Tsunehisa AUS8 Santoku

Regular price £110.00
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Super looks, great out of the box sharpness and a well balanced santoku that's exceptional value for money.

First Impressions

When you first open the box, the first thing you'll notice is a similarity with some of the other Tsunehisa knives we stock, there's definitely some consistency once you take a closer look at the grind along the cutting edge of the AUS8 and this is a good thing. 

These are well finished and impressively sharp knives right out of the box.

Beauty

It's a great looking knife, Tsunehisa's hammer finish and the grind down to the cutting edge really have that visual appeal and practically, the hammered dimples aid food release so when paired with the full tang Western shaped pakka wood handle it's a great all round package.

In Hand

Obviously with the Western full tang handle the knife is a little heavier than its Japanese wa handled alternatives but it's still got a nice feel in hand and is well balanced light and easy to use.

Durability

Now with a knife at this price point, you do have to accept some degree of compromise to reach this price point and the compromise here is just that AUS8 at 60HRC understandably doesn't quite have the edge retention of harder and higher priced steels.

It means you will have to hone and sharpen a little more regularly to keep that edge super sharp but it's quick and easy to get an edge with AUS8 so it's hardly the end of the world having to spend a little extra time once in a while with your sharpening stone and honing rod.

This doesn't mean you're going to have to sharpen it every time you use it by the way - simply that in comparison, you will want to spend a little more time keeping up to maintenance than with higher priced knives.

Ease of Care

Just follow our normal care and storage instructions and learn more about carbon steel care.

Our Verdict

This is a knife with a lot of positives!

It looks fantastic, it's priced extremely well and would be a perfect choice for someone just starting to get into Japanese knives and it's got a great edge and fininsh quality. 

The only "downside" if we can even call it one, is simply that AUS8 doesn't retain an edge as well as knives in a higher price bracket made from higher standard steels but honestly it's hard to expect anything else. 

At this price point, Tsunehisa have made a very impressive knife that's a welcome addition to our site and one we'd happily recommend for a first time buyer or someone looking to add one to a collection.

Product details

  • Blade Length: 185mm (Measurement of the cutting edge)
  • Total Length: 305mm (Blade tip to handle end)
  • Blade Height: 44.8mm (Heel to spine)
  • Blade Thickness: 1.7mm (Spine width above the heel)
  • Total Weight: 167 grams
  • Core Steel: AUS8
  • Cladding Steel: Stainless
  • Hardness: 60 (HRC)
  • Handle Style: Western
  • Handle Material: Brown pakka wood
  • Left or Right handed: Either (Double Bevel)

Product SKU: TSU-0077

Our aim is to measure and photograph our products as accurately as possible but due to many items being handmade, finished or using natural materials, there can be minor variance in measurements and things such as blade or wood finishes can vary. We will always endeavour to provide the most accurate measurements, photos and descriptions of our products.

Some measurements such as HRC are provided by manufacturers and should therefore be used as a guide.

Protection & care for this knife

A santoku sized guard is a good option to protect this knife if you're not going to store it on a rack

Saya & Guards Knife Racks & Storage Sharpening & Blade Care

Meet the maker

Tsunehisa

Tsunehisa is a brand that supply knives from a range of blacksmiths and forges from around Japan including Sakai, Tosa and Seki and as such the range of knives available under the Tsunehisa name features a wide range of steels, styles and finishes but each one has a high level of quality and finish in common.

Helping you find the perfect knives & accessories

Cutting Edge Knives is a family run business established in 2011 and based in the picturesque town of Holmfirth, West Yorkshire. We love the history and craftsmanship that goes into making Japanese chef knives and accessories and the excitement and enjoyment you experience when using a truly sharp knife in the kitchen.

Over many years we've helped thousands of happy customers find their dream knife and look forward to helping you too.

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