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Home | Yoshikazu Tanaka | Sakai Kikumori Choyo 180mm Kiritsuke Santoku Ginsanko with Saya

Sakai Kikumori Choyo 180mm Kiritsuke Santoku Ginsanko with Saya

$646.00
$646.00
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Double-bevel, ginsanko stainless core with mirror-polish, stainless cladding. Octagonal magnolia wood and water buffalo ferrule handle. Comes with saya.

Ginsanko is a fine grained, high carbon content (1% + carbon), low chromium (13%) stainless steel. It has the cutting and sharpening feel of a carbon steel but is less maintenance with regard to reactivity. These knives are ideal for the individual that is looking for a Japanese knife that’s easy to sharpen and also rust-resistant.

Choyo series knives represent some of the best of Sakai’s knife making. They are made by craftspeople who are highly respected for preserving demanding traditional techniques while contributing their own refinements and creativity to the trade.

Choyo ginsanko is forged by Nakagawa Hamono (previously Shiraki Hamono). Nakagawa-san’s top level forging and heat treatments make for an unusual ease of sharpening and superb edge life. This application of ginsanko is also very easy to sharpen and has really good edge life.

Choyo grinder and polisher is Morihiro Hamono. Morihiro-san's grinding is superb; he pioneered this low kiriba grind on wa-gyuto. The characteristic result of this grinding and polishing are the even, wide bevels, chamfered spine and brilliant mirror polish.

Sakai Kikumori was started in 1926 and draws on Sakai's 600 year history as the major center of traditional Japanese cutlery manufacturing. They work with a large variety of Sakai's best smiths, sharpeners and small factories to offer a wide variety of knives ranging from traditional to modern.

These knives come from the maker with lacquer on the blade for corrosion protection during shipping. It can be removed using acetone or lacquer thinner (follow manufacturers instructions for use).

We can remove the lacquer prior to shipping for an additional charge. Please add the suggested “Lacquer Removal” to your cart and proceed with checkout. Please note that lacquer removal can delay your order by up to one week.

Everyday Prep

Good for veggies and boneless protein

Avoid Bones & Dense Foods

If you can't bite it, don't cut it.

Stainless Steel

Non-reactive blade.

Wide Kireba Bevel

Smooth, robust cutting feel.

Ambidextrous

Suitable for all users.

Santoku

Santoku means "three virtues," referring to its versatility with meat, fish, and vegetables. It has a shorter, wider blade than a gyuto with a flat edge and slight curve that excels at chopping and low mincing. Ideal for home cooks due to it's smaller size range for general prep across a range of ingredients.

Listed Length:
Total Length:
Edge Length:
Heel Height:
Spine Thickness:
Weight:
Orientation: Ambidextrous

Blade Type:
Steel Type: Ginsanko (Silver #3)
Steel Hardness (HRC):
Maintenance: Less Attention
Handle Type: Japanese (wa)
Handle Material:

  • This is a stainless steel knife made from thin, hard steel.
  • Hand wash and towel dry after use. Do not air dry or use the dishwasher. Regular neglect can lead to oxidation.
  • Avoid twisting, scraping, or use on dense or hard foods and surfaces to avoid early dulling and edge damage. If you wouldn't bite into it, don't cut it with this knife.
  • Use on wooden cutting boards only. Do not use bamboo, cheap plastics or metal cutting boards.

Dive Deeper

Medium-Fine finish - Japanese

We recommend sharpening by hand using whetstones starting around 1000 grit progressing to at least 4000 for this steel type and edge geometry. Finish with a monodiachrome strop for a smooth cut with a substantial bite. Finer finishes are possible, but the knife may slide on smooth foods and overall edge retention may suffer. During repair, use a super coarse stone to pass chips quickly to help keep flat bevels.

  • Avoid pull-through sharpeners and non-water-cooled mechanized systems.
  • Strops and ceramic honing rods are preferred for as-needed edge maintenance. If you have to use a honing rod to be able to use the knife comfortably, it's time to sharpen the knife.

Sharpening Supplies

Stones & Accessories selected specifically for this knife.

Arato-kun #220 Extra Coarse Grit Whetstone

Arato-kun #220 Extra Coarse Grit Whetstone

$50.00
$50.00
Sold Out
Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi 1200 Grit Blue Marble Semi-Soft Ceramic Japanese Whetstone

Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi 1200 Grit Blue Marble Semi-Soft Ceramic Japanese Whetstone

$74.00
$74.00
Sold Out
Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi 4000 Grit Yellow Semi-Hard Resinoid Japanese Whetstone

Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi 4000 Grit Yellow Semi-Hard Resinoid Japanese Whetstone

$82.00
$82.00
Arashiyama #6000 Whetstone Stone NO Wooden Base

Arashiyama #6000 Whetstone Stone NO Wooden Base

$58.00
$58.00
Arashiyama #6000 Whetstone With Nagura Stone and Wooden Base

Arashiyama #6000 Whetstone With Nagura Stone and Wooden Base

$68.00
$68.00
Bernal Cutlery Monodiachrome™ Precharged Deburring Strop

Bernal Cutlery Monodiachrome™ Precharged Deburring Strop

$40.00
$40.00

Ginsanko (Silver #3)

Carbon (C) 1.0–1.1% | Chromium (Cr) ~13% | Manganese (Mn) ~0.8%

Ginsanko (Silver 3) is a Hitachi stainless steel designed to deliver the sharpness and feel of White steel with the convenience of stainless performance. It has a fine, clean grain structure that allows for exceptional sharpness and toughness. Typically hardened to 59–62 HRC, Ginsan offers a carbon-like edge feel, excellent sharpening response, and smooth cutting character.

Edge retention is solid—comparable to White 2—while toughness is above average for stainless steels, allowing for very thin grinds with low risk of chipping. Fully stainless, it resists rust and pitting well, making it ideal for chefs who prefer minimal maintenance. Ginsan sharpens easily to a refined, smooth edge and responds beautifully to medium to high grit stones.

About Sakai Kikumori

Sakai, Osaka, Japan

Sakai Kikumori is a distinguished Japanese knife brand established in 1926 by Kawamura Hamono Co., Ltd., located in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture—a region renowned for its 600-year-old blade-making tradition. Rather than manufacturing knives in-house, Sakai Kikumori collaborates with some of Sakai’s most skilled blacksmiths and sharpeners to produce high-quality kitchen knives. This collaborative approach ensures a diverse and refined selection of knives that honor Sakai’s legacy of craftsmanship.

See All Sakai Kikumori