The honesuki is a Japanese boning knife. It differs from a Western boning knife in its triangular shape and the fact that it is stiff with very little flex. The honesuki works very well for deboning poultry and typically has an asymmetrical edge. While it is called a boning knife, it is not meant to cut through bones. Instead, it is intended to cut through the joints of the bird. Due to its shape and height, the honesuki can also double up nicely as a utility or petty style of knife.
Kohetsu makes these knives out of HAP40 semi-stainless steel which is forged to a very hard 65 Rockwell. In simple terms, it is an insanely hard steel. HAP40 is one of the hardest steels available for knife-making and it provides amazing edge retention. HAP40 polishes to a super sharp edge reasonably easily, especially considering its hardness. It holds that sharpness better than almost anything else we sell. It is a semi-stainless alloy that is then clad in a full stainless steel outer layer, so it's also easy to care for.
The blade features a gray pakkawoodle handle and a black pakkawood ferrule.Brand: Kohetsu
Maker: Tsukahara san
Location: Seki City
Edge Steel: HAP40
HRC: 65-66
Cladding: 404 Stainless Steel
Edge Grind: 60/40
Weight: 4.2 oz/ 120g
Blade Length: 152 mm
Overall Length: 296 mm
Spine Thickness at Heel: 2.1 mm
Blade Height at Heel: 38.8 mm
Photos By Gustavo Bermudez
Kohetsu makes these knives out of HAP40 semi-stainless steel which is forged to a very hard 65 Rockwell. In simple terms, it is an insanely hard steel. HAP40 is one of the hardest steels available for knife-making and it provides amazing edge retention. HAP40 polishes to a super sharp edge reasonably easily, especially considering its hardness. It holds that sharpness better than almost anything else we sell. It is a semi-stainless alloy that is then clad in a full stainless steel outer layer, so it's also easy to care for.
The blade features a gray pakkawoodle handle and a black pakkawood ferrule.
Reviews
9 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) All honesukis should be hap40 steel, December 4, 2023Posted By: KF
As a left hander, I tried a few left-handed honesukis that did not cut meat the way I was trained. So I looked for a 50/50 bevel and one with more durable steel than traditional aogami and shirogami. This HAP40 steel is quite amazing. Sharpens up rather quickly (use coarser stones to start, maybe a 500/1k/4k with strop) and stays sharp through 20 whole chickens. Cannot say enough about this steel.
As a left hander, I tried a few left-handed honesukis that did not cut meat the way I was trained. So I looked for a 50/50 bevel and one with more durable steel than traditional aogami and shirogami. This HAP40 steel is quite amazing. Sharpens up rather quickly (use coarser stones to start, maybe a 500/1k/4k with strop) and stays sharp through 20 whole chickens. Cannot say enough about this steel.
Superb Boning knifePosted By: Dave Pratt
3 people found this review helpful
When I split up the Christmas duck with a western boning knife I bought this amazing knife. This is a beautiful knife, with incredible power in the stiff pointed steel to get into poultry joints. After using this I tossed my western boning knives.The large wa handle is great when dealing with raw birds.
3 people found this review helpful
When I split up the Christmas duck with a western boning knife I bought this amazing knife. This is a beautiful knife, with incredible power in the stiff pointed steel to get into poultry joints. After using this I tossed my western boning knives.The large wa handle is great when dealing with raw birds.
Exceptional Knife Knife rating Excellent..AND Cladding is softPosted By: Matt Spencer
3 people found this review helpful
Cladding is too soft. Scratches thru pineapple. Rest of knife is awesome and yup gets wacky sharp esp w honing. I bees waxed the handle. Balance and lightness is awesome but its powerful enough and the shape is great for many things as cutting a curve becomes simple at the tip. The HAP40 line patinaned beautifully like a sword hamon. Thank you!
3 people found this review helpful
Cladding is too soft. Scratches thru pineapple. Rest of knife is awesome and yup gets wacky sharp esp w honing. I bees waxed the handle. Balance and lightness is awesome but its powerful enough and the shape is great for many things as cutting a curve becomes simple at the tip. The HAP40 line patinaned beautifully like a sword hamon. Thank you!
Another satisfied purchasePosted By: Andrew H Stevens
3 people found this review helpful
This makes 3rd knife bought from Mark, and by far the sharpest knives I've received. This is my first Hap-40 knife, and I plan on buying more. The balance feels great, the light weight feel is awesome. I couldn't be happier.
3 people found this review helpful
This makes 3rd knife bought from Mark, and by far the sharpest knives I've received. This is my first Hap-40 knife, and I plan on buying more. The balance feels great, the light weight feel is awesome. I couldn't be happier.
MrPosted By: Baruch Geva
2 people found this review helpful
Knife arrived in good shape. However, the handle is colored using some material that gave horrible chemical smell for couple of weeks. Had to wash again and again with soap to get it off. The blade is sharp, but not amazing. Also, after couple of washing and immediate rinse it stained (the core part). Could be better for the price
2 people found this review helpful
Knife arrived in good shape. However, the handle is colored using some material that gave horrible chemical smell for couple of weeks. Had to wash again and again with soap to get it off. The blade is sharp, but not amazing. Also, after couple of washing and immediate rinse it stained (the core part). Could be better for the price
Nice HonesukiPosted By: John D - verified customer
3 people found this review helpful
This is a great knife for its intended purpose (breaking down chicken) but it also makes a great little utility knife. Since it's HAP40 steel the edge retention should be amazing, and it has stayed razor sharp so far. I haven't tried to sharpen it yet, but the downside might be the difficulty in doing so. Still very interesting, my first PM knife.
3 people found this review helpful
This is a great knife for its intended purpose (breaking down chicken) but it also makes a great little utility knife. Since it's HAP40 steel the edge retention should be amazing, and it has stayed razor sharp so far. I haven't tried to sharpen it yet, but the downside might be the difficulty in doing so. Still very interesting, my first PM knife.
