Takeshi Saji rainbow

[NateyLB]

My cousin is getting into the rainbows and wants to start to collecting. He just got a sg2 rainbow 240 gyuto yo with a wooden box today and is probably going to go back for the like 4/5 more. Are these good to keep or do you think there are other saji rainbows that would be better to collect? I see there a few different rainbows and he says there are some that fetch 1k+.

 

[jedy617]

My cousin is getting into the rainbows and wants to start to collecting. He just got a sg2 rainbow 240 gyuto yo with a wooden box today and is probably going to go back for the like 4/5 more. Are these good to keep or do you think there are other saji rainbows that would be better to collect? I see there a few different rainbows and he says there are some that fetch 1k+.

Bought one when I was newer because I liked the look. Wasn't the best cutter, I think they may be thinner now though. I don't believe your cousin when they say some get 1k+.

Furthermore, I have never seen an sg2 rainbow. From what I know, there are blue 2, and I believe VG10's are a recent edition.

Personally, don't understand the worth of collecting since they aren't exactly rare, and I think there are better performing and looking knives out there. However, I never "collect" anything just because it has unique attributes or is rare. It has to be a really good product for me as well.

I do think they are pretty though. I would own an ironwood rainbow again if fit and finish and cutting performance was improved.

my old one:

 

[plantgainz]

Never heard of a sg2 rainbow either

 

[jedy617]

Might be thinking of one of saji's other lines

 

[NateyLB]

Bought one when I was newer because I liked the look. Wasn't the best cutter, I think they may be thinner now though. I don't believe your cousin when they say some get 1k+.

Furthermore, I have never seen an sg2 rainbow. From what I know, there are blue 2, and I believe VG10's are a recent edition.

Personally, don't understand the worth of collecting since they aren't exactly rare, and I think there are better performing and looking knives out there. However, I never "collect" anything just because it has unique attributes or is rare. It has to be a really good product for me as well.

I do think they are pretty though. I would own an ironwood rainbow again if fit and finish and cutting performance was improved.

my old one:

View attachment 340990

He is buying to just collect I think he uses some miyabi birchwoods.

When i first got into knives I thought the lore behind saji was really cool and the whole knife village things is awesome. Held one in hand and wasn’t impressed.

I think we got the aogami#2 , when you say it fast it sounds like sg2. I bought the knife over phone. Again, he’s going to keep it in the box so I think the difference is negligible.

I too never collect just to collect I have to use to justify my purchase.

It is a pretty knife though, would look pretty in a display case if that’s what’s he’s going for.

 

[Metallicats44]

I got my wife a Saji rainbow VG10 petty and it’s all she ever wants to use. Sharpens nicely.. stays sharp for an while and it is really pretty if ya ask me. I really dig it actually. Every time I see it sitting there covered in whatever, I’m glad I got her a nice SS that keeps her away from my carbons

..that being said, I like it to use it.. not as a collection piece

 

[jedy617]

He is buying to just collect I think he uses some miyabi birchwoods.

When i first got into knives I thought the lore behind saji was really cool and the whole knife village things is awesome. Held one in hand and wasn’t impressed.

I think we got the aogami#2 , when you say it fast it sounds like sg2. I bought the knife over phone. Again, he’s going to keep it in the box so I think the difference is negligible.

I too never collect just to collect I have to use to justify my purchase.

It is a pretty knife though, would look pretty in a display case if that’s what’s he’s going for.

Oh he is going to keep it in a box? Man I don't want to be a downer but I don't get the point of keeping a mass production piece that is readily available as a collectors item really. That being said...if it makes it so he doesn't take any of the rare stuff out of circulation that's fine lol.

In terms of more collectible and pretty stuff I think the maki series is way cooler: https://miuraknives.com/japanese-kn...-series-size21-24cm-id4570-japanese-knif.html

Google the maki and urushi series

 

[NateyLB]

I got my wife a Saji rainbow VG10 petty and it’s all she ever wants to use. Sharpens nicely.. stays sharp for an while and it is really pretty if ya ask me. I really dig it actually. Every time I see it sitting there covered in whatever, I’m glad I got her a nice SS that keeps her away from my carbons

..that being said, I like it to use it.. not as a collection piece

I just got my girlfriend a takeda mini petty to use hopefully she wipes it off. Was about to get nigara ginsan petty for her but felt takeda is far superior but she needs to learn how to use it.

He likes the rainbows. I brought over takeda and shig today he didn’t even wanna try them. Used to his Miyabis haha

 

[NateyLB]

Oh he is going to keep it in a box? Man I don't want to be a downer but I don't get the point of keeping a mass production piece that is readily available as a collectors item really. That being said...if it makes it so he doesn't take any of the rare stuff out of circulation that's fine lol.

In terms of more collectible and pretty stuff I think the maki series is way cooler: https://miuraknives.com/japanese-kn...-series-size21-24cm-id4570-japanese-knif.html

Google the maki and urushi series

I’m with you on that one more for us. I think he is set on getting a set of rainbows, I’m not sure what defines a set for him since he isn’t using it. Most of us define a set as the knives we need/use on a daily/weekly basis.

Very pretty sayas but the actual Damascus on the blade isn’t that much crazier than the vg10 stuff. Not enough to warrant a 1k premium. I’m scared if I send him he will actually buy haha.

