Kanetsugu Cutlery has been producing knives in Seki City, Japan, since 1918 - over a century of production in one of Japanese great cutlery centers. The AUS-8A line is the line-cook knife: thin, well-ground, low-maintenance stainless steel at a price that makes it easy to put into hard daily use. AUS-8A is a high-carbon stainless alloy with nickel, manganese, vanadium, chromium, and molybdenum additions that give it excellent rust resistance and easy sharpening at 59-60 HRC. San mai roll-forged construction, walnut western handle. Made in Seki City exclusively for working kitchens.
The santoku - three virtues in Japanese, for slicing, dicing, and mincing - is the all-purpose kitchen knife for cooks who prefer a shorter, compact blade. Weighing 3.3oz, with a blade length of 168mm and a height of 45mm, this santoku is a well-proportioned all-purpose knife that handles the full range of daily prep. The flat edge profile suits push-cutting through vegetables and proteins without requiring the rocking motion a gyuto encourages. AUS-8A at 59-60 HRC holds a solid working edge through a service and comes back quickly on a ceramic rod between sessions. Walnut western handle, san mai roll-forged construction.
Care Instructions: AUS-8A is a fully stainless steel - low maintenance and resistant to corrosion. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher for best longevity. Do not use on bones, frozen foods, or hard crusts. Sharpen on quality water stones or a ceramic honing rod - AUS-8A at 59-60 HRC sharpens quickly and responds well to regular maintenance.
What Customers Are Saying: The one review so far praises the blade itself, holding an edge well with minimal sharpening effort, but reports the handle developed some wiggle near the bolster after about two months of use, enough that the reviewer plans to replace the knife with something more robust. Worth knowing as a fit and finish note on the handle construction.
The santoku - three virtues in Japanese, for slicing, dicing, and mincing - is the all-purpose kitchen knife for cooks who prefer a shorter, compact blade. Weighing 3.3oz, with a blade length of 168mm and a height of 45mm, this santoku is a well-proportioned all-purpose knife that handles the full range of daily prep. The flat edge profile suits push-cutting through vegetables and proteins without requiring the rocking motion a gyuto encourages. AUS-8A at 59-60 HRC holds a solid working edge through a service and comes back quickly on a ceramic rod between sessions. Walnut western handle, san mai roll-forged construction.
Care Instructions: AUS-8A is a fully stainless steel - low maintenance and resistant to corrosion. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher for best longevity. Do not use on bones, frozen foods, or hard crusts. Sharpen on quality water stones or a ceramic honing rod - AUS-8A at 59-60 HRC sharpens quickly and responds well to regular maintenance.
What Customers Are Saying: The one review so far praises the blade itself, holding an edge well with minimal sharpening effort, but reports the handle developed some wiggle near the bolster after about two months of use, enough that the reviewer plans to replace the knife with something more robust. Worth knowing as a fit and finish note on the handle construction.
- Brand: Kanetsugu
- Line: AUS-8A
- Location: Seki City, Japan
- Founded: 1918
- Construction: San Mai, Roll Forged
- Edge Steel: AUS-8A Stainless Steel
- Cladding: Stainless
- HRC: 59-60
- Edge Grind: Even, Double Bevel
- Handle: Walnut Western
- Weight: 3.3 oz (92 g)
- Blade Length: 168 mm
- Total Length: 293 mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 2 mm
- Blade Height: 45 mm
Reviews
1 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Good blade, bad handle, May 29, 2026
