If you have spent any time researching Japanese kitchen knives you have encountered the Tojiro DP. It is one of the most consistently recommended entry points into serious Japanese cutlery - thin behind the edge, hard enough to get and hold a genuinely sharp edge, and priced so that the performance-to-cost ratio embarrasses most of the competition. The CLASSIC line is the DP line - completely unchanged, name only updated at the request of the manufacturer. TOJIRO has been making these in Sanjo City, Niigata since 1955.
The santoku - three virtues in Japanese, for slicing, dicing, and mincing - is the all-purpose kitchen knife for cooks who prefer a shorter, compact blade over a gyuto. At 170mm blade length, 46mm height, and 6.8 oz the CLASSIC santoku is a well-proportioned all-purpose knife that handles the full range of daily prep with ease. Jia Qi has used this as her only professional knife for over five years - beat it to heck and it is still her trusty knife through it all. She sharpens it easily, keeps it wicked sharp, and calls it versatile across vegetables, meat, and everything in between. She finally ordered a larger knife for big tasks but calls this her number one.
What Customers Are Saying: Sixteen five-star reviews. Jia Qi is a food industry professional who has used this as her only knife for over five years - her assessment after that much use: sharpens easily, holds its edge, versatile across every task, and will always be her number one. Multiple reviewers describe it as their first Japanese knife and their permanent conversion from German brands. Professional and home cooks alike praise the length as the perfect all-purpose size - big enough for serious prep, compact enough for precise work. The VG10 edge holds through sustained professional use and comes back quickly on a ceramic rod.
Care Instructions: VG10 is a fully stainless steel - low maintenance and resistant to corrosion. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher for best longevity. Do not use on bones, frozen foods, or hard crusts. Sharpen on quality water stones and hone regularly with a ceramic rod to maintain peak performance.
The santoku - three virtues in Japanese, for slicing, dicing, and mincing - is the all-purpose kitchen knife for cooks who prefer a shorter, compact blade over a gyuto. At 170mm blade length, 46mm height, and 6.8 oz the CLASSIC santoku is a well-proportioned all-purpose knife that handles the full range of daily prep with ease. Jia Qi has used this as her only professional knife for over five years - beat it to heck and it is still her trusty knife through it all. She sharpens it easily, keeps it wicked sharp, and calls it versatile across vegetables, meat, and everything in between. She finally ordered a larger knife for big tasks but calls this her number one.
What Customers Are Saying: Sixteen five-star reviews. Jia Qi is a food industry professional who has used this as her only knife for over five years - her assessment after that much use: sharpens easily, holds its edge, versatile across every task, and will always be her number one. Multiple reviewers describe it as their first Japanese knife and their permanent conversion from German brands. Professional and home cooks alike praise the length as the perfect all-purpose size - big enough for serious prep, compact enough for precise work. The VG10 edge holds through sustained professional use and comes back quickly on a ceramic rod.
Care Instructions: VG10 is a fully stainless steel - low maintenance and resistant to corrosion. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher for best longevity. Do not use on bones, frozen foods, or hard crusts. Sharpen on quality water stones and hone regularly with a ceramic rod to maintain peak performance.
- Brand: TOJIRO
- Line: Classic (formerly DP)
- Location: Sanjo City, Niigata, Japan
- Construction: San Mai
- Steel: VG10 Stainless
- Cladding: 13 Chrome Stainless
- HRC: 60
- Edge Grind: Even Double Bevel
- Handle: Black Micarta - Full Tang
- Bolster: Stainless Steel
- Rivets: 3 Stainless
- Weight: 6.8 oz (193g)
- Blade Length: 170mm
- Total Length: 300mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 2mm
- Blade Height: 46mm
- Item Code: F-503
Reviews
16 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) WorkhorsePosted By: Jia Qi
24 people found this review helpful
This was my first knife I bought as a professional in the food industry. I've had it for over 5 years now as my only knife, beat it to heck, and it's still my trusty knife through it all. I've hesitated buying a new knife for years as this Santoku has served me incredibly well. Sharpens easily, and holds it's edge. I keep it wicked sharp, and it can do the job - and very well at that. It's versatile: veg, meat, etc. The length makes it a great option for all sorts of jobs, big and small. I love it to heck. I finally just ordered a larger knife for big huge tasks, but this will always be my #1 baby. I've got a soft spot for this knife.
