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Tsunehisa Ginsan Nawame Santoku 165mm Japanese kitchen knife
  • Tsunehisa Ginsan Nawame Santoku 165mm Japanese kitchen knife
  • Tsunehisa Ginsan Santoku knife blade profile view
  • Buffalo horn ferrule detail on Japanese Santoku handle
  • Octagonal ebony handle Tsunehisa Japanese knife
  • Japanese Santoku knife's unique Nawame textured pattern detail on a white background.
  • Santoku knife showing hammering detail on the side, on a stand against a gray background.
  • Tsunehisa Ginsan Nawame Santoku 165mm Japanese kitchen knife
  • Tsunehisa Ginsan Santoku knife blade profile view
  • Buffalo horn ferrule detail on Japanese Santoku handle
  • Octagonal ebony handle Tsunehisa Japanese knife
  • Japanese Santoku knife's unique Nawame textured pattern detail on a white background.
  • Santoku knife showing hammering detail on the side, on a stand against a gray background.
Tsunehisa Ginsan Nawame Santoku // Nawame Damascus Japanese Knife // 165mm

Tsunehisa Ginsan Nawame Santoku // Nawame Damascus Japanese Knife // 165mm

$250.00 USD
Shipping calculated at checkout.

The Santoku knife, meaning “three virtues,” is a versatile Japanese kitchen knife designed for slicing, dicing, and chopping meat, vegetables, and fish with ease. Its broad, short blade provides precision and efficiency, making it ideal for a wide range of cutting tasks in both professional and home kitchens.

The Ginsan Nawame series exemplifies premium Japanese kitchen knife craftsmanship, featuring a san mai construction with a Ginsan (Silver #3) stainless steel core and durable stainless cladding. Renowned for its fine grain structure, easy sharpening, and excellent corrosion resistance, Ginsan steel delivers clean, precise cuts and dependable edge performance, making it ideal for both professional chefs and home cooks.

A defining feature of the series is its distinctive blade finish. The cladding transitions from a highly polished, tight-band Damascus pattern into a bold Nawame texture near the spine—an industrial, rope- or rebar-inspired stamping that adds depth, grip, and dramatic visual contrast. This unique combination of refinement and rugged detail gives each knife a truly standout appearance.

Designed for comfort and cutting efficiency, the blade features a smoothly rounded choil for a comfortable pinch grip and a gentle convex grind that tapers to a thin, sharp edge. This geometry promotes effortless cutting, excellent food release, and precise control across a wide range of kitchen tasks.

Completed with an octagonal ebony handle and buffalo horn ferrule, the knife offers outstanding balance, stability, and a secure, natural feel in hand. Blending striking aesthetics with reliable performance, the Ginsan Nawame series delivers a high-end Japanese knife experience that performs as beautifully as it looks.

Product Specifications:

  • Knife Shape: Santoku (Japanese all-purpose kitchen knife)

  • Blade Length: 165mm (6.5")

  • Blade Height: 47.5mm

  • Blade Thickness: 1.8mm

  • Weight: 138.5g

  • Blade Construction: San Mai (stainless-clad core)

  • Cladding: Stainless Damascus with Nawame textured finish

  • Core Steel: Ginsan (Silver #3) stainless steel

  • Hardness: 61–63 HRC

  • Handle: Octagonal ebony handle with buffalo horn ferrule

  • Brand: Tsunehisa

  • Origin: Handcrafted in Tosa, Kochi, Japan

Ginsan steel, also known as Ginsanko, G3, or Silver #3, is a high-quality stainless steel developed by Hitachi Metals. It is valued for its ability to provide the sharpness and edge retention of traditional high-carbon steels while offering the corrosion resistance of stainless steel.

Composition of Ginsan (G3) Steel:

  • Carbon (C): ~0.95% - 1.05% (Increases hardness and edge retention)

  • Chromium (Cr): ~13.00% - 14.50% (Enhances wear resistance and toughness)

  • Manganese (Mn): ~0.60% - 1.00% (Aids in hardness and grain structure)

  • Silicon (Si): ~0.35% (Enhances strength and durability)

  • Phosphorus (P): ≤ 0.03% (Kept low to prevent brittleness)

  • Sulfur (S): ≤ 0.02% (Minimizes impurities for better toughness)

G3 Steel Characteristics:

  • Hardness: Can reach HRC 60-63 when properly heat-treated.

  • Corrosion Resistance: Due to its chromium content, it is stainless and resistant to rust.

  • Sharpness & Edge Retention: Performs similarly to traditional high-carbon steels like White #2 but with better stain resistance.

  • Ease of Sharpening: Relatively easy to sharpen compared to other stainless steels.

Ginsan is a popular choice for high-end Japanese knives because it provides an excellent balance of performance, ease of maintenance, and traditional high-carbon steel feel with the benefits of stainless steel.

Key Features:

  • Santoku knife design (“three virtues”) for slicing, dicing, and chopping meat, vegetables, and fish

  • Ginsan (Silver #3) stainless steel core offers high-carbon–like sharpness with excellent corrosion resistance

  • San Mai construction with stainless cladding for durability and easy maintenance

  • Nawame Damascus blade finish combines polished bands with bold textured stamping near the spine

  • 61–63 HRC hardness balances edge retention, toughness, and sharpening ease

  • Gentle convex grind tapers to a thin edge for smooth cutting and improved food release

  • Broad blade profile provides knuckle clearance and efficient ingredient transfer

  • Rounded choil for a comfortable, secure pinch grip

  • Octagonal ebony handle with buffalo horn ferrule for balance and control

  • Handcrafted in Tosa, Kochi, Japan by Tsunehisa

Recommended Uses:

  • Everyday Japanese all-purpose kitchen knife for home and professional kitchens

  • Slicing proteins such as meat and fish with clean, precise cuts

  • Chopping and dicing vegetables with speed and control

  • Push cutting and pull cutting techniques

  • Cooks seeking stainless performance with a carbon-steel feel

  • Professional chefs and home cooks who value sharpness, balance, and low maintenance