Kikuichi WG santoku 170 mm

The santoku is the Japanese all-rounder, and in the WG series it measures 170 mm. The blade is thin and light, keeping the knife agile for fine cutting work.

Blade construction

At the core sits stainless VG1 steel with a hardness of HRC 60, surrounded by soft stainless steel. Those three layers make the blade wafer-thin yet strong, and give the knife its distinctive look.

Because the core is stainless, the edge holds up well with proper use and maintenance stays minimal.

Western shape, Japanese origins

While the santoku is originally a Japanese model, this version has a Western finish with a mahogany handle. That makes it easy to get used to if you're coming from European knives.

How this knife is made

Four or more master craftsmen work on the same knife one after another, from the first hammer blow to the final sharpening. Each of them does one thing, and has been doing it for years.

When choosing steel, Kikuichi looks at strength, hardness and durability. For the santoku, that results in a stainless VG1 core that keeps the knife light and the edge sharp for a long time.

Specifications

• Model code: WGA17
• Knife type: santoku
• Blade length: 170 mm
• Blade type: WG
• Core steel: VG1
• Number of layers: 3
• Layers: soft stainless steel
• Hardness: HRC 60
• Bevel: double-sided
• Bevel angle ratio: 50:50
• Handle material: mahogany