MAKER:   Stamped on blade in Japanese characters (I don’t read Japanese).

PATTERN: Santoku

BLADE FINISH:   Black Kurouch finish to prevent rusting carbon steel blade

OAL:   12-1/4”

BLADE LENGTH:   6-1/2”

HANDLE:   Wood

SHEATH:   Comes with Edge Guard plastic blade cover

CONDITION:   Excellent

DAMAGE:   Does show signs of wear, but has been extremely well cared for by a professional chef.

BLADE WEAR:  Approx 15%

AGE:     Approx 30 years

LAST MSRP:   $80

MADE IN:   Japan

ADDITIONAL INFO:   This knife was one that belonged to a professional cook came into the cutlery store I managed about 1985. He said, “I am an institutional chef, but I hate using bad knives. I want to buy two outstanding knives and use them throughout my career.” Unfortunately for me the Shun line had yet to be introduced by Kershaw in my customer ended up ordering two very fine handmade, hand forged Japanese knives. This one is the Santoku, which is the general purpose Japanese cooks knife, used very much like we would use a chef knife. These knives have the Kurouch finish, which is applied to stop carbon steel from rusting much as bluing issues on guns.

Back to the story of my customer who purchased this in 1985; I was unable to order any knives that were to his liking with high enough quality steel so he ordered two knives that were hand forged in Japan and signed by the knife maker, in Japanese of course. You can see his signature in the pictures. I couldn’t sell him the knives but I was able to sell him some plastic covers that would protect the blades as he carried them to work each day in his knife case. About 2014 or 2015 I was at my table in the Oregon Knife Collectors Association show and a gentleman walked up to me and said, “I am interested in selling or trading these two knives. I purchased them about 30 years ago and have used them throughout my career as an institutional cook and now I am retired. I have no further use for these but I could use some pocket knives.” I said, “I recognize those knives, I’m the one that sold you the covers for them.” We had a good time reminiscing and I traded him some customized pocket knives for the two hand forged Japanese knives. I use these for a few years at home but since my wife has retired she’s doing most of the cooking and I don’t prepare much more than French toast or a peanut butter sandwich. These knives were meant to be used and they really are outstanding quality knives. When he purchased them circa 1985 he told me they were $80 each which is probably the equivalent of $200 plus today. These are priced to sell that $60 each. There will be a separate listing for the Nakiri.

*By Purchasing, The Buyer Confirms It Is Legal For Them Purchase And Own This Knife.

Item # 30360