Forged Santoku Knife — Oak & Horn Handle
Damascus Steel · 58 to 62 HRC
Steel & Hardness
Blade steel: Damascus Steel
Hardness: 58 to 62 HRC (Rockwell scale)
Hand-forged layered steel folded to reveal a distinctive flowing wave pattern — no two blades are alike. Prized for its hard cutting edge and excellent edge retention. Hand wash, dry immediately, and apply a light coat of food-grade oil to protect the etched pattern.
Dimensions & Weight
Overall length: 13.2"
Blade length: 7.1"
Handle length: "
Blade width: "
Care & Maintenance
Hand wash only with warm water and mild soap, and dry immediately — never leave a blade soaking or run it through a dishwasher. Wipe on a light coat of food-grade mineral oil after use to protect the steel, and store it dry in a sheath, knife roll, or on a magnetic strip. A few seconds of care after each use keeps a hand-forged edge true for decades.
Personalisation & Engraving
Add free engraving with the option above — up to 20 characters on the blade, or engrave the leather sheath. Adds 2 business days. Engraved pieces are final sale. For any other engraving request, email us at info@northboundblade.com.
Shipping & Returns
We ship worldwide, fully tracked, with free shipping on orders over $150 to Canada and the USA. Each piece is prepared within 5 business days, and delivery options for your country are shown at checkout.
If something isn't right when it arrives, request a return within 14 days of delivery — we review every request with care and will always work with you to make it right. Engraved pieces are final sale.
Knife Shape
What is a Santoku?
The Santoku — meaning “three virtues” — is built around a flatter edge and a gently rounded tip, making it especially easy to use for slicing, dicing, and mincing. Its shorter blade and lighter weight make it a natural choice for cooks who want reliable, everyday performance without a steep learning curve.
From the forge
About this piece
A Santoku — the versatile "three virtues" knife, built to handle slicing, dicing, and mincing equally well with its flat edge and gently rounded tip. The blade is hand-forged Damascus steel, folded and shaped to reveal a flowing ladder-pattern grain along its full length.
The handle is a two-tone octagonal wa-handle — light oak paired with a black horn ferrule — for a clean, high-contrast look and a secure grip.
The details: Blade length 180mm (7.1"), total length 335mm (13.2"). Hand-forged Damascus steel (58–62 HRC) with a flowing ladder-pattern grain. Octagonal wa-handle: oak with black horn ferrule. Includes a leather sheath. Hand wash, dry immediately, occasional light oiling of blade and handle.
A gift worth giving: The Santoku's flat edge and rounded tip make it one of the easiest knives to pick up and use well — paired here with a Damascus blade and a clean two-tone handle, it's an easy everyday knife that still looks the part.
Every piece leaves the forge ready for a lifetime of use — our Knife Care guide covers the few simple habits that keep a hand-forged edge that way.
FAQ
Is this dishwasher safe? No — hand wash and dry immediately after use; oil the blade and handle occasionally.
What makes a Santoku different from a Gyuto? The Santoku has a flatter edge and a more rounded tip, making it well suited to a straight up-and-down chopping motion rather than the rocking motion a Gyuto is built for.
Does it come with a sheath? Yes — every Northbound Blade knife ships with a leather sheath included.
01 — Forged
Shaped at the anvil
Bar stock is heated and hammered to shape by hand — every bevel drawn out at the anvil, never stamped from a sheet.
02 — Tempered
Hardened true
Each blade is hardened and tempered in controlled cycles, balancing a keen, hard edge with a resilient spine.
03 — Finished
Fitted & inspected
Ground, polished and fitted with its handle, then inspected edge to pommel before it ever leaves the forge.