Nigara Hamono SG STRIX Damascus Santoku x Letshandlethis
Nigara Hamono SG STRIX Damascus Santoku x Letshandlethis
Nigara Hamono SG STRIX Damascus Santoku x Letshandlethis
Nigara Hamono SG STRIX Damascus Santoku x Letshandlethis
Nigara Hamono SG STRIX Damascus Santoku x Letshandlethis
Nigara Hamono SG STRIX Damascus Santoku x Letshandlethis
Nigara Hamono SG STRIX Damascus Santoku x Letshandlethis
Nigara Hamono SG STRIX Damascus Santoku x Letshandlethis
Nigara Hamono SG STRIX Damascus Santoku x Letshandlethis
Nigara Hamono SG STRIX Damascus Santoku x Letshandlethis
Nigara Hamono SG STRIX Damascus Santoku x Letshandlethis

Nigara Hamono SG STRIX Damascus Santoku x Letshandlethis

A tall and versatile santoku finished to a fantastic standard with an excellent thin edge that is a durable and high performance knife for a wide range of jobs.

This knife has been fitted with the stunning one-off custom handle shown in the product photos made for us by @letshandlethis.

🗝 This is an archive item. It's either so unique it's never coming back into stock, extremely difficult to source or discontinued.

If we able to source more of this knife, it will be restocked in the all knives collection and we will share details via our newsletter and Instagram.

Knife Measurements
  • Blade Edge Length: 168mm / 6.61" (Measurement of the cutting edge)
  • Total Knife Length: 312mm / 12.28" (Blade tip to handle end)
  • Blade Height: 51.4mm / 2.02" (Heel to spine)
  • Blade Thickness: 2.2mm / 0.09" (Spine width above the heel) 1.5mm / 0.06" (Measured 15mm from tip)
  • Total Weight: 137 grams / 4.83 oz

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 finishes.

Nigara Hamono - SG STRIX Damascus

Our in-depth range review

First Impressions

Across the range it's quite noticeable that the SG STRIX knives are a little taller than many comparable knives and all feature a relatively flat grind with a very thin edge and minimal taper.

Beauty

This is a great looking range of knives, the subtle double tsuchime marking on the cladding is a mix of crescent moon shapes and straighter line markings that look a little like rain. 

The damascus finish running horizontally along the polished edge is lovely and as a combination of visual styles works well. 

In Hand

The main thing we noted about the range across all the knives is that tend to be a little taller than a lot of other knives so for those who want that bit of extra height they're a great choice. 

Overall, with the flat grind, thin edge and construction they're light in hand and well balanced overall. 

Durability

SG STRIX is a relatively new core steel (introduced in late 2023) and it's been designed specifically to retain a lot of the positive features of the widely used SG2 steel but this steel is able to heat treated to a higher level of hardness increasing edge durability and retention. 

Ease of Care & Maintenance Tips

This is a stainless steel knife and for long term care we recommend a Japanese knife care kit. 

Despite the higher level of hardness of SG STRIX, it remains easy to sharpen and care for making it an ideal all rounder. 

Our Verdict

High performance and durability, great looks and easy to sharpen and with the bonus of a slightly taller than typical blade height on the knives this is a range of knives to enjoy and that will stand up to significant use between sharpenings. 

Meet the maker

Nigara Hamono

Nigara Hamono is a historic knife maker based in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, with roots that date back more than 350 years to the early Edo period. Originally established as a swordsmithing family serving the Tsugaru clan, Nigara has evolved through eight generations into one of Japan’s most respected modern forges.

Today, the workshop is led by Go Yoshizawa and a small team of highly skilled artisans who continue to uphold the traditions of their ancestors while embracing modern metallurgy and design. Nigara Hamono is best known for its visually striking damascus patterns and meticulous heat treatment, producing knives that combine exceptional performance with artistic beauty.

Often forged from high-performance steels such as VG10, SG2, and Blue Super, each knife is finished by hand to exacting standards. With deep historical roots and a commitment to constant innovation, Nigara Hamono exemplifies the perfect balance of heritage, precision, and artistry in Japanese blade making.

View all Nigara Hamono products