Petty • 150 mm • 33 layers VG10 • Japanese octagonal handle of red pakka • for both left and right hand use

The Ultimate Unkai series has a core of VG10 steel, between 32 layers of stainless damascus steel. The blade is slightly thicker, with a medium weight. The knife gives a lot of hand feeling, partly due to the handle that is perfectly formed for Western hands. This is ergonomically shaped and gives a lot of hand feeling while cutting. Beautiful mosaic pin gives the whole a luxurious look: ZANMAI.

The combination of hand feel, balance and the extremely thin and sharp cutting edge provide enormous comfort while cutting. The VG10 steel is, after forging and thinning, hardened by cooling it extremely quickly. This results in the correct hardness and toughness of the steel, which can not only be sharpened very sharply, but also remains sharp for a long time.

President Tomohiro Hasegawa, is young compared to other knife factory owners in Seki region. The company itself is also relatively young in the tradition of knife makers. Making chef knives now for a little more then 10 years, the focus was was always on scissors and pocket knives. All knowledge in the past years gained is passed to the new generation. This combined with new technologies makes Zanmai a well respected knifemaker. 

"We are classmates", as Tomo san always refers to when we meet. Both born in 1974, living the knife life and passionated in what we do: Zanmai!