Yoshito Saku Blue #2 Santoku 165mm

We recently found this small blacksmith shop based in Kumamoto that makes sickles, hoes, and other gardening and farming implements. They've been in business since 1923. Recently, they started Hocho production and this is the first knife they are producing for sale. This transition from farm tools to kitchen knives is a common one with many of our blacksmiths. We've been able to help support these multi generation businesses by encouraging them to diversify their product offerings as the farm tool business has declined over the past 40 years.

The Yoshito Saku Blue #2 Santoku is made with Blue Paper #2 steel and is clad with a soft iron. The kurouchi finish is very attractive and quite smooth. There is also some nice hand engraved kanji adorning the blade face.

This is typical santoku in terms of shape and dimensions. It has a long flat section to the edge which gently curves up to the sheep’s foot tip. This knife will please push cutters in particular but will also appeal to users who like to rock, too!

There is a very simple and basic look to this knife which we find very attractive. The octagonal hardwood handle furthers this aesthetic and provides a very comfortable and secure grip to the knife. It's finished with a beautiful Japanese lacquer called "urushi," made from the sap of a tree. Urushi is not coated on the handle but penetrates inside the handle, and this protects the wood from water and moisture. Mr. Fukishima and his son are one of only a select few shops in Japan that make their own handles for use on their knives and these are beautiful examples of their work.

Brand: Yoshito Saku

Blacksmith: Fukushima-san

Location: Kumamoto

Construction: San Mai Hammer Forged

Edge Steel: Aogami #2 (Blue #2)

HRC: 62

Edge Grind: Even

Handle: Urushi Oak Octagonal (New See Photos)

Weight: 5.1 oz (146 g)

Edge Length: 169 mm

Total Length: 315 mm

Spine Thickness at Base: 3.5 mm

Blade Height: 47.3 mm