cr18MoV steel is artfully sandwiched between 37 layers of stainless steel, brass, and copper, creating mesmerising patterns that make each knife truly unique. Like a rainbow appearing after rain, each blade reveals stunning, one-of-a-kind patterns that catch the light differently with every angle. While positioned just below our SHIN line in performance, NIJI offers an unmatched aesthetic experience that transforms your kitchen into a gallery. The layered construction doesn’t just create beautiful patterns – it contributes to excellent edge retention and incredible cutting performance. Perfect for those who view cooking as both a culinary and visual art form, and want their knives to be conversation pieces as well as high-performance tools.
• Steel: 12Cr18MoV core with 37-layer construction featuring stainless steel, brass, and copper layers, creating unique rainbow patterns throughout the blade
• Hardness: 62-63 HRC, offering excellent balance of sharpness and durability while maintaining good chip resistance
• Finish: Multi-metal Damascus pattern with hammered texture, creating distinctive rainbow-like effects that catch light differently at various angle
PAN: The Bread Specialist
Our PAN line is designed specifically for bread lovers. Its serrated edge effortlessly slices through crusty artisanal loaves and delicate pastries alike. The 1K6 steel ensures the edge stays sharp, giving you perfect slices every time. If you enjoy baking or simply appreciate a good loaf, PAN is the perfect addition to your kitchen.
- Steel: 1K6 high-carbon stainless steel
- Hardness: 58-59 HRC
- Finish: Smooth with serrated edge
