A history to tell and to be shared is the story of Saji Takeshi a well-known master craftsman. Everything don’t come as easy as it seems even though his father Harukichi Saji is the second- generation smith.
Saji Takeshi gain his tittle with hard work by training at the local Backsmith Training School for three years, he successfully made knives at the age of 18 with his father supervision, and at the age of 30 he was acknowledged as the third-generation smith.
He became the official Traditional Master Craftsman (Dentoukougeishi) by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 1992.
In the five decade of history Takeshi is one of the most popular and best-known forge –smiths at Takefu City. His collection of knives and accessories are made with his art, originality, uniqueness and traditional style. Purchasing some of his knives is a valuable thing I guess.
The Saji Takeshi knives Series
Here is the list of Master Takeshi Saji’s Knives selection.
The Custom Series
This composes different characters of knives such as Damascus, Aogami, and SRS-13.
Takeshi Saji VG-10 Custom Damascus Wild Series
These knives are combination of VG-10 Core, Nickel Damascus Stainless Steel and Japanese Hamaguri-Ba that resulted into a good quality cutting performance and are now available in 10 types of blade. The beautiful appearance is done by using Nickel steel (wavy Damascus pattern) and Stag bone (handle scales and pinned brass bolster).
For the list of knives and prices click the link below:
Takeshi Saji R-2 Custom Damascus Wild Series
Here comes another Customized knives of Damascus Wild Series, proving Master Saji’s bravery of facing the changes brought by the modern ages and aggressively go with the trends. Lead him by experimenting the R-2 and release a new selection of traditionally forged mixed with modern super steel knives.
There are two available blade of R-2 Custom Damascus the Dark R-2 Damascus blade (Crisp and vigorous Damascus pattern) and R-2 Damascus blade (Mirror polished). Available in 7 different blade types and comes with special Japanese Kiri wood presentation box. These is perfect for those who want maximum edge retention and excellent cutting performance.
For the list of knives and prices click the link below:
Takeshi Saji Aogami Super Kurouchi Custom Series
Made of a famous Carbon steel, Aogami Super (Blue Super) produce by Hitachi. Decorated with hammered pattern texture and a Traditional Japanese Black forged. For the handle, they use linen Micarta® that perfectly match the black and grey tones of the Ironwood handle scale.
For the list of knives and prices click the link below:
Takeshi Saji SRS-13 Custom Series
Another variety of steel was used with this series to go with the modern day’s competition. Takeshi Saji use thenew Powdered High Speed Tool Steel called SRS-13 produce by Sanyo Steel Company. He believes that by using this steel he can produce knives with Supreme cutting performance and edge retention. The blade elegant appearance is because of the mirror-finished surface with a hammered texture of Tsuchime. Handles are hand made out of Classic, highly practical Black Linen Micarta, Vivid Red Linen Micarta, natural Ironwood, White Corian, and Stag Bone with bolster, to make sure the comfortable grip, handle durability and blade balance.
For the list of knives and prices click the link below:
Saji Urushi &Makie Series
This series is a variety of different knives from Petty to the large Gyuto. A collaboration of two artist Maki-e master Kouichiro Tsukada and master blacksmith Takeshi Saji. This collaboration started due to master Saji’s idea of using the Mt. Fuji theme for the knives decoration.
Master Kouichiro Tsukada make an artwork of shrine entrance gate (Tori, とり), Mt. Fuji (famous volcano in Japan) and a Japanese summer firework (Hanabi, 花火). They use the Japanese lacquer (Urushi lacquer) to varnish, the application must be repeated to have a durable coating with glossy finish. The Damascus steel blade are made of Blue steel no.2, stainless steel brass and copper. You may add this to your collection of knives and enjoy the beauty of a spectacular art.
For the list of knives and prices click the link below:
https://japanesechefsknife.com/collections/takeshi-saji-urushi-makie-series
https://www.hocho-knife.com/search.php?search_query=takeshi%20saji
Saji Japanese Traditional Series
Master Saji’s experimental ability won’t stop, this time he manages to customize the outdoor knives inside the kitchen and make its appearance more unique. This Japanese traditional-style knife is a variety of Bocho series made of Gingami no.3 Stainless Steel produced by Hitachi. By using the Gingami no.3 makes this knives edge sharp, edge retention, strong resistance to corrosion and low maintenance requirements.
To finish these knives Master Saji collaborate with Mr. Masatake a bamboo craftsman. This result to a beautiful unique appearance of Bamboo handle fitted with a wooden bolster, wooden end cap, covered or varnished of lacquered and a Nickel silver pin securing the blade. Choose in 8 different blade types, variety of blade sizes and two unique handle styles.
For the list of knives and prices click the link below:
Saji Speacials
different variety of knives customized by Master Saji. His unending ideas of art and ability to mix the charm of modern materials and Traditional Japanese procedure makes all the produce knives different among the others. This limited knife featured Gyuto, Damascus, and Petty knife (Folding).
*Lmited stocks only.
For the list of knives and prices click the link below:
The Limited Edition Custom Series
produce knife of Master Takeshi Saji, The SUMIT. A knife that have special handles such as hybrid wood with stainless Steel Bolster while the blade is made of VG-10.
*Lmited stocks only.
For the list of knives and prices click the link below:
SUMMARY
Saji Takeshi knives is an art of masterpiece molded and customized trough out the year. Combining the tradition and the modern leading to a high quality Japanese knife.
If you want to know more about these products, I recommended you to visit these sites. You may also refer to this online selling website if you like to buy a knives of Saji Takeshi: ebay.com, Hocho knife and Japanese Chefs Knife.
