Tanabe Tatara no Sato 165mm Suminagashi Kataba Santoku

This unique piece hails from Sakai. At first glance, it presents as a santoku, but with a surprising twist. It is single bevel. These two characteristics are rarely seen together.
Whereas most santoku are double bevel and relatively thin, this knife’s construction is closer to that of a traditional usuba, with a pronounced single bevel that allows for precise cuts, cleaner separation of ingredients, and exceptional control in vegetable preparation. The blade’s profile retains a subtle sweep toward the tip rather than the completely flat edge typical of an usuba, giving it more versatility while maintaining its specialized cutting performance.
Forged by Tanaka-san, this unique santoku features a subtle damascus cladding layered over a core of tamahagane produced by Tanabe Tatara no Sato. The damascus pattern shimmers softly in the light, a visual testament to the skill of its maker, while the tamahagane core, prized for its purity, hardness, and heritage, forms the cutting edge. This combination not only delivers remarkable sharpness and edge retention but also embodies the artistry and tradition of Japanese steelwork.
Rare in both design and execution, this is a santoku unlike any other.
Located in the Okuizumo region of Shimane Prefecture, Tanabe Tatara no Sato preserves the ancient Japanese technology of tatara steelmaking, where iron-rich sand is smelted in a tatara, a clay furnace, with pine charcoal. This 1,300 year old technique produces tamahagane, the revered steel once used to forge samurai swords.