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Koutetsu Chromax K-Tip Santoku 165mm – Rosewood Handle
Koutetsu by Takayuki Shibata – Precision from Fukuyama
Koutetsu is one of the house brands of Takayuki Shibata, a highly respected sharpener and knife maker based in Fukuyama, Hiroshima. His knives are characterised by very thin grinds and precise geometry, with a clear focus on edge performance. In use, this translates to clean cutting with minimal wedging, particularly in dense ingredients.
Santoku – The Japanese All-Rounder
Santoku translates to “three virtues”, referring to its suitability for meat, fish, and vegetables. With a flatter edge profile and a relatively low tip, it naturally suits push cutting and straight up-and-down chopping. Typically shorter and slightly taller than a gyuto, it offers good board contact and control, making it well suited to a wide range of everyday kitchen tasks.
K-Tip (Kiritsuke-Style Tip)
This santoku features a kiritsuke-style “K-tip”, giving it a more angular, aggressive point. It excels in precise tip work — fine slicing, scoring, and detail tasks — while still maintaining the versatility of a standard santoku. A subtle change in profile that provides a finer, more precise tip without affecting general use — and it looks ace.
Chromax Steel – Semi-Stainless Performance
Chromax is a semi-stainless steel developed to bridge the gap between carbon and stainless. It takes a keen edge and holds it well, with enough toughness for regular use. It’s less reactive than traditional carbon steels but not fully stainless, so it may develop a light patina over time.
San Mai – Three-Layer Construction
Constructed using san mai, with a hard Chromax core steel clad in softer stainless steel. This structure helps protect the core, improves durability, and reduces reactivity along the blade faces.
Why We Like It
A thin, precise santoku with a more defined tip than usual. The geometry keeps cutting resistance low, while the Chromax steel makes it practical for daily use. A strong option if you want something that performs like a laser but doesn’t demand full carbon steel maintenance.
Specification
Blade Length: 165mm
Blade Height: ~48mm
Steel: Chromax (semi-stainless)
Construction: San Mai (stainless clad)
Finish: Migaki (polished)
Handle: Rosewood (yo handle)
Hardness: ~HRC 64
Bevel: Double bevel
Care
Hand wash only. Dry thoroughly after use. Avoid prolonged contact with acidic foods and do not leave wet. Use a wooden or soft plastic chopping board and sharpen on whetstones to maintain performance.
Age Verification
This is an age-restricted product. Your age will be verified at checkout, and again by the courier on delivery. Orders cannot be left in a safe place or with neighbours — someone over 18 will need to be present to receive it.
We ship Tuesday to Saturday using Royal Mail Tracked 24.
All knives ship via an age verified service in accordance with The Offensive Weapons Act 2019, which will mean the postie will need you to be in to receive the delivery & to check your ID if you look under 25.
The law also requires us to carry out a soft age check of the purchaser after checkout, this is done by an automated system that usually doesn't require your input, although we will need to contact you for proof of age if you fail, which can sometimes happen if you use a work address.
of Community Cutlery as a home for enthusiasts, for people who love the ritual of food preparation and who have realised the charm in doing it with quality tools, with items that are as pleasing on the eye as they are practical in the hand.
