Miwa Hamono Kurouchi Aogami No.1 Santoku Knife 165mm in its open box

Hidetoshi Miwa, from Miwa Hamono, polishing a blade

Hand holding a Miwa Hamono Kurouchi Aogami No.1 Santoku Knife 165mm

Miwa Hamono master artisan, Hidetoshi Miwa, checking a balde in front of the sharpener tools inside the workshop

Miwa Hamono Kurouchi Aogami No.1 Santoku Knife 165mm on a white background

Hidetoshi Miwa, master artisan of Miwa Hamono, hammering a blade

Closeup of the walnut handle with white and grey ferrule for a Miwa Hamono knife

Closeup of the hands of Hidetoshi Miwa, master artisan of Miwa Hamono, polishing a blade

Close up of a blade knife with the Miwa Hamono artisan engraving

Closeup of a Miwa Hamono Kurouchi Aogami No.1 Santoku Knife 165mm blade thickness

Description

The Miwa Hamono Kurouchi Aogami No.1 Santoku Knife 165mm is forged in Niimi, Okayama. The workshop has worked iron by hand since 1927 and is known as much for field billhooks and nata as for kitchen knives. A provenance from a maker still building working tools for daily use, not showpieces.

The blade pairs an Aogami Blue Steel #1 cutting core with a stainless cladding that protects the softer outer steel, ground to a double bevel for right or left-handed use. Each one is finished on a #8000 stone and sharpened by hand in the workshop before it ships, so it arrives ready to cut from the first slice rather than needing to be brought up to edge first.

About the Blade Shape: A well-balanced, all-purpose kitchen knife, santoku knives are designed for versatility across meat, fish, and vegetables. The moderately flat edge supports efficient chopping and slicing, while the compact blade length offers excellent control for everyday prep. Typically double-edged, the santoku is a reliable choice for both home cooks and professional kitchens.

Blade Shape	Santoku	Handle Length	125mm
Blade Material	Aogami 1 with Stainless Cladding	Handle Material	Walnut Wood
Blade HRC	60-61	Handle Shape	Oval
Blade Finish	Kurouchi	Total Length	300mm
Blade Length	165mm	Weight	132g
Spine Thickness at Heel	2mm	Usage	Multi-purpose
Edge	Double-edge (50/50)	Origin	Niimi, Okayama, Japan
Handedness	Right hand, Left hand

Miwa Hamono Kurouchi Aogami No.1 Santoku Knife 165mm

Name: Miwa Hamono Santoku 165mm | Hand-Forged Aogami Blue #1 All-Round Knife
Brand: Miwa Hamono
SKU: MHK2
Price: 270.99 USD
Availability: InStock

by Miwa Hamono

$270.99 - $270.99

$270.99

$270.99 - $270.99

$270.99

Made in Japan

All products are crafted by real Japanese craftsmen with years of experience, as featured in our +1.8 million-subscriber YouTube Channel documentaries.

Blade Shape	Santoku	Handle Length	125mm
Blade Material	Aogami 1 with Stainless Cladding	Handle Material	Walnut Wood
Blade HRC	60-61	Handle Shape	Oval
Blade Finish	Kurouchi	Total Length	300mm
Blade Length	165mm	Weight	132g
Spine Thickness at Heel	2mm	Usage	Multi-purpose
Edge	Double-edge (50/50)	Origin	Niimi, Okayama, Japan
Handedness	Right hand, Left hand

Specifications

Blade Shape	Santoku	Handle Length	125mm
Blade Material	Aogami 1 with Stainless Cladding	Handle Material	Walnut Wood
Blade HRC	60-61	Handle Shape	Oval
Blade Finish	Kurouchi	Total Length	300mm
Blade Length	165mm	Weight	132g
Spine Thickness at Heel	2mm	Usage	Multi-purpose
Edge	Double-edge (50/50)	Origin	Niimi, Okayama, Japan
Handedness	Right hand, Left hand

Product Care Instructions

HOW TO USE?

Only cut food you can bite and chew with this knife since hard foods can chip the blade. Do not cut olive pits, bones, lobster shells, wood pieces or frozen food, which are especially bad due to the cold making hard steel more brittle.
Do not use the knife in twisting motions.
Use wood or plastic cutting boards to avoid dull knives. Do not use glass, granite or bamboo surfaces.

