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Yamashin knives are made in the ancient city of Tosa. Tosa is located in central Kōchi Prefecture, and faces the Shikoku Mountain Range to the north and Pacific Ocean to the south. Many blacksmiths from this region make kurouchi knives and the area is especially known for this type of finish. They also use hammer forge techniques in making their knives.
We stock two lines of knives from Yamashin. Both are kurouchi finished but each use different core steels. This santoku is made from Blue #2, or Aogami 2, high carbon steel. The main difference between this and the White variety is in the added chromium and tungsten elements. This increases the toughness and edge retention of the blade but it does make sharpening a bit more difficult. This hard center is then clad san-mai style with a softer iron layer (or jigane). The outer layer is then blackened with an oxide film while it is being hardened, which produces the rustic finish known as kurouchi. These knives are set with a 50/50 even grind.
The santoku is a very versatile knife which is finding favor in more and more western homes and professional kitchens. Santoku translates as “three virtues” and the trio of cutting tasks this represents are slicing, dicing, and mincing. The knives are characterized by their sheep-foot-shaped blade and shorter length. It can best be described as a short chef knife or gyuto with a bit more height.Maker: Yamashin
Location: Tosa, Japan
Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
Core Edge Steel: Hitachi Blue #2
Cladding: Soft Iron
Finish: Kurouchi
Length: 168mm
Weight: 5.1oz
Height: 49mm
Grind: Double Bevel (See Choil Shot)
Handle: Red Sandalwood
Ferrule: Colored Pakka Wood
We stock two lines of knives from Yamashin. Both are kurouchi finished but each use different core steels. This santoku is made from Blue #2, or Aogami 2, high carbon steel. The main difference between this and the White variety is in the added chromium and tungsten elements. This increases the toughness and edge retention of the blade but it does make sharpening a bit more difficult. This hard center is then clad san-mai style with a softer iron layer (or jigane). The outer layer is then blackened with an oxide film while it is being hardened, which produces the rustic finish known as kurouchi. These knives are set with a 50/50 even grind.
The santoku is a very versatile knife which is finding favor in more and more western homes and professional kitchens. Santoku translates as “three virtues” and the trio of cutting tasks this represents are slicing, dicing, and mincing. The knives are characterized by their sheep-foot-shaped blade and shorter length. It can best be described as a short chef knife or gyuto with a bit more height.
Reviews
2 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Wonderful knife, January 3, 2023Posted By: John Baker
This is my first Japanese kitchen knife, so I cannot make any meaningful comparisons to other Japanese knives; but moving from a stainless Henckel Santoku to this was like stepping into a different world. I had no idea. This knife is rustic but beautiful. It feels good in the hand and gives a great sense of control when slicing and chopping, which are effortless. The handle is sealed against moisture around the tang, and the ferrule fits well with beautiful coloring. The edge out of the box was good, but after I sharpened it a bit more, it was scary and is holding its edge nicely. What an impressive knife for the price! Shipping from CKTG was fast and uneventful.
This is my first Japanese kitchen knife, so I cannot make any meaningful comparisons to other Japanese knives; but moving from a stainless Henckel Santoku to this was like stepping into a different world. I had no idea. This knife is rustic but beautiful. It feels good in the hand and gives a great sense of control when slicing and chopping, which are effortless. The handle is sealed against moisture around the tang, and the ferrule fits well with beautiful coloring. The edge out of the box was good, but after I sharpened it a bit more, it was scary and is holding its edge nicely. What an impressive knife for the price! Shipping from CKTG was fast and uneventful.
