SLD is a semi-stainless tool steel that occupies a useful middle ground in the Japanese kitchen knife market. It is harder and more wear-resistant than standard stainless steels, tougher than pure high-carbon steels, and easier to sharpen than many high-alloy powdered steels - a combination that produces strong edge retention without the brittleness or maintenance demands that come with more extreme options. Sentan builds this petty around that steel in a san mai construction, with stainless cladding that keeps the flanks protected and a nashiji (pear skin) finish on the blade road. At HRC 61, the SLD core takes a keen edge and holds it well through the sustained work that a petty faces in daily use.
At 150mm blade length this petty sits between the compact 120mm and the longer 180mm - long enough for comfortable board work through vegetables, herbs, and protein trim while remaining maneuverable enough for in-hand tasks. The 31mm blade height keeps the profile narrow and precise. The 2mm spine runs thin, and both spine and choil are polished smooth for comfort during extended use. The olive wood handle is warm and comfortable in hand, and the purple-gold acrylic ferrule adds a striking accent - note that the manufacturing process for this ferrule uses both purple and gold tones, resulting in a varying mixture of the two colors on each individual knife. Lightweight at 74g / 2.6oz. Steel and cladding are made in Japan; final manufacturing is in China.
Care Instructions: SLD is semi-stainless and may develop a light patina over time - this is normal and does not affect performance. Hand wash and dry immediately after use. Do not store wet or leave the knife in a saya while damp. Avoid hard or frozen foods. Use a wood or soft synthetic cutting board only.
At 150mm blade length this petty sits between the compact 120mm and the longer 180mm - long enough for comfortable board work through vegetables, herbs, and protein trim while remaining maneuverable enough for in-hand tasks. The 31mm blade height keeps the profile narrow and precise. The 2mm spine runs thin, and both spine and choil are polished smooth for comfort during extended use. The olive wood handle is warm and comfortable in hand, and the purple-gold acrylic ferrule adds a striking accent - note that the manufacturing process for this ferrule uses both purple and gold tones, resulting in a varying mixture of the two colors on each individual knife. Lightweight at 74g / 2.6oz. Steel and cladding are made in Japan; final manufacturing is in China.
Care Instructions: SLD is semi-stainless and may develop a light patina over time - this is normal and does not affect performance. Hand wash and dry immediately after use. Do not store wet or leave the knife in a saya while damp. Avoid hard or frozen foods. Use a wood or soft synthetic cutting board only.
- Brand: Sentan
- Construction: San Mai
- Edge Steel: SLD Semi-Stainless
- Cladding: Stainless Steel
- HRC: 61
- Finish: Nashiji (Pear Skin)
- Edge Grind: Even (50/50)
- Spine and Choil: Polished
- Handle: Olive Wood
- Ferrule: Purple-Gold Acrylic (color varies per knife)
- Origin: Steel and Cladding Made in Japan / Final Manufacturing in China
- Weight: 2.6 oz (74 g)
- Blade Length: 150mm
- Total Length: 268mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 2mm
- Blade Height: 31mm