HOW TO CLEAN?

After each use, hand wash the knife with mild detergent and a soft sponge, rinse with hot water and dry by hand immediately. Do not use the dishwasher.
Wood handles may dry out over time and exposure to water. To prevent this, use some food safe mineral oil or beeswax.

HOW TO STORE?

Wrap the blade in newspaper to reduce direct exposure to the air and prevent rusting if you keep knives in a drawer or travel case.
If you are hanging the knife or using a knife stand, remember that the blade should point downwards.
If you are storing them in a drawer, keep the edge from touching anything else.

Shipping + Return Policy

Shipping Policy

All products are crafted, inspected, and shipped directly from Japan.

Please allow up to 5 business days for order processing before dispatch.

Click here for more info on our shipping policy.

Return Policy

We have a 30-day return policy, which means you have 30 days after receiving your item to request a return.

Click here for more info on our return policy.

Customs Fees & Other Taxes

Import duties, VAT, or local customs taxes may apply once your order reaches your country.

These are set by your local customs authority and are not included in our product prices or free shipping. We suggest contacting the responsible institutions to find more information.

These fees are the customer's responsibility and thus must be paid upon delivery.

FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS: As of May 8, 2026, all U.S. orders are shipped DDP (Delivered Duties Paid). Customs duties and import taxes are included for US customers in the final price shown at checkout.

About this artisan

Miwa Hamono

Miwa Hamono (備中暉光三輪刃物工場) has forged blades by hand in Niimi, in the hills of Okayama, since 1927, when Miwa Teruo founded the workshop under the blacksmith name Terumitsu. It is now in the hands of the third generation, Hidetoshi Miwa, who forges each blade himself.

Little about how the workshop makes a knife has changed in those decades. Forge-welding, forging, and sharpening are all done by hand, using Yasuki steel (the high-carbon Japanese steel the forge has worked with from the beginning). The materials are chosen for the edge it takes and holds, finished by feel rather than to a machine's tolerance.

Miwa is as much a maker of the region's traditional working tools (the sickles, hatchets, and shears used on farm and in forest) as of Japanese kitchen knives, and that practical heritage carries straight into the knives: they are built to be used hard, sharpened, and kept for years, not set aside as showpieces. Locally the workshop is recognized as one of Niimi's designated specialty products, and the knives are used by home cooks and professional chefs alike both in the area and overseas.

Learn more

Watch Miwa Hamono hand-forge traditional knives

Why buy from us?

Japanese Food Craftsman focus on introducing and supporting Japanese artisans, helping them continue their craft and preserve traditional culture for future generations.

When you purchase through us, your support goes to the maker behind the knife, not to mass production or anonymous distribution.

Through our global +1.8 million YouTube community, we share the stories, techniques, and philosophy of these craftsmen with viewers around the world.

The knives we offer are selected through direct relationships and transparent storytelling, not catalogs. Choosing this knife means supporting real people, real skills, and craftsmanship meant to last.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Miwa Hamono knife dishwasher safe?

No, this Miwa Hamono knife should not be washed in the dishwasher. To prevent damage to your knife and ensure it lasts you for years to come, please wash the knife by hand with a mild detergent and gentle sponge.

How should I care for my knife?

We recommend that, after each use, you wash the knife by hand using a mild detergent and gentle sponge. Rinse clean and wipe with a soft dish towel until completely dry. Store in a dry place.

Will this Miwa Hamono knife rust?

This Miwa Hamono knife is made of Aogami No.1 Blue Steel with stainless steel cladding. Thus, it is rust resistant and low maintenance when compared to pure carbon steel knives. However, rust can still occasionally form even on stainless steel knives, so be sure to dry your knife completely before putting it away and to store in a dry place to prevent rust from forming.

How much will shipping cost?

All prices include FREE international shipping. Please allow up to 5 weeks for shipping, depending on your country of residence. Please see our Shipping Policy for details.

Please note: Our products ship directly from Japan to you. You may be required to pay customs duties and/or customs clearance fees upon delivery (if applicable in your country).

FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS: As of May 8, 2026, all U.S. orders are shipped DDP (Delivered Duties Paid).Customs duties and import taxes are included for US customers in the final price shown at checkout.

How do I sharpen my Miwa Hamono knife?

We recommend sharpening the blade of your Miwa Hamono knife following the instructions in the video below.

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