The santoku - Japan's three virtues knife, named for its ability to handle meat, fish, and vegetables equally well - is the format that most home cooks reach for first, and the Seigaiha Santoku is one of the finest examples of what a western-handled santoku can be. Built by Aoki Hamono in Sakai, it brings the full Grand Chef Seigaiha package into a compact 180mm blade that is easy to maneuver, quick to reposition, and comfortable through extended prep sessions without the fatigue that can come from a longer knife.
The blade uses 45 layers of Damascus construction over a Bohler N685 stainless steel core - the same EU and Swedish steel that defines the entire Seigaiha line. N685 carries 0.9% carbon and over 17% chromium, hardened to HRC 60, which gives it strong corrosion resistance and genuine edge retention. The Vertical Thin Blade Spec grind that Aoki Hamono developed specifically for this line reduces cutting resistance noticeably, letting the knife move through food with less drag than the blade thickness would suggest. The Damascus wave pattern - inspired by the traditional Seigaiha motif representing eternity and calm - runs through all 45 layers and gives the blade a distinctive look that holds up under close inspection. Black pakka wood handle, stainless steel bolster, double bevel grind suitable for right- and left-handed cooks.
Care Instructions: Bohler N685 is a fully stainless steel - hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher. The polished Damascus surface shows water spots more readily than a matte finish, so a quick wipe after use keeps it looking its best. Sharpen on quality water stones and strop regularly. Avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard surfaces that could chip the edge at this hardness level.
The blade uses 45 layers of Damascus construction over a Bohler N685 stainless steel core - the same EU and Swedish steel that defines the entire Seigaiha line. N685 carries 0.9% carbon and over 17% chromium, hardened to HRC 60, which gives it strong corrosion resistance and genuine edge retention. The Vertical Thin Blade Spec grind that Aoki Hamono developed specifically for this line reduces cutting resistance noticeably, letting the knife move through food with less drag than the blade thickness would suggest. The Damascus wave pattern - inspired by the traditional Seigaiha motif representing eternity and calm - runs through all 45 layers and gives the blade a distinctive look that holds up under close inspection. Black pakka wood handle, stainless steel bolster, double bevel grind suitable for right- and left-handed cooks.
- Maker: Aoki Hamono
- Brand: Sakai Takayuki
- Line: Grand Chef Seigaiha
- Location: Sakai, Japan
- Construction: Damascus, 45 Layer
- Edge Steel: Bohler N685 Stainless
- Cladding: Stainless Damascus
- HRC: 60 +/- 1
- Edge Grind: Double Bevel
- Handle: Black Pakka Wood
- Bolster: Stainless Steel
- Weight: 6.3 oz (179 g)
- Blade Length: 180 mm
- Total Length: 328 mm
Care Instructions: Bohler N685 is a fully stainless steel - hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher. The polished Damascus surface shows water spots more readily than a matte finish, so a quick wipe after use keeps it looking its best. Sharpen on quality water stones and strop regularly. Avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard surfaces that could chip the edge at this hardness level.
