Handmade Japanese santoku knife Yoshihiro Kogeta White 2 steel 18cm

Origins :

Yoshihiro makes high-performance knives made to last for years. The brand has been established for around a century in Japan, and these expert craftsmen are the descendants of old-time blacksmiths, who produced the katanas of the day (know-how can be traced back to the 14th century). Over the years, the techniques used to create these katanas have been transferred to the field of cutlery, which is why Japanese knives are so sharp!

Each Yoshihiro knife is unique, because it's handcrafted. The manufacturer's motto is: 一期一会. This could be translated as "every moment is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity". That's why the brand strives to offer long-lasting knives whose performance will delight you for years to come, so you can enjoy every moment in the kitchen.

Model:

This 18cmsantoku knife is a versatile model, much appreciated in Japan. It has also been equipping Western kitchens for some years now, and could be compared to a chef's knife. It allows you to make a wide range of cuts: chop, slice, chop...let your creativity do the talking!

Blade :

Built according to the San Maï structure, typically Japanese. It's the superposition of 3 alternating layers of different alloys.

Here, the core is a carbon steel, White #2 Steel. This alloy, produced by the Hitachi steel mills (steel suppliers to many renowned Japanese manufacturers), has a carbon content of 1.05%. This type of steel is widely used for top-of-the-range Japanese knives. This level of carbon makes the steel stiffer, which in turn enables it to be sharpened to a more pronounced edge (since the alloy is capable of withstanding such a finish). The result is a high-performance cutting edge, for clean, precise cuts every time.

What's more, its special composition is "purer" than stainless steel. This makes its structure more homogeneous, and the knife more resistant to wear (there's less risk of chipping). Finally, here are other advantages of a knife with a high carbon content: it holds its edge for a long time, but remains easy to sharpen when the need arises. This means you can space out sharpening sessions, but they won't last long when you need them.

This carbon core is then sandwiched by a layer of soft iron, as you can see from the color differences on the cutting surface.

The rough forged finish:

The Yoshihiro knife features a rough forged blade finish. It is not polished, which gives it its original dark appearance. Japanese chefs love this type of finish, which is more authentic.

Finally, the kanji visible on the blade have been directly engraved by an expert craftsman. A further proof of authenticity.

The handle :

A shiny black ferrule links the blade to the handle. It is made of buffalo horn. This natural material can have small white streaks, which will be different on each knife.

The handle is made of light magnolia wood. Its oval shape is suitable for both right- and left-handed users. The special feature of the Kogeta series lies in the handle: kanji have been engraved on its surface. They are inscribed with a hot iron, hence the slightly "burnt" appearance visible all around. In fact, "kogeta" means "burnt" in Japanese.

The junction between the blade and the bolster is filled with a wood paste that makes it watertight, and prevents small scraps and water (when cleaning) from penetrating the wood.

Maintenance:

Note that carbon and iron are sensitive to oxidation. The knife should therefore be washed by hand (not in a dishwasher), without soaking (blade and handle included, the latter being made of wood).

After washing, wipe with a soft cloth to remove all traces of moisture. Please note, however, that a carbon blade will tend to vary in color over time, even if you are very careful. This is normal (the knife is in constant contact with moist food, and moisture is also found in the ambient air...). You can apply mineral oil to the steel from time to time, for maintenance purposes.

Discover our selection of Japanese sharpening stones to maintain your best knives!