The Kato AS santoku carries the refined, rustic, handcrafted aesthetics the entire AS lineup is known for, condensed into a compact 165mm package that suits cooks who prefer a shorter, more maneuverable blade than a full gyuto. Master blacksmith Yoshimi Kato hand-forges every blade in this line, applying decades of experience at Kanehiro Uchi Hamono in Takefu Village, Echizen, to a high-performance grind that brings out the best in Hitachi Aogami Super steel.
The AS core is a carbon steel and will patina with use, but maintenance stays simple thanks to the stainless steel cladding protecting the rest of the blade. The taper from heel to tip is gradual and well executed, allowing the blade to drop cleanly through whatever is on the board. Since these knives are made entirely by hand, dimensions vary slightly from one example to the next.
What Customers Are Saying: One reviewer calls it simply outstanding, noting this was their second purchase of the knife after buying the first for a family member - high praise for a vendor that genuinely understands the craft. Another, relatively new to Japanese knives, added the CKTG finish sharpening service and reports the santoku chops and slices through vegetables and proteins like a dream, calling it a well-balanced, beautifully crafted tool that impressed them enough to order the matching petty as well. A third, who already owned the matching petty, specifically wanted the AS cladding again and describes the gradual taper as letting the blade simply drop through food - calling it a tremendous kitchen tool they genuinely love using.
Care Instructions: The AS core is a reactive carbon steel that will patina along the exposed edge with use. Wipe and dry the blade after each use. Avoid leaving acidic foods on the edge. Hand wash only. Apply camellia oil for long-term storage.
The AS core is a carbon steel and will patina with use, but maintenance stays simple thanks to the stainless steel cladding protecting the rest of the blade. The taper from heel to tip is gradual and well executed, allowing the blade to drop cleanly through whatever is on the board. Since these knives are made entirely by hand, dimensions vary slightly from one example to the next.
What Customers Are Saying: One reviewer calls it simply outstanding, noting this was their second purchase of the knife after buying the first for a family member - high praise for a vendor that genuinely understands the craft. Another, relatively new to Japanese knives, added the CKTG finish sharpening service and reports the santoku chops and slices through vegetables and proteins like a dream, calling it a well-balanced, beautifully crafted tool that impressed them enough to order the matching petty as well. A third, who already owned the matching petty, specifically wanted the AS cladding again and describes the gradual taper as letting the blade simply drop through food - calling it a tremendous kitchen tool they genuinely love using.
Care Instructions: The AS core is a reactive carbon steel that will patina along the exposed edge with use. Wipe and dry the blade after each use. Avoid leaving acidic foods on the edge. Hand wash only. Apply camellia oil for long-term storage.
- Blacksmith: Yoshimi Kato
- Brand: Kanehiro Uchi Hamono
- Location: Takefu Village, Echizen, Japan
- Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
- Edge Steel: Aogami Super (AS)
- Cladding: Stainless Steel
- Finish: Nashiji (Pear Skin)
- HRC: 62
- Edge Grind: Even
- Weight: 5.0 oz (142 g)
- Blade Length: 170mm
- Total Length: 305mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 4mm
- Blade Height: 46mm
Reviews
6 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Kanehiro AS SanbtokuPosted By: RICHARD ADAMS - verified customer
7 people found this review helpful
Just and outstanding knife! This is my second purchase of this knife that I bought for my brother. It is hard with all the choices available on the net to finally find a vendor that gets it... and chefknivestogo gets it. Great job guys from education to the great products you carry.
7 people found this review helpful
Just and outstanding knife! This is my second purchase of this knife that I bought for my brother. It is hard with all the choices available on the net to finally find a vendor that gets it... and chefknivestogo gets it. Great job guys from education to the great products you carry.
Probably not good for cutting preteensPosted By: Daniel Estes - verified customer
12 people found this review helpful
In my review of this knife, my autocorrect turned the intended word "protein" into the word "preteen". For the record, I have yet to use this knife on any preteens, so any comment on this knife's ability to cut preteens would be baseless. Its ability to cut proteins, however, is superb.
12 people found this review helpful
In my review of this knife, my autocorrect turned the intended word "protein" into the word "preteen". For the record, I have yet to use this knife on any preteens, so any comment on this knife's ability to cut preteens would be baseless. Its ability to cut proteins, however, is superb.
Awesome knifePosted By: Daniel Estes - verified customer
8 people found this review helpful
I'm a home cook and relatively new to Japanese knives, so my review might be worthless. That said, even a novice like me can tell an awesome knife when I use it. I bought CKTG's sharpening service with this knife, so the thing is razor sharp. I have tested this knife on a variety of vegetables and preteens, and it chops and slices like a dream. I can't put into words how good most prep feels with this well-balanced, beautifully-crafted work of art. I deboned some chicken thighs with it, too, which was not what this knife is designed for, and I'll never do it again (it's sharp, but the totally wrong tool for that job -- I just wanted to play with my new knife). Anyway, I was so impressed, that I bought the matching petty, too (which came in the mail today - yay!!). I very highly recommend this knife!
8 people found this review helpful
I'm a home cook and relatively new to Japanese knives, so my review might be worthless. That said, even a novice like me can tell an awesome knife when I use it. I bought CKTG's sharpening service with this knife, so the thing is razor sharp. I have tested this knife on a variety of vegetables and preteens, and it chops and slices like a dream. I can't put into words how good most prep feels with this well-balanced, beautifully-crafted work of art. I deboned some chicken thighs with it, too, which was not what this knife is designed for, and I'll never do it again (it's sharp, but the totally wrong tool for that job -- I just wanted to play with my new knife). Anyway, I was so impressed, that I bought the matching petty, too (which came in the mail today - yay!!). I very highly recommend this knife!
This knife is really a prize!Posted By: Richard Adams - verified customer
7 people found this review helpful
I am a bit new to Japanese knives. I have Kanehiro's petty knife and I like it a lot so when it came time to get another knife the cladding is very desirable to me. The taper from the blade upward is gradual so that when it is used it just drops through the food. This knife is a tremendous kitchen tool and I love it!
7 people found this review helpful
I am a bit new to Japanese knives. I have Kanehiro's petty knife and I like it a lot so when it came time to get another knife the cladding is very desirable to me. The taper from the blade upward is gradual so that when it is used it just drops through the food. This knife is a tremendous kitchen tool and I love it!
Great santoku! Product ReviewPosted By: Kulin - verified customer
7 people found this review helpful
This is a wonderful knife. The edge is perfect out of the box. The fit and finish is very nice as well. The knife is a feather weight, weighing only 120g. The edge where the aogami shows looks great once it starts to color. If you are looking for something comparable to the Hiromoto aogami core cladded knives, these knives are the way to go.
7 people found this review helpful
This is a wonderful knife. The edge is perfect out of the box. The fit and finish is very nice as well. The knife is a feather weight, weighing only 120g. The edge where the aogami shows looks great once it starts to color. If you are looking for something comparable to the Hiromoto aogami core cladded knives, these knives are the way to go.
