Daovua Leaf Spring Santoku 175mm

Finding unusual knife makers in unexpected corners of the world is part of what makes this work interesting - new construction, new materials, new shapes that challenge the standard idea of what a good knife should be. The Nhat family, a small blacksmith operation working out of Vietnam, fits squarely into that category: hand forging leaf spring steel salvaged from cars and trucks into genuinely capable kitchen knives, with CKTG input shaping the line over several years of collaboration.

This santoku carries the same rustic character as the rest of the line - expect dents, scratches, and handle variation from piece to piece, since each knife is made by hand from recycled material. What sets it apart is the heat treatment and grind quality: the steel takes an edge readily, and most owners describe the out-of-box performance as good, with a few passes on a stone taking it to razor-sharp. For a knife at this price, the cutting performance regularly surprises buyers who expected a novelty rather than a genuine working tool.

What Customers Are Saying: A reviewer who runs a sharpening business describes a quick session on 1000 and 3000 grit stones producing a razor-sharp edge that takes a decent patina and holds well, calling the balance and feel genuinely enjoyable and the cutting performance comparable to knives costing five times as much. Another professional cook bought one to test against a a pipeline-steel version, added the CKTG sharpening service, and reports it works beautifully as a daily driver in a professional kitchen, calling it a better value than the popular brands recommended by mainstream cooking publications. A third reviewer who uses it daily in a restaurant setting describes it as beautiful and great once properly stoned, ideal for cooks cutting all day.

Care Instructions: Leaf spring carbon steel is reactive and will develop a patina with use. Wash and dry the blade immediately after each use and do not leave it wet. Avoid acidic foods sitting on the edge for extended periods. Do not put it in the dishwasher. Regular honing and occasional sharpening on water stones will keep it performing at its best.

Each knife is made by hand so measurements may vary.

• Maker: Daovua Cooperative
• Location: Vietnam
• Edge Steel: Leaf Spring Carbon Steel
• Edge Grind: Even, Double Bevel
• Handle: Octagonal (color and wood type vary)
• Weight: 4.7 oz (134 g)
• Blade Length: 175 mm
• Total Length: 310 mm
• Spine Thickness at Base: 2 mm
• Blade Height: 54 mm