Name: Tsunehisa AS Santoku
Brand: Tsunehisa
SKU: TSU-0069
Price: 139.0 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

First Impressions

The fit and finish are definitely a good standard and the sharpness out of the box is already impressive.

Should you wish to, you could thin it a little further to really bring out an additional level of sharpness but right out of the box it's a nimble and reasonably light knife that's a joy to use.

Beauty

The range comes in a variety of options including both kurouchi and unpolished finishes and with a wa handles made from cherry and morado wood or Western yo shape red pakka wood.

The tsuchime hammer finish tapering down to expose the aogami super core along the cutting edge and engraved kanji combine is subtle and each blade is uniquely patterned.

In Hand

A smooth fit and finish on the wa and yo handles and well balanced it's easy to use although if we were being really picky we might have liked a slightly smoother finish around the heel/chiol where you might find it a little rough but it doesn't significantly impact on overall comfort or use.

Durability

The stainless clad aogami super should retain its edge well and it's reasonably easy to maintain and sharpen so the knife will last as long as you want it to and perform time after time.

Ease of Care

The aogami super steel along the cutting edge is reactive and will develop a lovely patina as it reacts with your food and moisture but apart from the normal care instructions it's a nice easy knife to keep.

Check out our carbon steel care page for more tips on how to look after your knife.

Our Verdict

At this price point, the Tsunehisa AS is unquestionably a great value Japanese knife.

You're getting a well made knife with an Aogami Super steel core and a nice selection of both handle and either unpolished or kurouchi finish and they're impressively sharp and ready to go right out of the box.

If you're looking for an AS steel, we happily recommend the knives in this range.

Product details

Blade Length: 170mm (Measurement of the cutting edge)
Total Length: 308mm (Blade tip to handle end)
Blade Height: 47.5mm (Heel to spine)
Blade Thickness: 1.76mm (Spine width above the heel)
Total Weight: 121 grams
Core Steel: Super Blue Steel
Care Tip – Reactive Carbon Steel

The core (and on some ranges, the cladding steel too) of this knife is made using a carbon steel which can react with moisture and acids in your food and so is not stainless or rust-proof.

Read our carbon steel care guide

View all carbon steel knives

View all non-reactive knives

RECOMMENDED Carbon steel care kit
Cladding Steel: Stainless
Hardness: 63-64 (HRC)
Handle Style: Various
Handle Material: Cherry, morado and red pakka wood options
Left or Right handed: Either (Double Bevel)

Product SKU: TSU-0069

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

The magnolia and black sand santoku saya as well as santoku size (22x5cm) blade guard fit this knife.

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.

Tsunehisa AS Santoku