Santoku means three virtues - the ability to handle meat, fish, and vegetables with equal facility. At 183mm and 52mm blade height the Saji Rainbow Damascus wa santoku is one of the taller santoku formats in the CKTG catalog, which gives it a combination of board presence and versatility that suits cooks who want a single all-purpose knife capable of handling serious prep. The thin grind behind the edge translates to cutting efficiency that goes well beyond what the visual spectacle of the blade might suggest - this is a knife that performs as well as it looks.
The Rainbow Damascus construction builds around a Hitachi Blue #2 (Aogami #2) carbon steel core, hammer-forged in san mai style with alternating stainless steel, brass, and copper cladding. The combination of those metals produces the multi-colored pattern across the blade road - a surface that shifts in different lighting and develops further character with use. Takeshi Saji has been forging blades in Takefu City, Echizen for three generations, holding the title of certified Traditional Masters Craftsman. The rosewood octagonal handle is well-finished, comfortable for extended use, and appropriate to the Japanese wa format. Comes in a wooden box.
Care Instructions: The Blue #2 core is reactive carbon steel and will develop a patina naturally with use. Wipe and dry immediately after each use. Avoid acidic foods on the edge. Hand wash only. Apply camellia oil for long-term storage. The stainless cladding is low maintenance.
The Rainbow Damascus construction builds around a Hitachi Blue #2 (Aogami #2) carbon steel core, hammer-forged in san mai style with alternating stainless steel, brass, and copper cladding. The combination of those metals produces the multi-colored pattern across the blade road - a surface that shifts in different lighting and develops further character with use. Takeshi Saji has been forging blades in Takefu City, Echizen for three generations, holding the title of certified Traditional Masters Craftsman. The rosewood octagonal handle is well-finished, comfortable for extended use, and appropriate to the Japanese wa format. Comes in a wooden box.
Care Instructions: The Blue #2 core is reactive carbon steel and will develop a patina naturally with use. Wipe and dry immediately after each use. Avoid acidic foods on the edge. Hand wash only. Apply camellia oil for long-term storage. The stainless cladding is low maintenance.
- Blacksmith: Takeshi Saji
- Location: Takefu City, Echizen, Japan
- Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
- Edge Steel: Blue #2 (Aogami #2)
- Cladding: Hammer Rainbow Damascus (Stainless, Brass, Copper)
- HRC: 62-63
- Edge Grind: Even (50/50)
- Handle: Rosewood Octagonal
- Weight: 5.0 oz (144 g)
- Blade Length: 183mm
- Total Length: 323mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 2mm
- Blade Height: 52mm
- Storage: Wooden Box Included
