Gyuto • 240 mm • Aogami super • Burnt oak handle • for both left and right handed use

Characteristics of the OEM AS+ Kurouchi-Series

OEM, also known as Original Equipment Manufacturer, is a larger company that produces both handles and blades for the knife industry. By operating on a larger scale, they are able to employ specialists in each department, resulting in an excellent price-to-quality ratio. OEM is often seen as a commercial manufacturer, but this perception is not entirely accurate, as they produce knives of high quality.

The blade is constructed using a sanmai construction, meaning it consists of two outer layers with a core of Aogami Super (Blue Steel +). This carbon steel is known for its high hardness, allowing the knife to be sharpened to an exceptional level while also retaining its edge for a long time. Over time, the core will develop a patina. In Japan, it is believed that a beautiful patina shows that a knife is well cared for.

The kurouchi finish, also known as the blacksmith’s finish, gives the knife a more robust appearance than most knives. During the forging process, impurities in the steel are burned away, and instead of polishing them out, the blacksmith chooses to leave them visible. Combined with the burnt oak handle, this gives the knife a bold and rugged character..

Blue steel, also known as Aogami/Aoki steel

This traditional steel is not named after its colour, but named after the colour of its paper wrapping, in which it is stored in the Hitachi steel factory in Japan. There are three different grades: super, #1 en #2. Blue steels use a high grade of carbon, chrome and vanadium added in their alloy. Aogami super even added extra tungsten. Aogami super is here " Best of both worlds" Blue #1 is for sharpness, Blue #2 for toughness. Blue steels are mostly seen in deba or usuba knives, white steels often in yanagibas. Aogami super is regarded as one of the best traditional steels by Japanese knifemakers, but difficult to work with. Blue steels are difficult to sharpen on a whetstone, but they remain sharp for a longer period, compared to white steels. 

Elwin de Veld about OEM

An Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is a company that manufactures an original product that is sold under another company’s brand name. In the case of knives, an OEM might manufacture a knife and sell it to several different companies who then simply add their price margin and sell the knife under their own brand name. This is a common practice in the Japan knife industry. Does it affect quality? No it doesn't, in fact, it can mean a stable production for the knifemaker. 

In this particular OEM case, a well known knifemaker from Sakai, provides knives from other producers from the region. A well overthought choice, to provide a beautiful blade with a stunning handle.