Kikuichi WG utility knife 130 mm

One hundred and thirty millimetres is the length at which a knife becomes universal: too big for peeling alone, too small to serve as a chef's knife. The WG Utility fills that gap and is light, nimble and thin enough to work with all day long.

Blade construction

The core is made of stainless VG1 steel, hardened to HRC 60. That gives the knife hardness and strength without making it heavy, and with proper use the edge stays sharp for a long time.

Around that core lies soft stainless steel. Together they form three layers, allowing the blade to be paper-thin while still remaining sturdy. The soft outer layer also gives the WG series its characteristic look.

Western shape, Japanese origins

The knife has a Western appearance on a Japanese foundation. If you're used to European kitchen knives, the switch is a small one. And you get the steel quality and thin grind of a Japanese knife into the bargain.

How this knife is made

Behind every Kikuichi knife stand at least four masters, each specialised in one part of the process. The forging is done by a different pair of hands than the sharpening, and that makes every single piece unique.

Kikuichi selects its steels for strength, hardness and durability. For the WG series, that choice fell on stainless VG1, which allows for a thin blade without sacrificing sturdiness.

Specifications

• Model code: WGA13
• Knife type: utility knife, all-purpose
• Blade length: 130 mm
• Blade type: WG
• Core steel: VG1
• Number of layers: 3
• Layers: soft stainless steel
• Hardness: HRC 60
• Bevel: double-sided
• Bevel angle ratio: 50:50
• Handle material: mahogany