Tadafusa Kobo Santoku 170mm

The classic Japanese home cook shape, 170mm and 125 grams. Short enough to feel safe on a small board, and 43mm tall at the heel so your knuckles stay clear. If you only want one knife, a santoku this size is hard to beat.

Kobo is Tadafusa's own workshop line from Sanjo in Niigata. Thin blades, light in the hand, and a handle in thermally treated chestnut that needs no oiling. The steel is laminated SLD, semi-stainless: it keeps an edge a long time and asks much less care than carbon steel, so you do not have to think about rust.

It comes in a nice cardboard box, so it also works well as a gift. A good first Japanese knife.

All knives JNS carry are handmade, one by one. Size and thickness can vary a little, and small marks in the finish can happen. This is normal for a handmade knife.