Description
Takefu Yu-Shoku Clad V-Toku2 – Mokume Clad Japanese Carbon Steel
Takefu Yu-Shoku V-Toku2 is an exceptional Japanese laminated knife steel combining a high-carbon V-Toku2 core with a striking 9-layer multi-metal mokume-style cladding in 4.2 x 50 x 500 mm.
Manufactured by Takefu Special Steel in Japan, the Yu-Shoku construction is unlike conventional Damascus. The V-Toku2 carbon steel core provides the cutting edge, while the stainless cladding incorporates layers of brass and copper, creating a distinctive pattern of bright stainless steel, warm copper and golden brass.
Once finished and etched, the contrast is remarkable: the V-Toku2 edge develops a deep dark colour while the stainless cladding remains bright, revealing the copper and brass layers through the surface.
This is a particularly exciting material for makers who want to combine high-performance Japanese carbon steel with an unusual, highly decorative blade construction.
The cladding can be further developed by hammer texturing before heat treatment, producing a more dramatic and irregular pattern in the finished blade.
Steel construction: V-Toku2 carbon steel core with multi-metal mokume-style stainless cladding
Manufacturer: Takefu Special Steel, Japan
Thickness: 4.2 mm
Width: 50 mm
Length: 500 mm
How to heat treat Takefu V-Toku2:
- hold at 750 C for 30 mins (1382 F)
- hold at 820 C for max 10 mins (1500 F)
- quench in warm oil or water
- temper at 180 C for 2 hours x 2 (350 C) ** Takeful says from 120C for max hardness of HRC 65 **
Our version with hammer texturing and heat treat and photos: LINK
Link to document from Takefu with the official heat treatment advice: LINK
Note: Our recommended recipe (oil quench, 180C temper) will give a more robust blade than the "real" Japanese recipe of water quench and min 120 C tempering for 65-66 HRC - as most Australian makers will prefer the slightly tougher, less hard version. Please consider "our version" what we do at Nordic Edge and a place to start experimenting with your own process and not the final word on this.
Ideal for: Japanese-style kitchen knives, chef knives, custom knives and makers looking for an unusual laminated blade material. The multi-metal cladding creates a Damascus-like layered pattern incorporating stainless steel, copper and brass.
The photo is showing example of a completed knife in this steel - the product is a steel bar and not a knife.
V-Toku2 is a high-carbon steel made in Japan to exact specifications by Takefu Special Steel with 1.05% carbon, 0.35% Chromium, 1.25% Tungsten, less than: 0.2% Vanadium, 0.4% Manganese and less than 0.25% Nickel.
