Specifications
- Brand: Ishizuchi Knife Factory ()
- Style: Santoku
- Blade Steel Type: Blue #2 Steel clad with Soft Iron
- HRC: 61-64
- Handle Material: Octagonal Walnuts Wood
- Ferrule Material: Yellow Poplar (compressed wood)
- Bevel Angle Ratio: Double Bevel
- Blade Length: 165mm (6.5")
- Weight: 4.2 oz (119g)
- Cover: Not included
Precaution
- Tosa Hamono knives have a thicker spine compared to other Japanese knives, so regular Sayas may not fit.
- All Ishizuchi knives are Soft Iron Clad and may rust.
Blue #2 Steel
Each knife is meticulously finished by hand, resulting in subtle differences from one to another, a characteristic feature of Tosa’s "free forging" technique. We hope you enjoy the unique quality of each blade. This knife uses Blue Steel 2, which contains added chromium and tungsten, giving the blade both hardness and toughness, resulting in long-lasting sharpness. The outer layer of the blade is made from Soft Carbon Steel, making it easy to sharpen. The distal taper from the heel to the tip of the blade, combined with the solid construction, provides a good weight that creates a perfect balance in the hand.
However, because it’s entirely made of Carbon Steel, it’s important to thoroughly wipe and dry the blade after each use to prevent rust. While the patina that forms over time will give your knife a one-of-a-kind character, it can be removed with products like Sabitoru if you prefer to maintain a clean finish.
About Kurouchi
Ishizuchi knives are renowned for their authentic kuro-uchi style. Unlike black-dyed knives that use a special coating for an overall black appearance, Ishizuchi’s “Kuro-uchi” knives retain the natural oxide film formed during the quenching process. This gives them a rugged, robust look and a handcrafted feel, showcasing true craftsmanship and traditional techniques.
“Black Rust”
Black rust, or protective rust, forms an oxide film on the surface of iron, preventing further rusting and avoiding the crumbling associated with red rust.
Sharpening Tip from Ishizuchi
Ishizuchi recommends sharpening the dominant side more for kuro-uchi knives, with a 40/60 bevel angle ratio for right-handed users and a 60/40 bevel angle ratio for left-handed users. Disclaimer
Ishizuchi Knife Factory
In 1590, warlord Chosokabe Motochika unified Tosa, documenting 399 blacksmiths in the region. Known for its forest-rich environment, Tosa required durable, high-performance tools for forestry, leading to the establishment of specialized blacksmiths. Following this tradition, Kajihira Tomika founded the Ishizuchi Agricultural Tool Company in 1920. Over 100 years later, they continue to maintain the distinctive thick, reassuring spine of Tosa knives while achieving the sharpness expected of fine Japanese knives.
About Santoku Knife
Santoku in Japanese transliterates as "three virtues" so they are otherwise known as "three purposes" knives. A santoku is meant to fulfill three purposes: cutting meat, vegetables, and fish. Its diminutive size and unique shape have made it very popular at home not only in Japan but in the United States. More and more home cooks are finding its versatility appealing without committing to a larger or more specialized knife.
