Santoku knife with a blade that measures 170 mm

Masutani is a maker of fine japanese knives with great value for money. What impresses us the most is how thin this knife is right behind the edge, something we usually only see with more expensive knives. The steel is VG-1 that is heat treated to 59-60 HRC. Its a stainless steel that performs well, allthough not as wear resistant as its big brother, the VG-10. The handles are slim and comfortable and the balance point is right where you want it. All in all this is a great knife at a great price.

Disclaimer: Japanese knives have thin edges with high hardness. This makes them much more fragile than traditional european knives. These blades should under no circumstances be subject to twisting, prising or cutting into hard objects. Such handling could easily cause damage to the edge, something that is not valid ground for a warranty claim.