The Santoku is a versatile, all-purpose knife that excels in precision cutting, making it a staple in both professional and home kitchens. The name “Santoku” translates to “three virtues,” referring to its ability to handle slicing, dicing, and chopping with ease. With its shorter, wider blade and a flat cutting edge, the Santoku is designed for a more up-and-down chopping motion, making it an excellent alternative to the Gyuto, especially for those who prefer a more compact knife.
Unlike a Gyuto, which has a pronounced curve for rocking cuts, the Santoku features a straighter edge, allowing for clean, precise cuts with minimal horizontal movement. The sheep’s foot tip provides extra control for delicate slicing, while the wide blade makes it easy to scoop up chopped ingredients. Many Santoku knives also feature a granton edge (hollow grooves), which helps reduce food from sticking to the blade, improving efficiency. With its balanced weight, sharp edge, and ergonomic design, the Santoku is an ideal choice for those who want a lightweight, efficient, and easy-to-handle knife for everyday kitchen tasks. Whether you’re chopping vegetables, slicing meat, or mincing herbs, the Santoku delivers precision and versatility in every cut.
The Yoshimi Kato SG2 Hyo series is a stunning expression of modern Japanese craftsmanship, combining exceptional performance with an elegant, refined finish. Forged from SG2 powdered stainless steel, the blade delivers outstanding edge retention, exceptional hardness, and superb corrosion resistance. The ultra-fine grain structure allows the knife to be sharpened to an incredibly keen edge while maintaining long lasting cutting performance. The distinctive Hyo finish gives the blade a striking, frosted appearance that reflects light beautifully, creating a sophisticated aesthetic that complements its precision cutting ability.
The knife is paired with a beautifully crafted ebony and wenge octagonal wa-handle, offering the perfect balance of durability, comfort, and control. The dense hardwood construction provides a reassuring weight and a luxurious feel in the hand, while the traditional octagonal profile ensures a secure grip for both left and right-handed users. Every detail reflects Yoshimi Kato’s dedication to quality, resulting in a knife that blends advanced metallurgy with timeless Japanese design. The SG2 Hyo Ebony Wenge series is built for those who appreciate uncompromising performance, refined craftsmanship, and exceptional attention to detail.
Weight: 151g
Handle Material: Octagonal wenge with white O ring
Handle Length: 130mm (5.1")
Blade Length: 170mm (6.6")
Blade Depth: 47mm
Thickness at spine: 1.6mm
Thickness at tip: 0.3mm
Cutting Edge: Double 50/50
Blade Material: SG2/R2 High speed powder stainless steel with stainless steel cladding
Hardness (Rockwell scale): 62 - 63
