SLD is a semi-stainless tool steel from Hitachi - not a kitchen knife steel by origin, but one that has earned a devoted following among serious cooks for two reasons: it takes a very sharp edge and holds it remarkably well at 61-62 HRC, and it is far more stain resistant than traditional carbon steels despite sharpening like one. The stainless cladding wraps the SLD core and makes daily maintenance simple. Made in Sanjo City, Japan exclusively for CKTG - the same workshop that produces the Kohetsu Blue #2 Nashiji line.
The gyuto at 187mm is the most nimble chef knife in the SLD line - light at 4.4 oz, and with a profile that feels more like a long petty than a traditional gyuto in hand. Ideal for smaller kitchens, smaller hands, or cooks who want a fast, compact blade for daily prep without sacrificing the pointed tip of a gyuto. The even double-bevel grind works equally well for right- and left-handed cooks. Stainless cladding over the SLD core keeps daily maintenance simple. CKTG is the only source for the Kohetsu SLD line.
What Customers Are Saying: Five five-star reviews. One reviewer describes dropping the knife through sweet potatoes like they were not there - screaming sharp out of the box. An experienced sharpener who used the knife for over a year calls SLD a surprise steel - edge retention excellent, refreshes with a dozen strops on a dry 5k stone and holds paper-towel-slicing ability for a very long time. He bought two. The hammered finish draws praise for complementing the lattice aesthetic and providing a small amount of food release. Fit and finish is called very good throughout, including choil and spine relief.
Care Instructions: SLD is a semi-stainless tool steel - highly stain resistant under normal kitchen conditions. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher. The stainless cladding fully protects the flanks, and the SLD core resists discoloration well, but drying after use is still good practice. Sharpen on quality water stones - SLD at 61-62 HRC sharpens easily and responds well to stropping. Use wood or rubber cutting boards. Avoid bones and frozen foods.Brand: Kohetsu
CKTG Exclusive - Available Only at CKTG
Location: Sanjo City, Japan
Construction: San Mai
Edge Steel: SLD Semi-Stainless Tool Steel
Cladding: Stainless
HRC: 61-62
Finish: Stamped Lattice with Polish
Edge Grind: Even, Double Bevel
Handle: Walnut Octagonal
Ferrule: Black Pakka Wood
Weight: 4.4 oz (124 g)
Blade Length: 187 mm
Total Length: 327 mm
Spine Thickness at Heel: 4 mm
Blade Height: 45 mm
The gyuto at 187mm is the most nimble chef knife in the SLD line - light at 4.4 oz, and with a profile that feels more like a long petty than a traditional gyuto in hand. Ideal for smaller kitchens, smaller hands, or cooks who want a fast, compact blade for daily prep without sacrificing the pointed tip of a gyuto. The even double-bevel grind works equally well for right- and left-handed cooks. Stainless cladding over the SLD core keeps daily maintenance simple. CKTG is the only source for the Kohetsu SLD line.
What Customers Are Saying: Five five-star reviews. One reviewer describes dropping the knife through sweet potatoes like they were not there - screaming sharp out of the box. An experienced sharpener who used the knife for over a year calls SLD a surprise steel - edge retention excellent, refreshes with a dozen strops on a dry 5k stone and holds paper-towel-slicing ability for a very long time. He bought two. The hammered finish draws praise for complementing the lattice aesthetic and providing a small amount of food release. Fit and finish is called very good throughout, including choil and spine relief.
Care Instructions: SLD is a semi-stainless tool steel - highly stain resistant under normal kitchen conditions. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher. The stainless cladding fully protects the flanks, and the SLD core resists discoloration well, but drying after use is still good practice. Sharpen on quality water stones - SLD at 61-62 HRC sharpens easily and responds well to stropping. Use wood or rubber cutting boards. Avoid bones and frozen foods.
Reviews
5 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Unbelievable , July 14, 2025Posted By: Minyan Zhu
18 people found this review helpful
I could not believe how this knife drops through sweet potatoes like it wasn’t even there. I had to shake my head in disbelief. Of course it was screaming sharp out of box and the weight was on the lighter side. But the review about wedging is not true, it’s a true laser.
18 people found this review helpful
I could not believe how this knife drops through sweet potatoes like it wasn’t even there. I had to shake my head in disbelief. Of course it was screaming sharp out of box and the weight was on the lighter side. But the review about wedging is not true, it’s a true laser.
A Surprise Steel, January 10, 2025Posted By: trancher
20 people found this review helpful
This is a very good small gyuto on many fronts. The price is extremely reasonable for the package.
The hammered finish is very complementing to the overall unique look of the knife. It also does double duty having a small amount of food release characteristics helping to reduce food stiction.
Through soft product the blade performs very well, especially at the tip. With harder and larger ingredients I do find there is some wedging, but nothing that’s outside of what would be expected for a 180 gyuto with this geometry.
Fit and finish is overall very good with relief on both choil and spine. The handle is done well and installed correctly.
After over a year of use, the biggest surprise to me is the quality of this SLD steel. To be fair, this line of knives is my lone encounter with this metal, but the edge retention is excellent. Refreshing the edge has also been exceptionally easy. With about a dozen varying pressure leading and trailing strops on a dry Rika 5k stone, the knife has held paper towel slicing ability for a very loooong time. Color me impressed enough to have bought two. Thanks CKTG.
20 people found this review helpful
This is a very good small gyuto on many fronts. The price is extremely reasonable for the package.
The hammered finish is very complementing to the overall unique look of the knife. It also does double duty having a small amount of food release characteristics helping to reduce food stiction.
Through soft product the blade performs very well, especially at the tip. With harder and larger ingredients I do find there is some wedging, but nothing that’s outside of what would be expected for a 180 gyuto with this geometry.
Fit and finish is overall very good with relief on both choil and spine. The handle is done well and installed correctly.
After over a year of use, the biggest surprise to me is the quality of this SLD steel. To be fair, this line of knives is my lone encounter with this metal, but the edge retention is excellent. Refreshing the edge has also been exceptionally easy. With about a dozen varying pressure leading and trailing strops on a dry Rika 5k stone, the knife has held paper towel slicing ability for a very loooong time. Color me impressed enough to have bought two. Thanks CKTG.
Kohetsu SDL Gyuto 180 mm Knife Happy SO PLEASEDPosted By: John Bitting - verified customer
6 people found this review helpful
This is my 4th Kohetsu SLD knife. I love everyone one I have purchased. The series of SLD knives are wonderful for a homecook like myself . But this SLD 180 gyros is my favorite for sure. In a small kitchen like mine the Kohetsu SLD 180 is perfect. The profile of the blade is spot on plus the feel of the knife is amazing. The handles Mark is putting on these Kohetsus are super nice. Definitely my go to knife day in and day out. My wife even likes using it. A wonderful knife for a GREAT PRICE!!!
6 people found this review helpful
This is my 4th Kohetsu SLD knife. I love everyone one I have purchased. The series of SLD knives are wonderful for a homecook like myself . But this SLD 180 gyros is my favorite for sure. In a small kitchen like mine the Kohetsu SLD 180 is perfect. The profile of the blade is spot on plus the feel of the knife is amazing. The handles Mark is putting on these Kohetsus are super nice. Definitely my go to knife day in and day out. My wife even likes using it. A wonderful knife for a GREAT PRICE!!!
