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 sujihiki 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 slicing knife faces.
At 241mm blade length and 37mm height the geometry is long and narrow - purpose-built for the draw-cutting technique the sujihiki format is designed around. The 2mm spine runs thin throughout, tapering toward the tip for a distal taper that keeps the forward portion of the blade nimble during precision slicing. Spine and choil are polished smooth for comfort during extended use. The olive wood handle is warm and comfortable, and the purple-gold acrylic ferrule provides a striking accent - note that the manufacturing process for this ferrule uses both purple and gold tones, which results in a varying mixture of the two colors on each individual knife. 4.9 oz. 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 241mm blade length and 37mm height the geometry is long and narrow - purpose-built for the draw-cutting technique the sujihiki format is designed around. The 2mm spine runs thin throughout, tapering toward the tip for a distal taper that keeps the forward portion of the blade nimble during precision slicing. Spine and choil are polished smooth for comfort during extended use. The olive wood handle is warm and comfortable, and the purple-gold acrylic ferrule provides a striking accent - note that the manufacturing process for this ferrule uses both purple and gold tones, which results in a varying mixture of the two colors on each individual knife. 4.9 oz. 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
- Origin: Steel and Cladding Made in Japan / Final Manufacturing in China
- Weight: 4.9 oz (140 g)
- Blade Length: 241mm
- Total Length: 378mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 2mm
- Blade Height: 37mm
