Matsubara HAP40 Santoku 170mm is made by blacksmith Katsuto Tanaka who works from his famed shop in Omura City, Nagasaki Prefecture.
HAP40 is considered a top-shelf steel that is semi-stainless and holds an edge incredibly well. The core steel is covered in san-mai style with soft stainless steel. The cladding adds strength, reduces mass, and makes maintenance a lot easier.
This great-looking santoku has a rather flat section at the heel end and then transitions into a nice curved belly about halfway along the edge.
Brand: Matsubara
Location: Nagasaki
Blacksmith: Tanaka-San
Steel: HAP40
Cladding: Stainless
Finish: Migaki
Knife Type: Santoku
HRC: 65-66
Handle: Rosewood Western
Edge Grind: Even
Weight: 4.4oz / 126g
Blade Length: 171mm
Spine Thickness at Heel: 1.8mm
Blade Height at Heel: 47mm
HAP40 is considered a top-shelf steel that is semi-stainless and holds an edge incredibly well. The core steel is covered in san-mai style with soft stainless steel. The cladding adds strength, reduces mass, and makes maintenance a lot easier.
This great-looking santoku has a rather flat section at the heel end and then transitions into a nice curved belly about halfway along the edge.