The Masakage Kumo line of kitchen knives is constructed with a core steel of VG-10. This is a very popular stainless steel that has great edge-taking and -holding characteristics. The name is derived from the Japanese V-Kin 10 branding. Kin is Gold in Japanese and thus you get VG-10.
VG-10 is a stainless steel with a particularly high carbon content of 1%. It also contains 15% Chromium, 1% Molybdenum, 0.2% Vanadium, 1.5% Cobalt, and 0.5% Manganese. The steel was first created by the Takefu Special Steel Company.
Ikeda san clads the core steel with multiple layers of a softer stainless steel. The cladding is heavily etched to reveal the stunning damascus style blade road with a pattern that resembles storm clouds.
Santoku knives are gaining popularity in the west as a replacement or alternative to a chef knife. It has a tall blade that has a distinctive sheep foot front end. This design draws the spine of the blade down towards the tip resulting in a flatter profile than a chef or gyuto-type knife possesses. This makes it a really good choice for those who like to push cut rather than using a rocking motion.
Edge bevel is 50/50, so the Masakage Kumo santoku is suitable for a right- or left-handed user. The handle is octagonal rosewood with a pakka wood ferrule.Brand: Masakage
Line: Kumo
Blacksmith: Ikeda San
Construction: San Mai
Edge Steel: VG-10
Cladding: Stainless Damascus
HRC: 61-62
Region: Echizen, Japan
Engraving: Hand Engraved
Handle: Rosewood Octagonal
Ferrule: Black Pakkawood
Weight: 4.5 oz (128 g)
Edge Length: 170 mm
Total Length: 310 mm
Spine Thickness at Base: 3.9 mm
Blade Height: 44.7 mm
VG-10 is a stainless steel with a particularly high carbon content of 1%. It also contains 15% Chromium, 1% Molybdenum, 0.2% Vanadium, 1.5% Cobalt, and 0.5% Manganese. The steel was first created by the Takefu Special Steel Company.
Ikeda san clads the core steel with multiple layers of a softer stainless steel. The cladding is heavily etched to reveal the stunning damascus style blade road with a pattern that resembles storm clouds.
Santoku knives are gaining popularity in the west as a replacement or alternative to a chef knife. It has a tall blade that has a distinctive sheep foot front end. This design draws the spine of the blade down towards the tip resulting in a flatter profile than a chef or gyuto-type knife possesses. This makes it a really good choice for those who like to push cut rather than using a rocking motion.
Edge bevel is 50/50, so the Masakage Kumo santoku is suitable for a right- or left-handed user. The handle is octagonal rosewood with a pakka wood ferrule.
Reviews
3 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Beautiful, well-made knife!Posted By: Jim S.
3 people found this review helpful
This is a beautiful knife with really excellent craftmanship. The Damascus cladding is beautifully etched and gives the knife a really distinctive look. I got the finish sharpening service and this baby is really sharp! (Probably not as as sharp as my Masakage Shimo Gyuto, but that thing is insanely sharp!) I was able to cut ripe tomatoes into paper-thin slices. The knife feels extremely comfortable in my hand; I have largish hands, and with a pinch grip, this Santoku is really comfortable to hold. To me, the balance feels pretty neutral, which gives a feeling of great control over where the blade is going. I agonized when picking out this knife, as there were a couple of other strong contenders, but I am very happy with my choice.
I look forward to using this knife for many years! As always, the buying experience at Chefknivestogo was smooth and without problem. Highly recommended knife and highly recommended vendor!
3 people found this review helpful
This is a beautiful knife with really excellent craftmanship. The Damascus cladding is beautifully etched and gives the knife a really distinctive look. I got the finish sharpening service and this baby is really sharp! (Probably not as as sharp as my Masakage Shimo Gyuto, but that thing is insanely sharp!) I was able to cut ripe tomatoes into paper-thin slices. The knife feels extremely comfortable in my hand; I have largish hands, and with a pinch grip, this Santoku is really comfortable to hold. To me, the balance feels pretty neutral, which gives a feeling of great control over where the blade is going. I agonized when picking out this knife, as there were a couple of other strong contenders, but I am very happy with my choice.
I look forward to using this knife for many years! As always, the buying experience at Chefknivestogo was smooth and without problem. Highly recommended knife and highly recommended vendor!
Great knifePosted By: Ted V
3 people found this review helpful
I had had my eye on this knife for more than a year when I decided to give it to myself for my 70th Birthday! I have had it for a couple of weeks, too short to evaluate its "performance", however I look forward to using it like the fine tool that it is, as an art object in my hands! I can assure you that I will never be able to recreated the out-of-the-box sharpness though I am quite experienced and have the right skills and stones. I am quite good at sharpening however this is the first knife I have owned where the sharpener shares "billing" on the blade markings with the blacksmith! I look forward to many years with this knife in my and my wife's hands! I will report later on performance, however I expect it to be right beside this knife's beauty and utility! Thank you for this peak culinary tool! Art in my hands!
3 people found this review helpful
I had had my eye on this knife for more than a year when I decided to give it to myself for my 70th Birthday! I have had it for a couple of weeks, too short to evaluate its "performance", however I look forward to using it like the fine tool that it is, as an art object in my hands! I can assure you that I will never be able to recreated the out-of-the-box sharpness though I am quite experienced and have the right skills and stones. I am quite good at sharpening however this is the first knife I have owned where the sharpener shares "billing" on the blade markings with the blacksmith! I look forward to many years with this knife in my and my wife's hands! I will report later on performance, however I expect it to be right beside this knife's beauty and utility! Thank you for this peak culinary tool! Art in my hands!
