Our in-depth range review

First Impressions

This is a perfect choice for a first Japanese knife if you're looking for a balance of great looks, durable steel and and an edge that we'd say is plenty good enough to start work straight away but if you're minded, you could easily get even better performance with minimal effort on a whetstone.

Beauty

The blades look stunning and are certainly eye catching. The 15 layers of stainless steel on each side are hand ground to reveal each one in turn like tree rings. The hammered dimples are a by product of getting the layers to bind together but leave the blade with this wonderful finish.

In Hand

Fitted with either an oval wa handle or full tang Western yo handle the knives throughout the range have a great feel. The balance of the knives tend to be nicely centered over the kanji on the wa handle versions and closer to the metal bolster on the yo handled variants. A great collection with a lot of feel.

Durability

VG10 is a robust and forgiving steel that's commonly used on Japanese knives because it offers a great balance between durability and sharpness. 

Ease of Care & Maintenance Tips

This is a very easy to care for knife, just follow the normal care instructions and you're good to go. We'd recommend a Japanese knife care kit if you don't already own a stone, rod and strop for longer term care and mantinenance.

A stainless VG10 core is quick and easy to sharpen and the stainless cladding means no rusting or patina so if you're after a low maintenance knife then this is a great option.

Our Verdict

Great Japanese blades, comfortable handles, fabulous looks and performance to match.

This is one of our most popular ranges and one that we often recommend as a great introduction to Japanese knives or as an excellent value addition to existing collection.

Meet the maker

Tsunehisa

Tsunehisa is a respected Japanese knife brand that represents the skill and consistency of Sakai and Tosa’s regional blacksmithing traditions rather than a single maker. Working with a network of experienced craftsmen across Japan, Tsunehisa produces high-quality kitchen knives that balance performance, value, and practicality for both professional and home chefs.

Tsunehisa’s product range covers a wide variety of steels and styles - from carbon steel gyuto and petty knives to stainless and Damascus series using VG10, AUS10, and Ginsan - all designed to deliver excellent edge retention and a comfortable, well-finished feel.

Each Tsunehisa knife reflects a blend of traditional Japanese handcraft and modern manufacturing precision, offering reliable sharpness and performance that embody the enduring quality of regional Japanese knife-making.

View all Tsunehisa products