G3 - also known as Ginsan or Silver #3 - is one of the most practical steels available in a Japanese kitchen knife. It behaves like a carbon steel on the stone, taking a keen edge with minimal effort, while offering the corrosion resistance of a stainless alloy. Heat treated here to 62 HRC, it sits at a hardness that balances long edge life with the forgiveness that makes it easy to maintain. CKTG worked with a medium-sized factory in Tosa to build the Harukaze G3 line - Harukaze meaning windy spring - specifically as an accessible, high-quality option for cooks who want real performance without carbon steel maintenance.
This kiritsuke pairs that G3 core with stainless cladding finished in nashiji (pear skin) texture - a fine, matte surface that reduces drag and adds understated visual character. The profile is slightly flatter than a standard gyuto, making it well suited to push-cutting and slicing tasks, with the pointed tip giving it additional precision for detail work. The magnolia oval handle is light in hand and the kanji engraving on both sides of the blade adds an authentic touch unusual at this price. Blade height of 45mm provides comfortable knuckle clearance.
What Customers Are Saying: Reviewers rate this kiritsuke very highly across the board, noting the sharp out-of-box edge and the way it glides through both proteins and vegetables without resistance. Users new to the flat-profiled kiritsuke format find adjustment comes quickly, and the Ginsan steel makes maintenance straightforward. One reviewer notes the handle runs light and plans to rehandle eventually - worth knowing if handle balance is a priority for you.
Care Instructions: Ginsan (Silver #3) is a low-maintenance stainless steel. Hand wash and dry after use. Sharpen on quality water stones when needed. No special storage requirements.
This kiritsuke pairs that G3 core with stainless cladding finished in nashiji (pear skin) texture - a fine, matte surface that reduces drag and adds understated visual character. The profile is slightly flatter than a standard gyuto, making it well suited to push-cutting and slicing tasks, with the pointed tip giving it additional precision for detail work. The magnolia oval handle is light in hand and the kanji engraving on both sides of the blade adds an authentic touch unusual at this price. Blade height of 45mm provides comfortable knuckle clearance.
What Customers Are Saying: Reviewers rate this kiritsuke very highly across the board, noting the sharp out-of-box edge and the way it glides through both proteins and vegetables without resistance. Users new to the flat-profiled kiritsuke format find adjustment comes quickly, and the Ginsan steel makes maintenance straightforward. One reviewer notes the handle runs light and plans to rehandle eventually - worth knowing if handle balance is a priority for you.
Care Instructions: Ginsan (Silver #3) is a low-maintenance stainless steel. Hand wash and dry after use. Sharpen on quality water stones when needed. No special storage requirements.
- Brand: Harukaze
- Location: Tosa, Japan
- Construction: San Mai
- Core Steel: G3 Stainless (Ginsan / Silver #3)
- Cladding: Stainless
- HRC: 62
- Finish: Nashiji (Pear Skin)
- Edge Grind: Even (50/50)
- Engraving: Kanji
- Handle: Magnolia Oval
- Ferrule: Black Pakka Wood
- Weight: 5.2 oz (148 g)
- Blade Length: 215 mm
- Total Length: 355 mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 2 mm
- Blade Height: 45 mm
- Photos: Gustavo Bermudez
Reviews
3 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Excellent knife SuperbPosted By: Jay Bee
13 people found this review helpful
I've had this knife for quite a few months now and it's been really nice to use. I've used it for everything from veg prep to slicing raw and cooked proteins and it glides through everything! Nice sharp edge out of the box. Haven't had to hit it on my stones yet!!!
13 people found this review helpful
I've had this knife for quite a few months now and it's been really nice to use. I've used it for everything from veg prep to slicing raw and cooked proteins and it glides through everything! Nice sharp edge out of the box. Haven't had to hit it on my stones yet!!!
Harukaze KiritsukePosted By: Eric Grant - verified customer
15 people found this review helpful
I love this knife! I've only had it for a few weeks but I love how it performs. Definitely takes a minute to adjust to the style if you're not used to the flat blade, or if you haven't used a Japanese blade before, but once I got it under my hand, I'm really happy. My only issue is the really light handle, which makes it fairly blade heavy, but I'm planning on rehandling at some point anyway, so that will be short-lived. I highly recommend this knife. CK2G service was great.
15 people found this review helpful
I love this knife! I've only had it for a few weeks but I love how it performs. Definitely takes a minute to adjust to the style if you're not used to the flat blade, or if you haven't used a Japanese blade before, but once I got it under my hand, I'm really happy. My only issue is the really light handle, which makes it fairly blade heavy, but I'm planning on rehandling at some point anyway, so that will be short-lived. I highly recommend this knife. CK2G service was great.
