Vintage Japanese Naozumi Santoku Knife 170mm Stainless Steel Made in Japan 786

Experience Versatile Everyday Prep with a Vintage Naozumi Santoku

This vintage Japanese Naozumi Santoku knife combines a 170mm stainless steel blade with a wood handle for slicing, chopping and dicing meat, fish and vegetables. Made in Japan, this fully forged kitchen knife balances compact handling with useful cutting length, making it a distinctive everyday tool with vintage character.

The Specs

• Brand: Naozumi
• Knife type: Santoku
• Steel: Stainless steel
• Hardness: 58 HRC
• Blade length: 170mm
• Blade thickness: 1.4mm
• Construction: Fully forged
• Handle: Wood
• Weight: Approximately 120g
• Origin: Made in Japan
• Condition: Vintage - one-of-a-kind

Naozumi Brand Heritage and Santoku Versatility

The original brand notes describe Naozumi as a classic, highly regarded Japanese cutlery brand that partners with independent blacksmiths and master sharpeners rather than operating a large factory. They reference traditional knife-making centres such as Sakai and Sanjo, and the sourcing and assembly of high-performance carbon steel kitchen knives. This is retained as broader brand context, not confirmation of this knife's workshop or blade material: this particular Santoku is listed as stainless steel.

Santoku means "three virtues", reflecting its versatility across meat, fish and vegetables. This Japanese alternative to the Western chef's knife supports everyday slicing, chopping and dicing. At 170mm, the blade offers a practical balance between compact handling and full-size reach. Stainless steel offers corrosion resistance and a reliable edge at the listed hardness of 58 HRC, while the lightweight design suits varied kitchen preparation.

Care & Maintenance

• Hand wash only - never put in the dishwasher
• Dry immediately after washing
• Hone regularly with a honing steel and sharpen with a whetstone as needed
• Store on a magnetic strip or in a knife block to protect the edge