Vintage Japanese Takekuni Santoku Knife 170mm Carbon Steel Made in Japan 1653

Experience Everyday Japanese Preparation with a Vintage Takekuni Santoku

This pre-owned Takekuni Santoku combines a 170mm carbon steel blade with a wood handle. Recorded as fully forged and made in Japan, it offers a manageable all-purpose kitchen format for cooks who appreciate vintage Japanese knives and the hands-on care of carbon steel.

The Specs

• Recorded maker / brand: Takekuni (Take-kuni)
• Recorded inscription: 武國作 (Takekuni Saku)
• Knife type: Santoku
• Blade length: 170mm
• Overall length: 300mm
• Recorded blade thickness: 1.4mm
• Steel: High carbon steel; exact alloy not recorded
• Recorded construction: Fully forged
• Recorded hardness: 58 HRC
• Handle: Wood
• Origin: Made in Japan
• Condition: Used / pre-owned

The Takekuni Inscription

The original inscription notes read 武國作 as Takekuni Saku, meaning made by Takekuni, with 武國 identifying the recorded maker or brand name. The notes describe a traditional Japanese home-use kitchen knife, but do not establish a production date or a detailed maker history.

The Santoku, commonly translated as three virtues, is an all-purpose format for meat, fish and vegetables. Its flat-to-gently-curved edge suits push cuts and light rocking, while the wide blade offers knuckle clearance. At 170mm, this example is a manageable all-rounder for home preparation. Carbon steel can take a keen edge and develops natural patina with use, rewarding careful drying and maintenance.

Care & Maintenance

• Hand wash only, never in the dishwasher
• Dry immediately after washing to help prevent rust
• Do not soak the wood handle
• Natural patina develops with use; remove active rust rather than treating it as patina
• Sharpen on a whetstone, preserving the existing edge geometry
• Store on a magnetic strip or in a knife block to protect the edge