Kasumi

Sointu USA is the exclusive distributor for Kasumi VG-10 steel knives in the United States. Kasumi knives are produced by Sumikama Cutlery in Seki, Japan. Sumikama Cutlery specializes in producing knives from the most advanced materials with the most advanced manufacturing techniques. Sumikama Cutlery produces two series of knives using VG-10 steel, the Kasumi VG-10 Damascus series and the Kasumi Solid VG-10 Pro series. Producing VG-10 steel knives requires tremendous experience and knowledge in order to achieve all the benefits of the super steeland to achieve a Rockwell hardness of 61. Sumikama is the original producer of VG-10 steel knives.

KASUMI VG-10 DAMASCUS PATTERN KNIVES



These knives are made from 33 layers of stainless steel. Only the middle layer acts as the cutting edge, and it is made using V-G 10 stainless steel. VG-10 is a high carbon stainless steel with cobalt, manganese, molybdenum and vanadium for added durability and ease of sharpening. It is a high quality steel developed exclusively for knives and scissors. The addition of cobalt to this steel requires special tempering in order to maximize the full benefit of this steel. Sumikama's technique for this special tempering is a closely guarded secret.

The layers on both sides of the VG-10 core are made by repeatedly folding together two different types of stainless steel and forge welding them by hand until you have sixteen exceedingly thin alternating layers. These sixteen layers are then forge welded to both sides of the VG-10 core.

The knife has a full tang with pakkawood riveted to each side of the tang creating a very distinctive and comfortable handle. A pakkawood handle is made from multiple layers of wood impregnated with a plastic resin.

KASUMI SOLID VG-10 PRO KNIVES

With this series, Sumikama, introduces the first all VG-10 "super steel" western style knives. This series of Kasumi knives is referred to as the VG-10 Pro series. VG-10 knives are widely known as multilayered clad knives with a decorative pattern on the blade. The Pro knives are single ply knives with VG-10 "super steel" blades that range in thickness from 1.8 mm to 2.1 mm depending on the length of the knife. Compare this to approximately .3 mm to .5 mm of VG-10 in a multilayered clad knife. A single ply knife offers more stability in the blade, since you do not have multiple steels with different Rockwell hardness as you do with a multilayered knife. With Kasumi VG-10 Pro knives you get 4 times more "super steel" for not much more money than VG-10 clad knives.

The Pro handle is a composite material with a lustrous, shimmering granite-like appearance. The handle also has a distinctive mosaic pin to add to its beauty.

For both series of VG-10 Kasumi knives, the edge is beveled. However, the bevel is a much narrower angle than the bevel on a European or American brand. Kasumi knives are beveled at a 15 degree angle creating a very sharp edge. Kasumi knives do not have a bolster. They do have a stainless steel ferrule that is forge welded to the blade to ensure that food particles do not become trapped between the blade and the handle. They also have a full tang. The handle is made from multiple layers of wood impregnated with a plastic resin. The handle is riveted to the tang.