Santoku • 170 mm • Blue #2 staal (Aogami) • Walnut handle • suitable for both left- and right-handed use
Features of the OEM Western Series
OEM, also known as an Original Equipment Manufacturer, is a large producer that manufactures both handles and blades for the knife industry. Because they operate on a larger scale, they can employ specialists in every department. This results in an excellent balance between quality and price. Although OEM is sometimes viewed as a commercial manufacturer, that perception does not fully reflect the craftsmanship and quality of their products.
The Western series is ideal for those who prefer knives with a bit more weight. The spine of the blade is slightly thicker, giving the knife a solid and substantial feel in hand. At the same time, the cutting edge is ground thin behind the edge, providing excellent cutting performance.
The defining features of the Western series are its handle and the matte blade finish. This finish is known as Nashiji, which translates to "pear skin." It gives the knife an elegant yet rugged appearance. The handle is made from walnut wood, adding warmth and a classic look to the overall design.
Please note: the steel type varies depending on the model within this series. Knives are available with either an SLD steel core or an Aogami steel core.
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.
