A santoku trades the length of a gyuto for a shorter, broader blade, and this 170mm version from the Hatsukokoro Hikari line uses that shape to handle slicing, dicing, and chopping across vegetables, fish, and meat with equal ease. The core is SLD, a semi stainless tool steel that balances strong edge retention with easier maintenance than a fully reactive carbon steel.
The blade is built with a san mai construction, with a softer stainless cladding protecting the SLD core, and finished in a clean satin polish that helps food release cleanly off the blade. The edge is ground with a subtle convex shape and a symmetrical 50/50 bevel, sharpened to about 12 degrees per side, and the handle is an octagonal ebony for a comfortable, secure grip.
Care Instructions:SLD is more rust resistant than traditional carbon steel but still best treated with some care. Hand wash and dry the blade immediately after use rather than letting it soak, and avoid cutting through bones or frozen foods. Sharpen on quality water stones, and regular honing or stropping will keep the edge at its best.
The blade is built with a san mai construction, with a softer stainless cladding protecting the SLD core, and finished in a clean satin polish that helps food release cleanly off the blade. The edge is ground with a subtle convex shape and a symmetrical 50/50 bevel, sharpened to about 12 degrees per side, and the handle is an octagonal ebony for a comfortable, secure grip.
Care Instructions:SLD is more rust resistant than traditional carbon steel but still best treated with some care. Hand wash and dry the blade immediately after use rather than letting it soak, and avoid cutting through bones or frozen foods. Sharpen on quality water stones, and regular honing or stropping will keep the edge at its best.
- Maker: Hatsukokoro
- Location: Sakai, Japan
- Construction: San Mai
- Edge Steel: SLD Semi-Stainless Tool Steel
- Grind: 50/50 Convex, 12 Degrees Per Side
- Handle: Octagonal Ebony
- Finish: Satin Polish
- Weight: 4.6 oz (130 g)
- Blade Length: 171 mm
- Total Length: 310 mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 2 mm
- Blade Height: 45 mm
