Kotetsu Hamon 19C27 Santoku 180mm

19C27 is a Swedish stainless steel produced by Sandvik that occupies an interesting position in the knife world - stainless enough for low-maintenance use, but with enough carbon to take a keen edge and sharpen easily on water stones in a way that most conventional stainless steels cannot match. Kotetsu Hamono, formerly known as Minamoto Kotetsu Hamono, chose it as the core steel for this line, and the result is a knife that performs like a semi-stainless without the reactive care requirements of carbon steel. The hamon - the visible temper line that runs along the length of the blade - is a traditional feature of differentially hardened Japanese blades, and on this knife it serves as both a functional indicator of the heat treatment and one of the most visually striking details in the line.

This santoku is laser cut from san mai construction with a 19C27 stainless core clad in stainless steel on both sides, hardened to HRC 60-61 - a meaningful step up from most entry-level stainless steels. It excels as a true all-purpose kitchen knife - ideal for slicing proteins, chopping vegetables, and handling everyday prep with efficiency. The blade height provides good knuckle clearance, while the thin spine and moderate weight give the knife a nimble, balanced feel on the board. The western handle is fitted with black pakka wood scales that are durable, moisture-resistant, and cleanly finished. The combination of the hamon, the fit and finish, and the price point makes this one of the more visually compelling knives at CKTG in its category.

What Customers Are Saying: Professional cooks and home users alike describe this as a knife that looks as great as it performs. Customers also pointed out how light and nimble the knife feels, as well as how long the edge lasts through hours of use.

Care Instructions: 19C27 stainless steel is low maintenance and corrosion-resistant under normal kitchen conditions. Hand wash and dry after each use - avoid the dishwasher. Sharpen on quality water stones; the steel responds quickly and rewards good technique with an excellent edge. Strop regularly between sessions to maintain performance.

Maker: Kotetsu Hamono

Location: Seki City, Japan

Construction: Laser Cut, San Mai

Core Steel: 19C27 Stainless

Cladding: Stainless Steel

HRC: 60-61

Finish: Hamon

Edge Grind: Double Bevel

Handle: Western (Yo)

Scales: Black Pakka Wood

Weight: 5.0 oz (144 g)

Blade Length: 180 mm

Total Length: 305 mm

Spine Thickness at Heel: 2 mm

Blade Height: 46 mm