24 people found this review helpful
This was my first knife I bought as a professional in the food industry. I've had it for over 5 years now as my only knife, beat it to heck, and it's still my trusty knife through it all. I've hesitated buying a new knife for years as this Santoku has served me incredibly well. Sharpens easily, and holds it's edge. I keep it wicked sharp, and it can do the job - and very well at that. It's versatile: veg, meat, etc. The length makes it a great option for all sorts of jobs, big and small. I love it to heck. I finally just ordered a larger knife for big huge tasks, but this will always be my #1 baby. I've got a soft spot for this knife.
Perfect Starter knifePosted By: Kemi Barleycorn - verified customer
37 people found this review helpful
I bought this knife for my girlfriend after experiencing cutting onions with their horribly dull knives and being brought to tears (by the onions or the knives I couldn't tell). I already have the Tojiro DP 240mm and loved it and this knife provides the same experience. Workably sharp out of the box and the perfect size for my girlfriend with the right profile for pretty much any job in the kitchen. I would recommend this knife to any one.
37 people found this review helpful
I bought this knife for my girlfriend after experiencing cutting onions with their horribly dull knives and being brought to tears (by the onions or the knives I couldn't tell). I already have the Tojiro DP 240mm and loved it and this knife provides the same experience. Workably sharp out of the box and the perfect size for my girlfriend with the right profile for pretty much any job in the kitchen. I would recommend this knife to any one.
Tojiro Santoku Love it! My work horse Excellent impressed Tojiro santoku TOJIRO DP 170mm SANTOKU Outstanding ValuePosted By: Steven - verified customer
35 people found this review helpful
Great value for a production knife. Excellent no-nonsense design with very good fit and finish, and hair-shaving sharp right out of the box. I bought this santoku to fill the spot between my Shun Elite 6 serrated utility and Shun Elite 8 chef's, primarily for fruit and vegetables. It does that quite nicely. Recommended knife and knife purveyor. Lickety-split shipping!
35 people found this review helpful
Great value for a production knife. Excellent no-nonsense design with very good fit and finish, and hair-shaving sharp right out of the box. I bought this santoku to fill the spot between my Shun Elite 6 serrated utility and Shun Elite 8 chef's, primarily for fruit and vegetables. It does that quite nicely. Recommended knife and knife purveyor. Lickety-split shipping!
Product Review Product Review
Product ReviewPosted By: Jeff G - verified customer
28 people found this review helpful
Bought this as a gift for my son's mother-in-law (Marija), who admired her daughter's Masamoto santoku, gifted by me a few years ago. The Tojiro was decent sharp out of the box, but I tuned it up to 8K with Shapton stone on Edge Pro, plus leather strop. Will report back when my good friend and great cook Marija tells me how the Tojiro performs.
28 people found this review helpful
Bought this as a gift for my son's mother-in-law (Marija), who admired her daughter's Masamoto santoku, gifted by me a few years ago. The Tojiro was decent sharp out of the box, but I tuned it up to 8K with Shapton stone on Edge Pro, plus leather strop. Will report back when my good friend and great cook Marija tells me how the Tojiro performs.
Product ReviewPosted By: Brian K - verified customer
32 people found this review helpful
Great knife! The gf bought me this knife to congratulate me on getting a new job. sharp as heck OTB, easy to re-sharpen, great feel in the hand. There is no better knife for the price. That's why this is my second knife from the DP line.
32 people found this review helpful
Great knife! The gf bought me this knife to congratulate me on getting a new job. sharp as heck OTB, easy to re-sharpen, great feel in the hand. There is no better knife for the price. That's why this is my second knife from the DP line.
Product ReviewPosted By: Blaine Mulligan - verified customer
38 people found this review helpful
Awesome knife at a great price! The blade is 9/10ths as good as much higher priced knives, but the fit and finish do reflect its lower price. Much better than a Henckels, for the same price. Quick shipping as well.
38 people found this review helpful
Awesome knife at a great price! The blade is 9/10ths as good as much higher priced knives, but the fit and finish do reflect its lower price. Much better than a Henckels, for the same price. Quick shipping as well.
