Two emails a month:
All But The Kitchen Sink
Everything we like: books, food, travel, music
From The Workshop
Knife knowledge, sharpening & what's happening here.
Join 3,000+ people who care about good tools and get 10% off your first order when you sign up.
Included with every knife
Free access to our online knife sharpening course.
Santoku – The Japanese All-Rounder
The santoku is designed to handle meat, fish and vegetables with ease. With a flatter edge profile and generous blade height, it naturally suits push cutting and straight up-and-down chopping, offering clean, efficient board contact. Compared to a gyuto, it feels more compact and controlled, making it a reliable, everyday all-rounder in both home and professional kitchens.
–––
Kurouchi – Blacksmith’s Finish
Kurouchi is the dark, textured finish left on the blade from the forging process. It gives the knife a rustic, traditional appearance while helping to reduce reactivity on the upper section of the blade. Over time, the finish will naturally wear and soften with use, developing its own character.
–––
Sakai Kikumori – Centuries of Sakai Knife Making
Sakai Kikumori
Sakai Kikumori is a long-established knife brand based in Sakai, Osaka — one of Japan’s most important centres of kitchen knife production. Drawing on the city’s long history of specialist forging, sharpening, and handle fitting, Sakai Kikumori offers a wide range of Japanese kitchen knives that balance traditional craft with practical everyday use.
–––
White #2 Steel – Pure Carbon Performance
White #2 is a traditional Japanese carbon steel known for its fine grain structure and ability to take a very keen edge. It sharpens easily on whetstones and responds well to regular maintenance, making it a strong choice for those who enjoy keeping their knives in good condition.
As with all carbon steels, the exposed edge will develop a patina over time and should be dried thoroughly after use.
–––
Why We Like It
This is a very nice range from Sakai Kikumori, the grind line is nice and high, the thick kurouchi finish gives it that dark, traditional look, while the simple santoku profile keeps things practical and easy to use. At 180mm, it’s a really usable size — enough blade for most prep without ever feeling cumbersome.
–––
Specification
Blade Shape: Santoku
Blade Length: 180mm
Blade Height:
Steel: White #2
Construction:
Cladding:
Finish: Kurouchi
Handle: Magnolia
Handle Type:
HRC:
Bevel:
Weight:
Overall Length:
–––
Care
Hand wash only. Dry thoroughly after use. As a carbon steel knife, it will develop a natural patina and can rust if left wet. Wipe during use, especially when working with acidic ingredients. 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.
