Yaxell knife sets comparison – which set is right for you?
Yaxell is one of the most well-known Japanese-style knife brands, and its range includes several different series for different needs. The differences are in the steel, the structure and the feel. In this comparison, we will go through the Yaxell Ran, Zen, Blue Breeze, Taishi, Hana, Ketu, SuperGou and SuperGou Ypsilon series , and help you choose the right chef's knife, santoku, kiritsuke or nakiri for your own use.
What do the forged layers on Yaxell knives mean?
Yaxell knives use two main designs:
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A multi-layered Damascus blade , where the blade is made up of dozens or even hundreds of forged layers. This gives the knife a recognizable pattern and often also stiffness and a finished feel.
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3-layer construction (san-mai) where a hard core steel is protected on both sides by softer steel. This construction is easy to maintain and very practical for everyday use.
The number of layers alone does not make a knife better, but it says a lot about the nature and intended use of the set.
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Ran: 69 layers – VG10 – versatile
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Zen: 37 layers – VG10 – lightweight
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Blue Breeze: 3-layer – MOVAX – easy
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Taishi: 3-layer – VG10 – kiritsuke
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Faucet: 3-layer – MOVAX – stylish
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Ketu: 3-layer – SG2 – sturdy
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SuperGou: 161 floors – SG2 – top
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SuperGou Ypsilon: 193 floors – SG2 – premium
Yaxell Ran – a classic choice for the home chef
Floor structure: 69 floors
Core steel: VG10
Yaxell Ran is one of the most popular series. The 69-layer Damascus blade combines good sharpness and durability, and the series is ideal as a chef's knife or santoku for versatile cooking. Ran is easy to recommend to the active home cook who wants quality without excessive maintenance.
Yaxell Zen – lighter and easier to handle
Floor structure: 37 floors
Core steel: VG10
The Zen series is lighter and a bit more forgiving than the Ran series. The 37-ply construction makes the knives comfortable to use for long periods of time. The Zen works well as a santo knife , a light chef's knife , and a smaller vegetable knife for everyday use.
Yaxell Blue Breeze – modern and easy to maintain
Layer structure: 3-layer
Core steel: MOVAX
Blue Breeze is designed for carefree use. The 3-ply construction and stainless MOVAX core make it a very easy-care option. The series is perfect for everyday chef's knife or santoku use when you want a functional knife without special care.
Yaxell Taishi – traditional and sturdy
Layer structure: 3-layer
Core steel: VG10
The Taishi series represents a more traditional Japanese design and feel. It is suitable for the user who values the posture and precise control of a knife. The Taishi works particularly well as a kiritsuke-style knife and for precise slicing.
Yaxell Faucet – beautiful and practical
Layer structure: 3-layer
Core steel: MOVAX
The Hana series combines stylish looks with ease of use. The MOVAX core and 3-layer construction make the knives worry-free to use. Hana is a popular choice as a santoku , a lightweight chef's knife and especially as a gift.
Yaxell Ketu – SG2 steel in a practical form
Layer structure: 3-layer
Core steel: SG2
The Ketu series offers top-notch SG2 steel, but in a 3-layer construction that makes the knife more stable and easier to use. Ketu is perfect as a sturdy chef's knife and is also a natural choice as a nakiri knife for processing vegetables.
Yaxell SuperGou – top-class Damascus
Floor structure: 161 floors
Core steel: SG2
SuperGou is Yaxell's top series. The 161-layer Damascus blade and SG2 core provide exceptional sharpness and long-lasting cutting ability. The series is aimed at professionals and very demanding enthusiasts, and works excellently as a chef's knife or a paring knife .
Yaxell SuperGou Ypsilon – refined excellence
Floor structure: 193 floors
Core steel: SG2
The SuperGou Ypsilon takes the finishing to the next level. The 193-ply blade offers a striking Damascus pattern and top-notch performance. The Ypsilon is the choice for those who want the best of Yaxell in both use and appearance.
Summary – how to choose the right Yaxell?
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General purpose chef's knife: Ran, Zen, Blue Breeze
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Santoku for everyday life: Ran, Zen, Hana
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Kiritsuke for precise work: Taishi, SuperGou
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Vegetable knife / Nakiri: Zen, Ketu
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Professional use and top performance: SuperGou, SuperGou Ypsilon
In the end, what matters most is not just the set, but what type of knife best suits your cooking.
