A santoku is built around a tall blade with a distinctive sheep foot front end, drawing the spine down toward the tip for a flatter profile than a typical chef knife or gyuto, which makes this 170mm version from the Masakage Kumo line especially good for push cutting rather than rocking. The edge is ground 50/50, suiting right or left handed cooks equally well.
The core is VG-10 stainless steel, valued for its high carbon content and excellent edge taking and edge holding characteristics. Ikeda san clads the core with multiple layers of a softer stainless steel, heavily etched to reveal a Damascus style blade road with a pattern that resembles storm clouds, the inspiration for the Kumo name. The handle is octagonal rosewood with a black pakka wood ferrule.
What Customers Are Saying:Reviewers consistently praise the craftsmanship, the beautifully etched Damascus cladding, and how comfortable the knife feels in hand, with more than one owner describing the out of box sharpness as exceptional, especially after opting for the optional sharpening service. One buyer treated themself to this santoku as a milestone birthday gift, while another calls it a piece of art worth every dollar.
Care Instructions:VG-10 is a low maintenance stainless steel, so hand wash and dry the blade after use rather than running it through a dishwasher. Avoid cutting through bones or frozen foods, and sharpen on quality water stones when the edge needs attention.
The core is VG-10 stainless steel, valued for its high carbon content and excellent edge taking and edge holding characteristics. Ikeda san clads the core with multiple layers of a softer stainless steel, heavily etched to reveal a Damascus style blade road with a pattern that resembles storm clouds, the inspiration for the Kumo name. The handle is octagonal rosewood with a black pakka wood ferrule.
What Customers Are Saying:Reviewers consistently praise the craftsmanship, the beautifully etched Damascus cladding, and how comfortable the knife feels in hand, with more than one owner describing the out of box sharpness as exceptional, especially after opting for the optional sharpening service. One buyer treated themself to this santoku as a milestone birthday gift, while another calls it a piece of art worth every dollar.
Care Instructions:VG-10 is a low maintenance stainless steel, so hand wash and dry the blade after use rather than running it through a dishwasher. Avoid cutting through bones or frozen foods, and sharpen on quality water stones when the edge needs attention.
- Brand: Masakage
- Line: Kumo
- Blacksmith: Ikeda San
- Region: Echizen, Japan
- Construction: San Mai
- Edge Steel: VG-10
- Cladding: Stainless Damascus
- HRC: 61-62
- Engraving: Hand Engraved
- Handle: Rosewood Octagonal
- Ferrule: Black Pakka Wood
- Weight: 4.5 oz (128 g)
- Blade Length: 170 mm
- Total Length: 310 mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 4 mm
- Blade Height: 45 mm
Reviews
3 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Beautiful, well-made knife!Posted By: Jim S.
8 people found this review helpful
This is a beautiful knife with really excellent craftmanship. The Damascus cladding is beautifully etched and gives the knife a really distinctive look. I got the finish sharpening service and this baby is really sharp! (Probably not as as sharp as my Masakage Shimo Gyuto, but that thing is insanely sharp!) I was able to cut ripe tomatoes into paper-thin slices. The knife feels extremely comfortable in my hand; I have largish hands, and with a pinch grip, this Santoku is really comfortable to hold. To me, the balance feels pretty neutral, which gives a feeling of great control over where the blade is going. I agonized when picking out this knife, as there were a couple of other strong contenders, but I am very happy with my choice.
I look forward to using this knife for many years! As always, the buying experience at Chefknivestogo was smooth and without problem. Highly recommended knife and highly recommended vendor!
8 people found this review helpful
This is a beautiful knife with really excellent craftmanship. The Damascus cladding is beautifully etched and gives the knife a really distinctive look. I got the finish sharpening service and this baby is really sharp! (Probably not as as sharp as my Masakage Shimo Gyuto, but that thing is insanely sharp!) I was able to cut ripe tomatoes into paper-thin slices. The knife feels extremely comfortable in my hand; I have largish hands, and with a pinch grip, this Santoku is really comfortable to hold. To me, the balance feels pretty neutral, which gives a feeling of great control over where the blade is going. I agonized when picking out this knife, as there were a couple of other strong contenders, but I am very happy with my choice.
I look forward to using this knife for many years! As always, the buying experience at Chefknivestogo was smooth and without problem. Highly recommended knife and highly recommended vendor!
Great knifePosted By: Ted V
9 people found this review helpful
I had had my eye on this knife for more than a year when I decided to give it to myself for my 70th Birthday! I have had it for a couple of weeks, too short to evaluate its "performance", however I look forward to using it like the fine tool that it is, as an art object in my hands! I can assure you that I will never be able to recreated the out-of-the-box sharpness though I am quite experienced and have the right skills and stones. I am quite good at sharpening however this is the first knife I have owned where the sharpener shares "billing" on the blade markings with the blacksmith! I look forward to many years with this knife in my and my wife's hands! I will report later on performance, however I expect it to be right beside this knife's beauty and utility! Thank you for this peak culinary tool! Art in my hands!
9 people found this review helpful
I had had my eye on this knife for more than a year when I decided to give it to myself for my 70th Birthday! I have had it for a couple of weeks, too short to evaluate its "performance", however I look forward to using it like the fine tool that it is, as an art object in my hands! I can assure you that I will never be able to recreated the out-of-the-box sharpness though I am quite experienced and have the right skills and stones. I am quite good at sharpening however this is the first knife I have owned where the sharpener shares "billing" on the blade markings with the blacksmith! I look forward to many years with this knife in my and my wife's hands! I will report later on performance, however I expect it to be right beside this knife's beauty and utility! Thank you for this peak culinary tool! Art in my hands!
