What type of steel is Inox?

Inox is a stainless knife steel. Stainless steels resist rust and require less day-to-day care than carbon steels, but typically trade off some edge retention.

What is the hardness of Inox steel?

Inox steel is typically hardened to 57–59 HRC on the Rockwell C scale. Within this range, higher hardness supports finer edges and longer edge retention, while slightly lower hardness gains toughness and ease of sharpening — most premium Japanese kitchen knives target the 60–63 HRC range to balance these properties.

Is Inox steel stainless?

Inox contains 13.5% chromium. The conventional threshold for stainless classification is around 13% chromium; steels below that level will discolor or rust under typical kitchen acid/moisture exposure and are classified as carbon or semi-stainless.

Stainless Stainless Steel

"Stainless" means stain-resistant, not stain-proof. In kitchen use, the steel can still discolour or pit if exposed to acidic environments — citrus, vinegar, or salt water — for extended periods. Wash and wipe dry after every use, and avoid leaving the blade soaking in water. With basic care, a stainless knife is very low-maintenance and a great everyday choice.

Inox ステンレス鋼

Hardness

57–59 HRC

555759616365+

The Sakai Takayuki Inox line uses stainless steel (“Inox” from inoxydable) designed to offer a practical balance of performance, durability, and low maintenance. Typically hardened to around 57–59 HRC, it takes a sharp edge while remaining easy to sharpen and more forgiving than harder, brittle steels. The stainless composition gives excellent resistance to rust and staining, making it suitable for users who prefer less upkeep compared to traditional carbon steels. While edge retention is moderate and may not match high-end carbon or powder steels, the Inox line excels in everyday kitchen use, especially for home cooks and professionals wanting reliability and ease of care.