Since its establishment in 1932, Yaxell has been one of the major knife manufacturers in Japan. They have been contributing to the improvement of kitchen culture by supplying superior quality kitchen knives inherited with ancient sword smiths’ traditional skills. Yaxell knives are used by the top chefs all over the world and are becoming more and more popular also among discerning hobby chefs.
History and Tradition
The outstanding edge of the Yaxell knives has been achieved by combining the best of advanced technology with the unsurpassed knowledge and expertise of the craftsmen making these professional kitchen knives. Their skills have been cultivated in traditional Japanese sword making techniques, handed down from generation to generation over seven centuries in Seki, Japan, the capital of swords and knives.
Special heat treatment through accurate temperature control
Yaxell blades are heated in a kiln to a very high temperature and then ice-hardened. Then, they are again tempered using high temperature to make the blade strong and durable with a long-lasting performance. At the same time, this special heat treatment makes the blade corrosion resistant. The blade is hardened to Rockwell 62-63 degrees for SG2 core knives and Rockwell 60-61 degrees for VG10 core knives.
The Range
The stunner amongst Yaxell knives, the Super Gou impresses with a beautiful handle made of red-black Canvas-Micarta and 18-10 stainless steel inside. Yaxell Super Gou knives feature a 161-layer micro-carbide stainless steel blade with an unprecedented hardness of approximately 63 Rockwell. The surface impresses with a fascinating Damascus design pattern – a symbol of the highest quality knife and it’s signature Super Gou 161 layers. These knives are in use by hotels and restaurants, and top chefs all over the world. Yaxell knives are becoming more and more popular among discerning hobby chefs.
A little about the blade:
The blade core is made from ultra-hard Micro Carbide Powder stainless steel SG2 which is enveloped by 80 layers on each side with soft and hard stainless steel. This powdered steel contains a lot of carbon and has an unprecedented hardness of approximately 63 Rockwell. Powdered steel is used because it ensures a high degree of purity and an exceptionally sharp cutting edge. The surface impresses with a fascinating Damascus design pattern – a symbol of the highest quality knife and it’s signature Super Gou 161 layers.
161 layers SG2 (Micro-carbide) Stainless Steel cross-section photo
Under the microscope at 100x magnification. The core material is SG2 and is covered by 80 layers on each side.
A little about the handle:
The handle is made out of red-black Canvas-Micarta, which is an odourless and enormously durable material made of resin and linen and formed under high temperature & pressure. The end of the handle is made out of stainless steel, which gives the knife outstanding stability. Three stainless steel rivets fasten the handle tightly. The handle is very comfortable to hold and allows tireless working in all cutting techniques. The trademark ‘GOU’ is engraved on the grip end.
The Knife
The Super Gou 20cm Kiritsuke Knife is a true Japanese-styled knife. It is a hybrid of an Usuba (Vegetable Knife) and a Yanagiba (Slice raw fish for sushi). This makes the Kiritsuke a multi-purpose knife, perfect for the preparation of Asian cuisine.
Features of the Yaxell Super Gou:
- Crafted from ultra-hard SG2 stainless steel clad with 80 layers on each side
- Hand made in Seki City, Japan
- Hand wash only
