DETAIL
■Hypothetical New Price■
EU: 300 to 450 EUR (plus shipping and import fees)
AU: 375 to 450 AUD (plus shipping and import fees)
US: 250 to 300 USD (plus shipping and import fees)
*All of the above prices are hypothetical estimates that I personally calculated. Actual retail prices may vary depending on the country and legal changes. While some brands or models may adjust prices by market or exchange rates, retail prices are generally set by the manufacturer or seller. These estimates are based on Tojiro, a brand widely sold in many countries, and are provided only as a reference.
■Item Description■
Condition : Excellent (2.0) / Needs sharpening / Slight rust and scratches / Box slightly deteriorated
Blade length : 6.1 inches (155mm)
Overall length : 11.4 inches (290mm)
Spine Thickness at Base : 8.2mm
Item Weight : 7.44 oz (211g)
Blade Edge : Single-bevel (for right-handed)
Construction/Method : Kasumi
Blade Material : Shirogami White #2 Carbon Steel with Soft Iron
HRC : 58-63
Handle Material : Wood
Ferrule : Water buffalo horn
Country/Region of Manufacture : Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan
Others : Not dishwasher-safe
・About this item
This is a professional-grade Deba knife from KAI, the company known for its Shun series. The blade is made of Shirogami #2 steel, and the ferrule is made of water buffalo horn. As far as I have researched, this knife is a Japan-exclusive model.
The previous owner mentioned that they only used this knife twice but gave up because it didn't cut well. However, KAI’s knives in this series require sharpening with a whetstone before use, which they neglected to do. As a result, this knife remains in excellent condition, having never been sharpened.
This is an older model, not the current version. It is slightly shorter and slightly lighter than the current model.
In the photos, the handle may appear to have cracks, but this is just the natural wood grain. There are no actual cracks in the handle.
I looked into the potential price if this knife were to be sold in the U.S. The price of this knife in Japan is slightly lower than that of the "Shun Kagerou 8" Chef Knife". In a knife store in Seattle, Washington, the "Shun Kagerou 8" Chef Knife" is priced at $313 regularly and $270 during sales. Based on that, if this knife were sold in the U.S., it would likely be priced around $300 normally and $250 on sale.
・What is the meaning of the characters engraved on the blades?
There are three Japanese characters engraved on the right side of the blade. The first character reads as "Seki," the second as "Mago," and the third as "Roku." Together, they form "Seki Magoroku."
The font used for the engraving on this knife is commonly seen on knives in the "Seki Magoroku" series that are made with Shirogami (White Steel) or Aogami (Blue Steel).
The text on the sticker attached to the ferrule means "Water Buffalo."
・What is KAI?
KAI Corporation, located in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, is one of the most renowned kitchen knife companies in Japan. They manufacture and sell a wide range of kitchen knives, from affordable options to high-end knives like the Shun series. Additionally, they offer various other cutlery items, including nail clippers, scissors, and peelers.
・Who I would recommend this knife to.
I would recommend this to anyone who can sharpen a knife with a whetstone and wants a Deba knife. Maintenance will require a whetstone.
*This knife is prone to rust, so be sure to wipe it dry after use. If left as is, it will rust quickly.
