The santoku (three virtues) is Japan answer to the all-purpose chef knife - built for meat, fish, and vegetables with a shorter, flatter profile that suits a wide range of cooks and kitchen sizes. The TOJIRO SAKUYA version elevates the format with a visual identity unlike anything else in the Tojiro lineup: a jet-black Damascus blade body created through electrolytic coloring, contrasted against a bright polished crescent edge. Matsumura-san and his team build this at Tojiro facility in Sanjo City, and the execution is precise.
The core is VG10 stainless steel - well-regarded in Japanese knife manufacturing for its balance of edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance - clad in layered Damascus and given the electrolytic black treatment that defines the SAKUYA aesthetic. At 165mm with a dropped tip and flat-to-slightly-curved profile, this santoku is immediately approachable for home cooks and capable enough for professional close-quarters work. The visual contrast between the dark blade road and the polished edge makes this one of the most striking knives in the Tojiro range. The octagonal ebony handle ties the package together and is comfortable in a pinch grip for daily use.
Care Instructions: VG10 stainless is low maintenance and easy to live with. Hand wash and dry after use - avoid the dishwasher. Sharpen on quality water stones and strop regularly to maintain the edge. Avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard materials that can chip the edge at high hardness. Free shipping over $100.
The core is VG10 stainless steel - well-regarded in Japanese knife manufacturing for its balance of edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance - clad in layered Damascus and given the electrolytic black treatment that defines the SAKUYA aesthetic. At 165mm with a dropped tip and flat-to-slightly-curved profile, this santoku is immediately approachable for home cooks and capable enough for professional close-quarters work. The visual contrast between the dark blade road and the polished edge makes this one of the most striking knives in the Tojiro range. The octagonal ebony handle ties the package together and is comfortable in a pinch grip for daily use.
Care Instructions: VG10 stainless is low maintenance and easy to live with. Hand wash and dry after use - avoid the dishwasher. Sharpen on quality water stones and strop regularly to maintain the edge. Avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard materials that can chip the edge at high hardness. Free shipping over $100.
- Maker: Tojiro
- Location: Sanjo City, Niigata, Japan
- Construction: San Mai
- Edge Steel: VG10 Stainless
- Cladding: Damascus Stainless (Electrolytic Black Finish)
- Finish: Black Damascus
- Edge Grind: Even (50/50)
- Handle: Octagonal Ebony
- Blade Length: 165 mm
