Authentically Japanese in design, each knife features 101 layers of steel—50 layers clad on each side of the Cryodur-hardened SG2 microcarbide steel core—forming a delicate Damascus pattern with a Rockwell hardness of 63.

Each blade in our Birchwood collection is hand-honed using a traditional three-step honbazuke process. It’s sharpened twice on whetstones with custom grits, followed by mirror polishing on a leather wheel.

The genuine hamon edge—a visible line where flexible outer layers and incredibly hard core layer meet—is reminiscent of legendary Japanese swords. A hamon edge is a sign of superior craftsmanship.

The D-shape of the natural Masur birch handle creates a comfortable grip and ensures tireless cutting, even with frequent use. Handle features an intricate mosaic center pin, red detailing, and engraved endcap.

This elegant, efficient santoku knife works well with a forward and backward stroke or straight-down chop. The name translates roughly as “three uses”—it’s for slicing fish, cutting meat, and chopping vegetables. 7”"blade. Hand wash. Sharpen with Miyabi sharpening stones. Limited lifetime warranty. Made in Japan. Catalog, website and select stores. .