Questions about a G. Sakai knife

E

Ebba-X

Joined
Jan 14, 2002
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3
On a fair here in Germany I bought a huge knife made by G. Sakai (blade length 9.5", overall 14.75"), which looks quite similar to the Coldsteel trailmasters. The blade is labelled "HSEK - High speed edge knife". The seller could not tell me much about that knife, maybe anybody else can.

Is G. Sakai a well known knife manufacturer? What does the blade imprint mean? Does it name a steel kind like 440 C, AUS or ATS 34? If yes, where about does this steel kind range concerning hardness and quality?
Or does the imprint refer to the making of the blade or a special treatment? If it is like this, what does it mean exactly? And what kind of steel is my knife's blade then?

Looking forward to an answer,

Ebba-X
 
The knife you bought is G.Sakai's Samurai bowie.
The "HSEK- High speed edge knife" Refers to it's edge shape.
Back in the days, the japanese swordsmiths experimented a lot to create the perfect sword. One thing invented during these experimenting was an edge shape called Hamaguri-ba. With mild convex forms, resembling a clamshell they got an edge with both strength and great sharpness. And this is what this high speed edge is.

Atleast that is how I remember it from an old G.Sakai Knife catalog I once had. Most of the knives in the catalog had blades made of 440-c or ATS34, so my guess is that your knife has one of those steels in the blade.

G.Sakai is one of the better makers in Seki Japan. And their knives is of good quality.

I think you bought a great knife. I have actually tried to find someone who sells them here in sweden or somewhere on the internet. Unfortunatly only japanese dealers seem to carry that knife and my skills in japanese is non exictant.

Hopefully that answered some of your questions.

/Bjorn
 
Spyderco's own site carries some Sekai knives. I think that is because they make some of Spyderco's knives. Pretty nice, I've alsmost bought one several times.

Ben
 
I got some of these Bowies from Cutlery Shoppe in the late 80's/early 90's area. One, the Teton Bowie, had a rubbery polymer handle. The other had a green Micarta handle. Both had nice brass guards, looking much like the Trailmaster but were of stainless steel. I do not recall the steel type. Nice looking knives, with a good convex edge, and my brother used the Teton Bowie to split firewood.
 
I don't know if it has some use, but maybe you like to take a look
on his site!;)
The adress is http://www.gsakai.co.jp/
I also don't understand Japanese, but when I find a reference I
always look on the adressbarr, they are most of the time in English.
So, with a little fantasy you can guess where you're going to.
Good luck!:D
 
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