Nakiyo Teak San Mai Sujihiki/Slicer

The sujihiki (筋引), literally “muscle puller,” or slicer, is a traditional Japanese knife specialized for slicing meat. Elegant but functional, the light, narrow blade is known for the unparalleled quality of its cut when trimming, slicing, and filleting, and makes an invaluable addition to the arsenal of any omnivore.

Function

Thanks to its thin, narrow blade, the sujihiki encounters little resistance when slicing through any cut of meat or boneless fish. Its length and sharpness carry it through even large pieces with a single draw cut—combined with the acute angle of the edge, finer than on most Western knives, this allows it to create flawless slices with minimal cellular damage on the cut surface.

Form

The blade is made using the centuries-old san mai (“three-layer”) construction technique, in which a hardened steel core is forge welded to a jacket of softer steel for strength. Nakiyo San Mai blades are forged with a core of VG-10 cobalt alloy steel, a high-carbon stainless steel developed in Japan. Hardened to a Rockwell hardness of 60, it accommodates a long-lasting, razor-sharp edge. The core is clad in 13 chrome stainless steel, which strengthens the blade and guards against corrosion.

The lightweight handle is crafted from strong and durable teak (Tectona grandis) wood, which provides a secure grip without upsetting the knife’s balance. The wood, among the most water-resistant species in the world, is secured and accented by a ferrule (collar) of black water buffalo horn. Its octagonal profile guarantees a firm hold and is suitable for both right- and left-handed users.