Santoku

Santoku with a 163 mm blade length.

The last shipment from the legendary, and sadly late, blacksmith Itou. Itou was active until the autumn of 2025 despite being over 80 years old.

The blade features dark etched nickel damascus with a core steel of SG2 (R2) powder steel.
The handmade handle in desert ironwood is sculpted to fit the hand, an exciting and unique handle.

Steel: SG-2 powder steel clad in dark nickel damascus (HRC 62-63)
Blade height at heel: 48 mm
Edge length: 163 mm
Weight: 174 grams

Itou was born in Fukui Prefecture, Japan, in 1942. After graduating from university, he became a physical education teacher. However, his true passion was knife making, and he often considered leaving teaching to dedicate himself entirely to his craft. Each time, those around him persuaded him to continue as a teacher, and he remained in the profession until retirement.

When he retired, he declared: "Now I can make knives the way I want," and he kept that promise. He spent the rest of his life creating knives freely, just as he wished. Many people make knives for money, but he only made the knives he wanted to make, without concern for business or profit. Perhaps that is why so many of his works were so distinctive.