Sakai Takayuki Grand Chef SP

Grand Chef SP is Sakai Takayuki's western handled stainless series built around Swedish stainless steel from Sandvik or Uddeholm. This is a classic European blade steel: modest hardness and completely carefree in a busy kitchen.

The edge is thinner and more acute than a typical European chef knife, so the cutting feel is distinctly Japanese even though the construction and handle are familiar. Because the steel sits on the softer side, expect to touch up the edge more often than you would on a harder Japanese line; in return it is a very forgiving edge to live with.

The line covers a 240mm gyuto and a 150mm petty on a pakka wood western handle. A practical pick for students and professional kitchens that want Japanese geometry without any of the maintenance anxiety.