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Yoshikane  |  SKU: YOSH_SKNA_SA170HATSU

Hatsukokoro x Yoshikane SKD Nashiji Santoku 170mm Ebony Handle

$409.95 $419.00

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K&S Price: AU $409.95* inc. tax , vs:
Store CK AU $462.0 -12.96%
Store TC AU $484.0 -18.34%

* For overseas buyers you pay no GST (10%) and low shipping rate.
Last Update: 2024-12-30T01:01:34Z

Detailed Specifications
Line Hatsukokoro By Yoshikane SKD Nashiji
Profile Santoku
Bevel Type Double Bevel
Weight 176 g        6.21 oz
Edge Length 170 mm   .6.69 inch
Heel Height 50 mm     .1.97 inch
Width @ Spine 3.5 mm     0.14 inch
Width @ Mid 2.1 mm     0.08 inch
Width @ 1cm from Tip 1.2 mm     0.05 inch
Steel SKD | Semi-stainless
Blade Construction Sanmai - Stainless Clad
Hardness (HRC) 62 - 64
Surface Finish Nashiji
Handle Octagonal Ebony
Region Sanjo
Best for
  • Pro chefs
  • Students
  • Enthusiasts
    		•
    • Free shipping for knives over AU$200 Australia wide.
    • World-wide shipping via DHL Express, 3 to 5 days.


    The Yoshikane SKD Nashji line is probably one of the best cutting offerings from the entire K&S offerings. I often use this knife in the store to demonstrate "how a knife should cut". The primary bevels are done in a convex grind which splits food and reduces sticking, and the low chromium content of the SKD steel provides the ability to get an extremely fine and bitey edge, these two features works together with the tapered Sanjo profile results the ultimate Kireaji-the "Cutting Taste" of this line. Landing the edge on the skin of a potato and use two fingers to pull the handle backwards, these blades won't hesitate much when dropping through the entire potato.

    For those not familiar with SKD, it is SKD12 also known as A2 tool steel, with about 1% of Carbon content, and only 4.5% of Chromium. Heat treated perfectly by Yoshikane to HRC 63, the SKD very much behaves like carbon steel in terms of taking a very keen edge, the food release and also super easy to sharpen; yet without the need of high maintenance.

    With a rustic Nashiji finish coupled with a highly praised Sanjo region F&F, this knife has a very nice profile, large sweet spot, and feels very nimble in hand. SKD Semi-stainless core with stainless cladding ensure the highest cutting performance yet the stainless cladding means you will have little worry about the rust.

    Pros Cons
  • Excellent performance
  • Thin behind the edge
  • Great OOTB
    		•
  • Semi-stainless can rust
    		•

    Care Instruction
    1. Don't cut hard things! Japanese knives are brittle so bone hacking is a NO NO!
    2. Wash with neutral detergent after use, and wipe dry;
    3. Please don't wash knife with dishwasher, it will damage the wood handle;
    4. Be careful not to leave the knife close to a heat source for a long time;
    5. It is a lot more dangerous to cut with a blunt knife than a sharp knife!
    6. It is best to sharpen a Japanese knife regularly on a waterstone.
    7. Semi-stainless steel won't rust easily but may still patina

    Yoshikane Hamono

    Yoshikane is a boutique knife maker based in Sanjo, Niigata. Founded in 1919 (大正8年)，it is one of the most established top quality kitchen knife manufacturers in the region. Many new generation blacksmith in Sanjo took has apprenticeship experience at this knife workshop. 

    Headmaster Yamamoto-san believes, “while many things change rapidly nowadays, there are ideas and believes that never change. Everyday I make sure the meaning of these words are forged into knife making”. And indeed because of this firm believe, this workshop produces some of the highest quality kitchen knives with superb fit and finish. The workshop is alsp very famous for its heat treatment of White 2 and the use of semi-stainless SKD steel. 

    • Profile: Santoku

      The Santoku knife, embodying the meaning "three uses," is a cornerstone in Japanese kitchens, adept at slicing, dicing, and mincing. Esteemed for its versatility, it features a blade length typically between 15cm and 20cm (6 to 8 inches), catering to a wide array of culinary tasks. Distinguished by its less pointy tip compared to the Gyuto, the Santoku boasts a unique profile that contributes to its functionality and popularity. Its design is tailored to provide ease and efficiency in preparation, also because of its less aggressive prrofile, making it a preferred choice for home cooks.

