Occupying a sweet spot between a gyuto and a large petty, the santoku justifiably earns its reputation as a great all-around knife. It fulfills the primary knife role in many kitchens. It also deserves its name. Santoku, meaning "three virtues" in Japanese, is an all-purpose knife with a taller blade profile than a gyuto. Its three virtues are the knife's ability to cut fish, meat, and vegetables. Santokus have flatter bellies than gyutos and are ideal for push-cutting or chopping. The profile makes them easy to sharpen, too.
HAP40 steel is at the top of our knife steel list. Hitachi Metals manufactures this excellent alloy. It is a fine-grained alloy that can take a screaming sharp edge and be sharpened with relative ease. The inner core is further strengthened and protected by fully stainless outer cladding.
We are very fortunate to be able to offer these exclusively made knives to you. They represent a merging of traditional (methods) with modern (materials) and would make a great addition to your kitchen knife roll or block.Brand: Kohetsu
Maker: Tsukahara san
Location: Seki City, Japan
Edge Steel: HAP40
HRC: 65-66
Edge Grind: 60/40
Handle: Charcoal Grey Pakka Octagonal
Weight: 5.2 oz (148 g)
Edge Length: 182 mm
Total Length: 331 mm
Spine Thickness at Base: 2 mm
Blade Height: 48 mm
Photos By Gustavo Bermudez
HAP40 steel is at the top of our knife steel list. Hitachi Metals manufactures this excellent alloy. It is a fine-grained alloy that can take a screaming sharp edge and be sharpened with relative ease. The inner core is further strengthened and protected by fully stainless outer cladding.
We are very fortunate to be able to offer these exclusively made knives to you. They represent a merging of traditional (methods) with modern (materials) and would make a great addition to your kitchen knife roll or block.
Reviews
6 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Another great knife from Kohetsu, March 6, 2025
Good value for a hap40Posted By: Kalvin
13 people found this review helpful
Almost good as my konosuke 180mm hd2 petty, the edge was poorly grind and uneven from tip to heel. The wide edge was not full polished, still scratches from the sharpener. The stamped side had two different angles for the edge. Knife is not fully straight, curves slightly to the left and the tip curves slightly to the right. But after sharpening it, works as well as my other 180mm petty. The handle is a little smaller than my other petty s well. I enjoy using this knife but, wish it was slightly more refined. (Sushi chef)
13 people found this review helpful
Almost good as my konosuke 180mm hd2 petty, the edge was poorly grind and uneven from tip to heel. The wide edge was not full polished, still scratches from the sharpener. The stamped side had two different angles for the edge. Knife is not fully straight, curves slightly to the left and the tip curves slightly to the right. But after sharpening it, works as well as my other 180mm petty. The handle is a little smaller than my other petty s well. I enjoy using this knife but, wish it was slightly more refined. (Sushi chef)
Great knife at a great pricePosted By: Alex Barham - verified customer
6 people found this review helpful
Bought this santoku for my wife to use on the line at our restaurant. She was looking for something that could hold an edge well, feel nimble, while still being capable of fairly large scale prep tasks. This knife has faired exceptionally well on every task that's been thrown at it. Vegetable prep, herbs, mincing, slicing fish for crudo, you name it. The knife itself feels solid, polished, and sexy. Cladding has held up great to acidity making for easy upkeep. All in all, a great performer for a great price.
6 people found this review helpful
Bought this santoku for my wife to use on the line at our restaurant. She was looking for something that could hold an edge well, feel nimble, while still being capable of fairly large scale prep tasks. This knife has faired exceptionally well on every task that's been thrown at it. Vegetable prep, herbs, mincing, slicing fish for crudo, you name it. The knife itself feels solid, polished, and sexy. Cladding has held up great to acidity making for easy upkeep. All in all, a great performer for a great price.