 

[Delat]

I agree on not being enamored with the Saji rainbows. If he likes the look of copper then there’s a ton of great Western smiths working with it right now. Newham has been messing around with copper/stainless/carbon; I suspect he’s using Takefu prelams which I’d guess Saji is also. Other than that there’s a ton of Western smiths doing coppermascus.

Also send him this website - if anything there makes him drool then he can always find a smith to make him a custom with a billet.
https://www.bakerforge.com/

 

[NateyLB]

Oh he is going to keep it in a box? Man I don't want to be a downer but I don't get the point of keeping a mass production piece that is readily available as a collectors item really. That being said...if it makes it so he doesn't take any of the rare stuff out of circulation that's fine lol.

In terms of more collectible and pretty stuff I think the maki series is way cooler: https://miuraknives.com/japanese-kn...-series-size21-24cm-id4570-japanese-knif.html

Google the maki and urushi series

I sent him hinoura rainbows and the maki series he thinks they are cool still set on the vg10/blue2 rainbows though.

 

[jedy617]

Yeah I think hinoura would be the move. I still think they use the same pre cladded steel though, they look very similar and both are blue 2...

 

[jedy617]

If you want this for your brother...dm Phil on Instagram @the_homebutcher

 

[NateyLB]

Th

View attachment 341242
If you want this for your brother...dm Phil on Instagram @the_homebutcher

Thank you I just sent it to him.

 

[Bensonhai]

Saji Rainbows, I personally like his VG10 (right side) more than his Aogami #2 for both looks and profile.

 

[NateyLB]

View attachment 341242
If you want this for your brother...dm Phil on Instagram @the_homebutcher

He bought it

 

[NateyLB]

Saji Rainbows, I personally like his VG10 (right side) more than his Aogami #2 for both looks and profile.
View attachment 341276

They both look cool but profile isn’t for me. I forget which one I held but I ended up going with a nigara ginsan that had a thick spine, more workhorse profile and can rock easy. Better for me. I also was looking at a 210 ikeda mirror in white 2 I think. I should have gotten that. I didn’t know much about knives at the time and went on shop recommendation. Wish I went Ikeda as it was under retail.

 

[jedy617]

He bought it

Eh at least he knows what he likes! Price was good and Phil is good peoples.

 

[NateyLB]

Eh at least he knows what he likes! Price was good and Phil is good peoples.

That’s exactly what I told him haha. I said everything I tell you or say doesn’t matter if you like it. Buy what you like and that’s what matters. Especially if you aren’t planning on selling ever in the future.

 

[Tekkz]

I agree on not being enamored with the Saji rainbows. If he likes the look of copper then there’s a ton of great Western smiths working with it right now. Newham has been messing around with copper/stainless/carbon; I suspect he’s using Takefu prelams which I’d guess Saji is also. Other than that there’s a ton of Western smiths doing coppermascus.

Also send him this website - if anything there makes him drool then he can always find a smith to make him a custom with a billet.
https://www.bakerforge.com/

Newham just dropped some rainbow stuff

https://newhamknives.com/products/fullered-rainbow-gyuto

https://newhamknives.com/products/vtoku2-rainbow-gyuto

https://newhamknives.com/products/rainbow-petty

 

[Delat]

Newham just dropped some rainbow stuff

https://newhamknives.com/products/fullered-rainbow-gyuto

https://newhamknives.com/products/vtoku2-rainbow-gyuto

https://newhamknives.com/products/rainbow-petty

I was going to post those too - costs more than Saji but IMHO well worth it especially vs collecting a bunch of Sajis which presumably means you have the money and means to buy something valuable.

 

[Matt Jacobs]

I came close to grabbing B2 Saji Rainbows many times, unfortunately the low blade height compared to the tall handle are deal breaker for me. Saji has had some cool knives over the years that I could see collecting but not this line. That being said that Home Butcher pick up was a steal. Locally Epic Edge used to have these for around $300.00, I think they are closer to $700.00 now so at least he isn't going backwards in value. They don't tend to sell fast here though.

 

[NateyLB]

I was going to post those too - costs more than Saji but IMHO well worth it especially vs collecting a bunch of Sajis which presumably means you have the money and means to buy something valuable.

Dang these are pretty

 

[NateyLB]

I came close to grabbing B2 Saji Rainbows many times, unfortunately the low blade height compared to the tall handle are deal breaker for me. Saji has had some cool knives over the years that I could see collecting but not this line. That being said that Home Butcher pick up was a steal. Locally Epic Edge used to have these for around $300.00, I think they are closer to $700.00 now so at least he isn't going backwards in value. They don't tend to sell fast here though.

He is now looking at the vg10 gold series haha

 

[NateyLB]

Update: he is now into the hatsukokoro yorokobi series.

 

[Moooza]

I am curious, what car does he drive?

 

[NateyLB]

I am curious, what car does he drive?

1999 Honda civic. Lmao just kidding 2024 hummer EV from a 2018 m6 and I think there’s an i7 in the driveway too he can buy as many copper knives as he wants lol

 

[M1k3]

Update: he is now into the hatsukokoro yorokobi series.

Have you introduced him to Mokume?

 

[NateyLB]

Have you introduced him to Mokume?

This looks pretty. No I haven’t I’ve been letting him do self discovery. Trying not to influence his preference lol

 

[jedy617]

This man should be buying jiros! And cumai haha