Few names carry as much weight among Japanese knife collectors as Anryu, whose 50-year career building the Hammered line earned a lasting following before he handed the daily work of the shop to his apprentice, Ikeda san. Now over 80, Anryu still forges knives part-time, and this 165mm santoku shows off the rustic, hand-hammered aesthetic the workshop is best known for.
At the core is Hitachi Aogami #2 carbon steel, prized for how easily it takes an edge and how long it holds one, paired with a high-performance grind that makes this santoku as capable on the board as it is striking to look at. Because each knife is handmade, slight dimensional variation between individual examples is normal. The handle is an oval rosewood with a black pakka wood ferrule.
What Customers Are Saying: With more than a dozen reviews, this santoku is one of the most consistently praised knives in the entire Hammered line. Buyers repeatedly describe it as light, easy to keep sharp, and a noticeable upgrade over heavier Western santokus they previously owned, with several naming it their new go-to knife after the first use. The hammered finish and overall craftsmanship draw steady compliments, and more than one reviewer notes that the exposed carbon edge develops a patina with regular use, which most describe as part of the appeal rather than a downside as long as the blade is kept dry between uses.
Care Instructions: Because the edge is reactive carbon steel, wipe and dry the blade immediately after each use rather than letting it sit wet. Avoid leaving acidic foods against the blade for long stretches, and apply a light coat of camellia oil if the santoku will go unused for a while. Hand wash only, and a quick hone on a ceramic rod between sharpenings will help keep the edge at its sharpest.
At the core is Hitachi Aogami #2 carbon steel, prized for how easily it takes an edge and how long it holds one, paired with a high-performance grind that makes this santoku as capable on the board as it is striking to look at. Because each knife is handmade, slight dimensional variation between individual examples is normal. The handle is an oval rosewood with a black pakka wood ferrule.
What Customers Are Saying: With more than a dozen reviews, this santoku is one of the most consistently praised knives in the entire Hammered line. Buyers repeatedly describe it as light, easy to keep sharp, and a noticeable upgrade over heavier Western santokus they previously owned, with several naming it their new go-to knife after the first use. The hammered finish and overall craftsmanship draw steady compliments, and more than one reviewer notes that the exposed carbon edge develops a patina with regular use, which most describe as part of the appeal rather than a downside as long as the blade is kept dry between uses.
Care Instructions: Because the edge is reactive carbon steel, wipe and dry the blade immediately after each use rather than letting it sit wet. Avoid leaving acidic foods against the blade for long stretches, and apply a light coat of camellia oil if the santoku will go unused for a while. Hand wash only, and a quick hone on a ceramic rod between sharpenings will help keep the edge at its sharpest.
- Brand: Anryu Hamono
- Blacksmith: Ikeda San
- Location: Takefu Village, Echizen, Japan
- Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
- Edge Steel: Blue #2 (Aogami #2) Carbon Steel
- Cladding: Stainless Hammered
- HRC: 62-63
- Handle: Rosewood Oval
- Ferrule: Black Pakka Wood
- Weight: 5.0 oz (140 g)
- Blade Length: 170 mm
- Total Length: 310 mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 3 mm
- Blade Height: 47 mm
Reviews
11 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Super Sharp Great to use. Amazing edge ! Excellent Posted By: Nick
11 people found this review helpful
Highly recommended ! The knife came in excellent condition and well packaged. The handle has a very nice feel the only clean up was a little bit of glue leftover on the knife. We love the hammered finish has a very nice look. The knife Cuts excellent and came very sharp. We wanted a handmade product and are certainly glad we found your website. Thank you so much for the beautiful and high-quality knife !
11 people found this review helpful
Highly recommended ! The knife came in excellent condition and well packaged. The handle has a very nice feel the only clean up was a little bit of glue leftover on the knife. We love the hammered finish has a very nice look. The knife Cuts excellent and came very sharp. We wanted a handmade product and are certainly glad we found your website. Thank you so much for the beautiful and high-quality knife !
No complaints. Nice KnifePosted By: Jim Hughes - verified customer
9 people found this review helpful
I really like this knife. I got another santuko knife from another vendor, but found it was too heavy. This knife is very, very sharp and, most importantly for me, lightweight. It's a pleasure to use.
9 people found this review helpful
I really like this knife. I got another santuko knife from another vendor, but found it was too heavy. This knife is very, very sharp and, most importantly for me, lightweight. It's a pleasure to use.
Love it. Cuts with ease!Posted By: AM - verified customer
10 people found this review helpful
This knife is so light and yet made with excellence! Cuts food with a super sharp edge and makes for an effortless food prep! The top hammered steel is not stainless, It will patina. The mid layer is stainless, then the carbon edge. This knife is a true joy to work with! Easy pinch grip as well.
10 people found this review helpful
This knife is so light and yet made with excellence! Cuts food with a super sharp edge and makes for an effortless food prep! The top hammered steel is not stainless, It will patina. The mid layer is stainless, then the carbon edge. This knife is a true joy to work with! Easy pinch grip as well.
Sharp and sturdyPosted By: Aditi - verified customer
6 people found this review helpful
As a regular home cook, this has been my primary knife for a month, and the quality overall is very impressive. Its sturdy yet lightweight, quite comfortable in hand to use. It doesn't feel like it will get damaged easily, and it was unscathed after I accidentally dropped it on the kitchen floor. I attempt to keep the knife dry after use, and I've had no issues with rust. The exposed carbon steel has developed a patina, of course, which makes for a cool look!I hone the edge on a ceramic rod once every 4-5 uses, and after one month, the edge seems as sharp as it was the day it arrived (sharpened by CKTG). The most outstanding part of the knife, in my view, is the superbly done convex grid, which aids immensely in food release and cutting denser food items. All in all, I believe this knife should serve as my go to knife for a long time.
6 people found this review helpful
As a regular home cook, this has been my primary knife for a month, and the quality overall is very impressive. Its sturdy yet lightweight, quite comfortable in hand to use. It doesn't feel like it will get damaged easily, and it was unscathed after I accidentally dropped it on the kitchen floor. I attempt to keep the knife dry after use, and I've had no issues with rust. The exposed carbon steel has developed a patina, of course, which makes for a cool look!I hone the edge on a ceramic rod once every 4-5 uses, and after one month, the edge seems as sharp as it was the day it arrived (sharpened by CKTG). The most outstanding part of the knife, in my view, is the superbly done convex grid, which aids immensely in food release and cutting denser food items. All in all, I believe this knife should serve as my go to knife for a long time.
Amazing little blade Wonderful KnifePosted By: Andrew Whitworth - verified customer
11 people found this review helpful
This is a fantastic knife. Gorgeous to look at, razor sharp out of the box, and an absolute pleasure to use. There were a few little details about the fit and finish that could have been better (a bit of a drop off between the ferrule and handle, a bit of roughness on the neck where my pinchgrip goes) but these are all minor details. The blade is a touch heavier and sturdier than I was expecting (not a bad thing!) and the hammered finish was much more interesting and functional than I thought it would be. Overall this is a fantastic addition to my kitchen and I highly recommend it.
11 people found this review helpful
This is a fantastic knife. Gorgeous to look at, razor sharp out of the box, and an absolute pleasure to use. There were a few little details about the fit and finish that could have been better (a bit of a drop off between the ferrule and handle, a bit of roughness on the neck where my pinchgrip goes) but these are all minor details. The blade is a touch heavier and sturdier than I was expecting (not a bad thing!) and the hammered finish was much more interesting and functional than I thought it would be. Overall this is a fantastic addition to my kitchen and I highly recommend it.