Second Look at the SantukoPosted By: Edward Roth - verified customer
5 people found this review helpful
It has been a few weeks now that I have had this jewel in collection. This knife gets crazy, wicked sharp on a 6000 King stone...and it doesn't take much! Edge retention is great though not as miraculous as the voodoo label might instill. The Santoku, at 180mm has me a believer, at first I thought it would be too long but it is just about perfect. The profile is such that I can do just about everything...slice, dice, chop on veggie, meat and fish. A true all purpose knife. It is light, fits my hand well for both full grip or pinch. This Santoku also has a nice profile for rocking, push-pull slice or chopping. Thank-you Mark and Sue for a great line-up, web-site a wonderful selection of knives. The only downside is the amount of out-of-stock items and the wait to replenish them.
5 people found this review helpful
It has been a few weeks now that I have had this jewel in collection. This knife gets crazy, wicked sharp on a 6000 King stone...and it doesn't take much! Edge retention is great though not as miraculous as the voodoo label might instill. The Santoku, at 180mm has me a believer, at first I thought it would be too long but it is just about perfect. The profile is such that I can do just about everything...slice, dice, chop on veggie, meat and fish. A true all purpose knife. It is light, fits my hand well for both full grip or pinch. This Santoku also has a nice profile for rocking, push-pull slice or chopping. Thank-you Mark and Sue for a great line-up, web-site a wonderful selection of knives. The only downside is the amount of out-of-stock items and the wait to replenish them.
First ImpressionPosted By: Edward Roth - verified customer
7 people found this review helpful
I'm not sure why one review was not the greatest. Bear in mind this a first impression and i will review further as I grow to know this knife better. I bought this knife for the steel, and am very impressed. Out the box sharp has never been a criterion I have much truck with...that said I went through onions, celery and chiles like they hardly slowed it down. I haven't even touched the santoku to a stone. I can only imagine what a good sharpening will do. The fit/finish is, if not superb, quite good as this knife is about the steel and not over priced handworked hilts and handles. Personally I really like the look...elegant and simple. The knife is light and nimble if a santoku can be nimble and fits my hand just right, full grip or pinch. I think the Kohetsu HAP40 180mm Santoku is well worth the price of admission and a bargain at 180USD
7 people found this review helpful
I'm not sure why one review was not the greatest. Bear in mind this a first impression and i will review further as I grow to know this knife better. I bought this knife for the steel, and am very impressed. Out the box sharp has never been a criterion I have much truck with...that said I went through onions, celery and chiles like they hardly slowed it down. I haven't even touched the santoku to a stone. I can only imagine what a good sharpening will do. The fit/finish is, if not superb, quite good as this knife is about the steel and not over priced handworked hilts and handles. Personally I really like the look...elegant and simple. The knife is light and nimble if a santoku can be nimble and fits my hand just right, full grip or pinch. I think the Kohetsu HAP40 180mm Santoku is well worth the price of admission and a bargain at 180USD
SOLIDPosted By: benito - verified customer
12 people found this review helpful
Sharp, durable workhorse. It sticks a little, can be prone to microchipping if used aggressively; but gets really sharp and holds its edge well. I reach for this knife for long veg prep sessions, push/pull cuts. In terms of eccentricities: there is a very gentle rocker to the blade that gives it a faint whiff of versatility, but rocking this santoku on rubber boards just gets it stuck. other than that, it's not quite what the kids call a laser, but it does tick all the right boxes in what you want for edge geometry in a thinnish santoku. it's got a nice weight, balance. the handle is whatever. It's cool this knife low key tho. Or, Ugly is the new Beautiful (LOOKIN AT U TAKEDA SAN). This knife is total MF'n prep monster. You reach for her, when you have veg prep: lots of it. Feed her Shaptons, keep her happy.
12 people found this review helpful
Sharp, durable workhorse. It sticks a little, can be prone to microchipping if used aggressively; but gets really sharp and holds its edge well. I reach for this knife for long veg prep sessions, push/pull cuts. In terms of eccentricities: there is a very gentle rocker to the blade that gives it a faint whiff of versatility, but rocking this santoku on rubber boards just gets it stuck. other than that, it's not quite what the kids call a laser, but it does tick all the right boxes in what you want for edge geometry in a thinnish santoku. it's got a nice weight, balance. the handle is whatever. It's cool this knife low key tho. Or, Ugly is the new Beautiful (LOOKIN AT U TAKEDA SAN). This knife is total MF'n prep monster. You reach for her, when you have veg prep: lots of it. Feed her Shaptons, keep her happy.
