The word santoku translates as "three virtues", which refers to the cutting of meat, fish and vegetables or the following three types of cutting: chopping, slicing and dicing. Very versatile, the santoku is one of the types of knives we recommend as the first or main knife in the kitchen.
Aogami literally translates to "blue steel", so "super blue steel" is the translation for Aogami Super. Manufactured by Hitachi Metals Ltd, this carbon steel grade has one of the highest hardness levels and is one of the most renowned in Japan. In addition to containing more carbon, chromium and tungsten than Aogami #1, it also contains molybdenum. The high carbon content allows for greater hardness, but on the other hand, reduces the corrosion resistance and makes the steel more brittle. Chromium and molybdenum counterbalance the effect of the high carbon content by improving corrosion resistance. Tungsten greatly increases the wear resistance of the steel, making it less brittle. The combination of all these characteristics makes Aogami Super a practically superior carbon steel compared to other steels in this category.
This Aogami Super Santoku 180mm is an excellent choice for cooks weighing whether a santoku or a gyuto better suits their kitchen style — its flat-to-slightly-curved profile excels at push-cuts and the up-and-down chopping motion most home cooks use naturally. The Kurouchi Santoku ebony handle pairing reinforces that precision: the reactive carbon steel develops a protective patina over time, while the dense ebony offers a balanced, refined grip.