      Slide for more >>

    • Steel: SKD

      SKD short for SKD12 also known as A2 tool steel, with about 1% of Carbon content, and only 4.5% of Chromium. It can be treated to about 63 to 64.

      The SKD very much behaves like carbon steel in terms of taking a very keen edge, the food release and also super easy to sharpen; yet without the need of high maintenance. As a result it is very popular amongst professional chefs.

      Yoshikane is the noteable compnay that loves the SKD.

      Manufacturer:

      • Hitachi Special Steel, Japan

      Nature: Semi-stainless

      Hardness: 62- 64

      << Slide for more >>

    • Construction: Sanmai - Stainless Clad

      Sanmai(Three-Piece) is a common construction for double bevel knives where two pieces of softer cladding steel are forgewelded to each side of a harder core steel. The harder but more brittle core steel will form the hard cutting edge after heat treating, and the softer cladding will support the core to increase the overall strength of the blade.

      The soft cladding enables the thinning process to be a lot easier than a honyaki or monosteel construction. And in the case where the cladding steel are stainless in nature, it can offer protection for the carbon or semi-stainless cores against rusting and discoluoring.

      << Slide for more >>

    • Finish: Nashiji

      The "nashiji finish" on Japanese kitchen knives refers to a unique, textured surface finish that resembles the skin of an Asian pear, which is known as "nashi" in Japanese. This finish is achieved through a specific hammering and polishing technique, giving the knife blade a distinct, matte appearance with a slightly uneven, tactile surface. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the nashiji finish also provides practical benefits. It helps to reduce food sticking to the blade by creating tiny air pockets between the food and the steel. This finish is commonly found on traditional Japanese knives, such as santokus and nakiris, and is highly valued for both its functional and visual characteristics, enhancing the overall culinary experience.

      << Slide for more >>

    • Handle Specs

      Profile: Octagonal WA

      Material:

      • Ebony

      This handle, crafted from a single piece of ebony, exemplifies minimalist elegance and functional design. Its unique octagonal shape, featuring a subtle taper, offers a comfortable grip and a visually appealing geometric profile. The ebony wood, known for its deep, rich color and durability, has been meticulously milled from a single block, ensuring a seamless construction that highlights the wood's natural beauty and grain. The handle's surface has been highly polished, achieving a glossy finish that not only enhances the ebony's luxurious dark hue but also provides a smooth, tactile experience for the user. This design choice reflects a minimalist approach, focusing on simplicity, quality, and usability. The combination of the octagonal shape with the taper adds a modern twist to the classic material, making it a standout piece that blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics.

      << Slide for more

    Yoshikane

    Hatsukokoro x Yoshikane SKD Nashiji Santoku 170mm Ebony Handle

    $409.95 $419.00

    This is the Hatsukokoro (初心) version of the Yoshikane SKD Santoku. Different to K&S Amekiri line, this Hatsukokoro version is with kanji 初心 from a new channel to meet the high demand on the Yoshikane SKD line. Other than the kanji engraving, all specs of this blade are the same as K&S Amekiri.

    For those not familiar with SKD, it is SKD12 also known as A2 tool steel, with about 1% of Carbon content, and only 4.5% of Chromium. Heat treated perfectly by Yoshikane to HRC 63, the SKD very much behaves like carbon steel in terms of taking a very keen edge, the food release and also super easy to sharpen; yet without the need of high maintenance.

    The semi stainless nature of the SKD (and alike) means the knife will not rust during normal use and can be left unattended for a short period of time during service, but could still rust if not cleaned for an extended period of time. It will take on patina during daily use just like carbon steel. 

    ===========

    A rustic Nashiji finish coupled with a highly praised Sanjo region F&F. This knife has a very nice profile, large sweet spot, and feels very nimble in hand. SKD semi stainless core with stainless cladding ensure the highest cutting performance yet the stainless cladding means you will have little worry about the rust.

    This maker is a highly regarded knife house in Sanjo, Niigata. Founded in 1919, it is one of the most established top quality kitchen knife manufacturers in the region.

     

    Measurements

      Measurements

    Weight 

    		 167 g

    Total Length

    		 318 mm

    Tip to Heel Length

    		 170 mm

    Blade Height at Heel

    		 50 mm

    Width of Spine Above Heel 

    		 3.9 mm

    Width of Spine at Middle of Blade

    		 2.2 mm

    Width of Spine at about 1cm From the Tip

    		 1.2 mm 

    Steel

    		 SKD High Speed Tool Steel, Stainless Cladding

    Hardness

    		 HRC 63

    Handle Design

    		 K&S Teak Handle
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