Kohetsu HAP40 Western Santoku 180mm

No other steel on the CKTG site matches HAP40 for edge retention. Hitachi developed this powdered high-speed semi-stainless alloy for precision tool manufacturing, and kitchen knives made from it hold their edge three to five times longer than traditional steels. For professional cooks who sharpen on a schedule rather than a feeling, HAP40 changes the math entirely. The Kohetsu HAP40 Western line is made exclusively for CKTG by the Tsukahara family in Seki City, Japan, in a full tang western handle with mahogany grip, stainless bolster, and three rivets - the format that feels natural from the first use and stays comfortable through a long service.

The santoku ("three virtues" in Japanese, for slicing, dicing, and mincing) is the all-purpose kitchen knife for cooks who prefer a shorter, more compact blade. The western handle suits cooks who want Japanese steel performance in a format they already know how to use. The thin grind lets the blade pass through food with minimal resistance, and the 60/40 asymmetric edge works equally well for right- and left-handed cooks. Stainless san-mai cladding over the HAP40 core keeps daily maintenance simple. The mahogany western handle with stainless bolster and three rivets is well executed - full tang construction, comfortable across grip styles, and finished to a professional standard. CKTG is the only source for the Kohetsu HAP40 line.

What Customers Are Saying: Reviewers praise cutting through produce out of the box without touching a stone and finding the edge still performing weeks later. The lightweight western handle and HAP40 steel combination is described as elegant and simple - the steel does the work without the expensive markup.

Care Instructions: HAP40 is a semi-stainless steel - hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher. Use wood or rubber cutting boards only and avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard materials that could chip the edge at 65-66 HRC. Sharpen on quality water stones; HAP40 sharpens more readily than most powdered steels but rewards a consistent angle and light pressure. Strop regularly between sharpenings to maintain peak performance. The extraordinary edge retention means sharpening sessions are less frequent than with any other steel in the Kohetsu lineup.

Brand: Kohetsu

CKTG Exclusive - Available Only at CKTG

Blacksmith: Tsukahara Family

Location: Seki City, Japan

Construction: Laser Cut, San Mai

Edge Steel: HAP40 Semi Stainless (Powdered High Speed Steel)

Cladding: Stainless Steel

HRC: 65-66

Edge Grind: 60/40 Asymmetric Double Bevel

Engraving: Acid Etched Kanji

Handle: Mahogany Western - Full Tang

Bolster: Stainless Steel

Rivets: 3 Stainless

Weight: 6.1 oz (172 g)

Blade Length: 178 mm

Total Length: 300 mm

Spine Thickness at Base: 2 mm

Blade Height: 47 mm