Kohetsu 1K6 Bread Knife 240mm Maple

Bread culture has been quietly booming in Japan, and the knives being produced to meet that demand reflect the same commitment to quality and precision that defines Japanese kitchen cutlery. This Kohetsu 1K6 Wa Bread Knife is made by Tsukahara in Seki City — one of Japan most storied knife-making regions — and it brings a distinctly Japanese aesthetic to a format that most Western kitchens take for granted. When we were offered these we did not hesitate.

The blade is laser cut from 1K6 stainless steel — a high-carbon stainless alloy hardened to 60 HRC that holds a sharp serrated edge well and requires minimal maintenance. The mono steel construction keeps the blade clean, lightweight, and easy to control. At 228mm with a 38.2mm blade height it is a nimble, precise bread knife that handles crusty loaves, delicate pastries, and soft sandwich bread with equal confidence. The serrations cut cleanly without tearing or compressing the crumb. The maple octagonal handle with maple ferrule gives the knife a warm, refined wa character that makes it stand out on any knife roll or magnetic strip.

What Customers Are Saying:
Customers who have been searching for a wa-handled bread knife for years consistently describe this as exactly what they were looking for. It glides through thick hard-crust homemade loaves effortlessly, feels light and well balanced in hand, and arrives sharp enough to impress right out of the box. The maple octagonal handle earns particular praise for its quality and feel — several customers note it was important to them that their bread knife match the Japanese handle style of the rest of their collection. The 1K6 steel is a fun novelty for knife enthusiasts looking to add something a little different. One customer put it best — this knife left them always looking for bread to cut.

Care Instructions:
1K6 stainless steel is low maintenance and rust resistant. Hand wash and dry thoroughly after use. Avoid the dishwasher. Serrated edges can be touched up with a ceramic rod or tapered diamond rod if needed, though they hold their edge well under normal use.

• Brand: Kohetsu
• Maker: Tsukahara
• Location: Seki City, Japan
• Construction: Laser Cut, Mono Steel
• Steel: 1K6 Stainless Steel
• HRC: 60 +/-
• Edge Grind: Even
• Handle: Maple Octagonal
• Ferrule: Maple
• Weight: 5.1 oz (144 g)
• Blade Length: 228 mm
• Total Length: 384 mm
• Spine Thickness at Heel: 2.4 mm
• Blade Height: 38.2 mm