The santoku, whose name means 'three virtues' (vegetables, meat, fish), is a versatile knife with a tall profile and rounded tip. This format favors push cuts over rocking, with a generous working surface and good knuckle clearance. Compact and easy to maneuver, it works equally well as a primary knife or a secondary workhorse.
The steel is V-Toku2, an alloy steel produced by Takefu Special Steel in Japan. Its composition includes carbon (approximately 1.05%), tungsten (approximately 1.25%), chromium (approximately 0.25%), and vanadium. Takefu indicates a hardness of 64 HRC or above, though the final hardness depends on the heat treatment applied by the maker. V-Toku2 is a reactive steel: the exposed edge can develop a patina over time and use. Sharpening on water stones is recommended to maintain the edge. The V-toku #2 core is covered with two stainless steel side panels to facilitate maintenance.
Care
Wipe the blade immediately after each use. Patina forming on the edge is normal. Never wash in a dishwasher. A light application of camellia oil is recommended for extended storage.