Takeshi Saji R-2 Custom Damascus Chinese Cleaver (Ironwood Handle, SCR2-IW)

 Master Craftsman & Forgesmith, Takeshi Saji has been making traditional hammer forged knives for decades. His uniqueness is to add modern technologies, materials and designs, while keeping the traditional knife making methods.  This time, he came up with a beautiful and very unique Custom Damascus Chinese Cleaver made of R-2 core forged with layered Nickel Stainless Damascus steel blade with Traditional Hamaguri-Ba (Convex edge) blade profile. R-2 is made by a highly reputable Japanese company called Kobelco, and the steel offers remarkable cutting performance and edge retention. The two outer layers of the blade are made from a unique and elegantly patterned Damascus steel, which is comprised of alternating layers of white-colored nickel steel and sparkling mirror polished layers of steel. Master Saji says it was hard to hammer forge and heat treat this large blade.    Traditional Hammer Forging Process is known as the best method to bring the steel to its maximum performance in