Yaxell RAN

Yaxell RAN

Yaxell Ran - 69 layers of Japanese craftsmanship

The Ran series is one of Yaxell's most acclaimed and internationally awarded lines. The name 嵐 (Ran) means "storm" - fitting for the visual effect of the blade: 69 layers of Damascus steel rippling like a restless sea around the polished VG10 core. It is a knife that draws attention and lives up to it in use.

Yaxell Corporation was founded in 1932 in Seki, the city in Gifu Prefecture that has been the centre of Japanese knife and sword making tradition for over 780 years. The Ran series stands in that lineage: the Damascus technique used to build the blade derives directly from the layered forging craft of the Japanese swordsmiths, now placed at the service of the kitchen knife.

The steel: VG10 core with 69-layer Damascus

The Ran blade has a VG10 steel core clad on both sides by 34 layers of softer stainless steel - 69 layers in total. The softer outer layers protect the hard core and absorb shocks, while the alternation of the many layers produces the rich, detailed Damascus pattern that gives the Ran its characteristic appearance. The more layers, the finer and more complex the pattern - and with 69 layers the Ran is among the most finely layered series in the Yaxell range.

VG10 - composition and properties

VG10 ("V Gold 10") is an alloy from Takefu Special Steel in Fukui Prefecture, Japan, developed as the ultimate balance between hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance for premium kitchen knives.

• Carbon (C: approx. 1.0%) - High carbon content for a stainless steel. Provides hardness, enables a sharp cutting edge and promotes edge retention.
• Chromium (Cr: approx. 15%) - Well above the threshold for stainless steel. Forms a protective oxide layer and delivers excellent corrosion resistance, even with intensive use involving acids and moisture.
• Molybdenum (Mo: approx. 1.0%) - Increases toughness and resistance to pitting corrosion - the small rust spots that can develop with salt or acidic foods.
• Vanadium (V: approx. 0.3%) - Refines grain structure, improves wear resistance and contributes to a more stable and sharper cutting edge.
• Cobalt (Co: approx. 1.5%) - Increases hardness and improves the structural integrity of the steel. Cobalt is the element that distinguishes VG10 from many other stainless steels.
• Hardness: 61 HRC - Hard enough for excellent edge retention and a fine, sharp cutting edge. VG10 is known for the ease with which it can be sharpened razor-sharp and how long it holds that sharpness.
• Edge angle: 16 degrees per side - Sharper than European chef's knives (20-22 degrees per side), giving a finer and cleaner cut.

The ice-hardening process

Yaxell hardens its VG10 blades through a special process: the blades are heated in a kiln to a very high temperature and then ice-hardened (cryogenically treated). They are then tempered again at high temperature. This process makes the blade strong, durable and corrosion-resistant, and ensures a consistent hardness of HRC61 throughout the blade. Each blade is hand-sharpened across five processing cycles.

The 69-layer Damascus pattern

The Ran's Damascus pattern is created by forge-welding and folding 34 alternating layers of soft and hard stainless steel on each side of the VG10 core. The 69 layers produce a fine, detailed rippling pattern reminiscent of flowing water - hence the name "storm". The pattern is not a surface treatment but the visible result of the layered steel structure, making every blade unique. The Japanese name of the series is hand-engraved into the blade.

Unlike the hammered (tsuchime) finish of some other Yaxell series, the Ran has a flat polished surface, so the Damascus pattern is visible uninterrupted and in full clarity. The blade shines and the fine lines of the pattern flow smoothly across its full length.

The handle: canvas micarta

The Ran handle is made from black canvas micarta, secured with two stainless steel rivets and fitted with an engraved end-cap of 18/10 stainless steel. Canvas micarta is a composite material of multiple layers of linen, impregnated with synthetic resin under high pressure.

• Extremely durable - micarta barely wears and resists high temperatures, strong cleaning agents and mechanical stress.
• Moisture-resistant - fully waterproof due to the resin impregnation. Does not shrink, swell or crack, unlike pakkawood or natural wood.
• Excellent grip - the canvas texture maintains grip even with wet hands.
• Hygienic - non-porous surface, antibacterial, no bacterial growth in seams or pores.

The fully enclosed full tang provides strength, durability and balance. The engraved 18/10 stainless steel end-cap acts as a counterweight that shifts the centre of gravity to the right position for a balanced pinch grip.

Care

• ✅ Hand-wash immediately after use. Never in the dishwasher.
• ✅ Dry immediately after washing.
• ✅ Use a wooden or plastic cutting board. Stone, glass and ceramic damage the cutting edge.
• ✅ Sharpen on a whetstone (1000-3000 grit for maintenance, 6000+ for finishing). The 16-degree edge angle requires a whetstone or precision sharpener; honing steels and pull-through sharpeners are not suitable.
• ✅ Store on a knife block or magnetic strip.
• ⚠️ Not for chopping hard bones or frozen products. At 61 HRC, VG10 is hard and sharp, but therefore also more susceptible to chipping under lateral forces or hard impacts.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Yaxell Corporation, Seki, Japan (founded 1932)
• Construction: San Mai with 69-layer Damascus (VG10 core + 34 layers per side)
• Core steel: VG10, Takefu Special Steel, Japan
• Hardness: 61 HRC
• Edge angle: 16 degrees per side
• Grind: Double bevel (50/50), hand-sharpened across five cycles
• Finish: 69-layer Damascus, polished
• Hardening: Kiln-heated, ice-hardened, high-tempered
• Handle: Black canvas micarta, full tang, two rivets
• End-cap: Engraved 18/10 stainless steel
• Origin: Seki, Japan