During our trips and internships in Japan we met many high skilled knifemakers. 

Rooij HAP40 series

The development of new steels is not on a hold these days. Also not in the world of Japanese knives. New high end and exotic steels are used for blades in price ranges that can empty your bank account easily. If I would choose to make my own line up, which steel should I use? Of course, a question that went through my head for years: VG10, R2 od SLD?? Maybe Aogami steel?? All these high end steels already proved their excellence in the knife business.

Now, there it is, HAP40 steel, also known as "Voodoo steel". Semi stainless powder steel which holds an edge longer then many other steels in our shop. I think, this steel has the ability to become one of the best steels for high end kitchen knives. The steel is made by Hitachi steel factory and contains elements of tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium and kobalt.

Our HAP40 knives are hardened to a 65 Hrc to provide optimum performance in practice. Thanks to the thin edge and sharp edge, these knives are killers out of the box.

The blade is thinned, which provides the right geometry for a better cutting experience. The rounded western handle is made from pakka wood and decorated with a mozaikpin, which is esthetically beautiful. As well as our VG5 series, the rounded choil provides a finger rest and will add comfort while cutting and using a professional pinch grip. This is where quality meets craftmanship. 

Rooij GINSAN series

Our ROOIJ GINSAN series is made by our knifemaker in Nagasaki prefectuur, Tanaka san, 4th generation of a small family business. In his small workshop close to his home, he manufactures different knife series, for example our GINSAN silver steel series. Traditional forged in three layers, on the outside two layers of stainless steel with a core of ginsan steel. Tanak san finishes his knives on the ouside with a nashiji look: Raw and maybe  a few imperfections. None of his knives are the same. His style, known in Japan as wabi sabi, is the beauty of imperfection. Recognisable with many Japanese small knifemakers in Japan.

GINSAN /Gingami No.3 ("Silver Paper No.3”) / Gin#3 ("Silver#3") / Ginsan-kō ("Silver 3 Steel")

Gingami No. 3, known as ginsan steel silver steel (manufactured by Hitachi Metals Ltd.) is a semi stainless steel. It has a very fine structure, which can be maintained easily and can be sharpened to extreme sharpness. Hitachi steel factory disigned silver to position it next to the well known VG10 steel, same characteristics, but a little less chrome and more refinement. The ginsan silver steel becomes more and more popular with home cooks and professionals..

Rooij Enkoku series

Our SAKU series is constructed with a mono steel 1k6, a common kind of steel, normally hardened to a 58 Hrc, but our knifemaker manages a higher hardness. This way the steel becomes a better blade in practice for edge retention and sharpness. Thanks to the thin blade it wil have less friction during cutting. The SAKU series is the perfect additional line up in our assortment, a fair price for a high quality knife. It performs like a high end steel, easy to maintain and razor sharp edge.

Rooij SG2 series

Completely handmade, finished and sharpened by mr. Tsukahara. A core of SG2 steainless steel with two outer layers of a softer stainless steel.

The blade is finished on the Kaiten Toshi ( water wheel ) by hand. This ensures a thinness, which is hard to achieve by machine. This thin blade will provide a smooth silky cutting experience. This combined with a razor sharp edge, this knife will out perform many other knives. The refined matte finish is called migaki finish, sober, but instead of screaming "bling bling", this knife will do it's talking while it is cutting: immaculate.  The matte finish is distinguised and called migaki finish in Japanese. Sober in design, but immaculate in performance. The choil is rounded and will ensure a lot of control while cutting, especially when the pinch grip is used.

The micarta handle has a white filler and is comfortable. Micarta is made out of cotton and epoxy, glued under high pressure. This material is tough, non slipping and endurable. Blue is also the national colour of Japan. SG2 powder steel has a uniform hardness of 63 Hrc and is stainless in normal use. This steel, made by Takefu steel factory, is known for it's hardness and can be sharpened like a razor. The edge retention is as expected , extremely good.

Elwin de Veld about ROOIJ knives:

A Rangelrooij knife has to have it's own identity. Now in 2019, I am a knife sharpener for 25 years, I have sharpened many knives. I think as a knife sharpener, I have held many models and brands in my hands. A knife from Rangelrooij has to have it's own identity. Now, speaking in 2019, day in day out  knives went through my hands, probably I have seen a big part of all chef knives. No, a ROOIJ knife  is not a new invention of a knife, it's a process of experience, listening to the end user and negotiate with the knife maker. Our highly skilled knifemakers in Japan are doing an awesome job. We are so proud at this collaboration.  All our knowledge, experience and passion come together in our ROOIJ knives. Arigato gozaimasu.