Honyaki Chef's Knife - Santoku, 175mm (7 in)

Product Description for Honyaki Chef's Knife - Santoku, 175mm (7 in)

Maker: Yoshihiko Akitomo (click to see more by this maker)
Price: $479.00 Saving: $121.00
Item num: 111638
Blade length: 7.90 in.
Cutting edge length: 7.20 in.
Total length: 13.10 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.65 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.17 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.07 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.01 in.
Item weight: 5.40 oz.
Shipment weight: 10.2 oz.
Blade: Hand forged honyaki Aogami 2 (blue #2) carbon steel with an oil quench (Hrc 61-63)
Bolster: Buffalo horn
Handle: Octagonal ebony
Description: The santoku is the traditional Japanese chef’s knife and has quickly become the new favorite for chefs in the West. This comfortable design is a fantastic multipurpose chopper - whether slicing onion, chopping fruits and vegetables, or mincing herbs, the santoku is a perfect knife to grab.
The Akitomo Honyaki Series is meticulously hand forged by master bladesmith Yoshihiko Akitomo. Each knife is a rare masterpiece, crafted using the challenging honyaki method, a technique reserved for the most skilled artisans. Rather using the san mai (three-layers) technique, his honyaki knives are forged from a mono-steel and heat treated very much like a Japanese sword. The spine is coated with clay prior to quenching. This insulates the top of the blade and results in a keen, hard cutting edge with a soft, supportive spine. Honyaki takes more skill to forge and shape than other techniques. Of all the Japanese knives, honyaki knives have the greatest kirenaga (staying sharp the longest), but they are also slightly more fragile than other knives and can chip if used improperly.
The aogami 2 carbon steel blade combines exceptional sharpness, durability, and edge retention. The undulating (gunome) hamon line, enhanced by visible steel banding, shows the transition between the ultra-hard cutting edge and the softer, supportive spine.
Designed to be light and nimble, these knives offer unparalleled precision and effortless handling for the discerning chef. The octagonal "Wa" style handle is carved from ebony with a buffalo horn ferrule. This natural, ambidextrous handle is easy to grip and lasts a lifetime. Like other kitchen knives, this knife should not be put in a dishwasher or soaked in water. We recommend using camellia oil to avoid rust.
Yoshihiko Akitomo (b. 1944) lives in Kochi prefecture in Japan. The Kochi prefecture was previously called Tosa, and is a well known area of hand forged knives and garden tools. Yoshiko studied under Yoshimitsu Akitomo (his father) and became his master’s successor in 1964. Following his apprenticeship, Yoshihiko traveled to study with swordsmiths of the Shikoku region and learned many of their forging and heat treating techniques. Today, he is considered one of the master bladesmiths of the Tosa forging world. Nicknamed the "Red Orca of Tosa," Yoshihiko is renowned for pushing the boundaries of forging. His works reflect his dedication to craftsmanship and innovation.


Availability: In stock. Usually ships in 1-2 business days