Sakai Takayuki 33 Layers VG10 Damascus Tsuchime

It is Aoki Hamono's Damascus 33-layer series (ダマスカス33層): a 33-layer Damascus blade with a VG-10 core.

Aoki's page describes a hammered pattern designed to recall traditional Japanese forged knives, and lists the series as a stainless type for home to professional use, in shapes such as gyuto, sujihiki, santoku, nakiri and petty.

Sakai Takayuki (堺孝行) is a brand of Aoki Hamono Seisakusho (青木刃物製作所) in Sakai, Osaka, and the company's own page says so directly. The trademarks for 堺孝行 and 堺菊孝 were registered in 1964.

The company started in Osaka in 1947 as a wholesaler of Sakai forged knives, set up a sales office in Sakai in 1963, and built a factory in Sakai in 1977. So when you see the Sakai Takayuki name, that is Aoki Hamono's own line.

Yes, it can. Takefu, which makes VG10 (V金10), lists it among its stainless steels, and the JSSA notes that stainless strictly means rust-resistant, not rust-proof.

Takefu lists VG10's chromium content as 15% and describes its corrosion resistance as excellent. We recommend drying the knife after washing.

Both are Takefu blade steels, and they differ in class and in what Takefu publishes about each. Takefu lists VG10 as a stainless steel with 1.00% carbon, 15.00% chromium, 1.00% molybdenum, 0.25% vanadium and 1.55% cobalt, at a hardening hardness of HRC 60 or more.

Takefu describes SG2, its Super Gold 2, as a blade steel created by powder metallurgy, lists its composition as not disclosed, and SG2 runs 61 to 65 HRC depending on the maker. Takefu also calls SG2 a powdered stainless high-speed steel.