Nigara Irodori Blue #2 Ranbow Damascus Santoku 180mm with Ebony and Horn Handle
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Eligible US purchases include 180-day returns and a free prepaid return label.
Free US shipping over $99. Orders are normally fulfilled within 2 business days; UPS Ground transit is typically 1–5 business days. Custom work may add 1–2 business days.
Every order is fully insured. If a package is lost or damaged, contact us and we will handle the claim.
Overview
The Nigara Irodori Blue #2 Rainbow Damascus Santoku 180mm with ebony and horn handle is a versatile Japanese kitchen knife built for everyday prep. It uses a Blue #2 carbon steel core with stainless rainbow damascus cladding, giving you the edge feel and sharpening response of carbon steel with added corrosion resistance on the outside layers. This santoku is well suited for slicing vegetables, proteins, herbs, and general board work, with a profile that feels compact, controllable, and efficient.
The listed size is 180mm, though the actual edge length is closer to 170mm. That gives it a nimble feel while still providing enough length for most home and professional kitchen tasks. The tall blade offers good knuckle clearance and helps with food transfer, while the ebony and horn handle gives the knife a more traditional and premium feel in hand.
Because the core steel is carbon, this knife should be wiped dry during use and cleaned promptly after prep. It will reward good care with excellent edge performance and an easy sharpening experience compared with many harder-wearing powdered steels. For maintenance, a light coat of Tsubaki oil is useful for storage, and a few passes on a leather strop can help maintain the edge between sharpenings.
Common Questions
Q: Is this knife suitable for home cooks?
A: Yes. A santoku is one of the most practical Japanese knife shapes for home use because it is easy to control and versatile across many common kitchen tasks. This one is a higher-end option, so it is a good fit for cooks who want better cutting performance and do not mind basic carbon steel care.
Q: What is Blue #2 steel like to use?
A: Blue #2 is known for taking a very keen edge, holding it well, and being relatively straightforward to sharpen. It has a crisp cutting feel and works very well for users who want strong performance without moving into extremely wear-resistant steels that can be slower to sharpen.
Q: How should I care for this knife?
A: Hand wash only, dry it right away, and do not leave it wet on the board or in the sink. Avoid twisting cuts, bones, and frozen foods. A knife-friendly board like a Hasegawa Pro Cutting Board will also help protect the edge.
Specifications
- Core Steel: Blue #2 / Aogami #2
- Cladding Type: Stainless rainbow damascus clad
- Blade Length: 180mm listed length
- Actual Edge Length: Approx. 170mm
- Blade Height at Heel: Approx. 50mm
- Overall Length: Specs not found
- Spine Thickness (Heel): Approx. 3.4mm
- Spine Thickness (Mid): Approx. 2.4mm
- Spine Thickness (1cm from Tip): Approx. 1.0mm
- Weight: Approx. 170g
- Handle Material: Ebony with horn ferrule
- Hardness (HRC): Approx. 61–63
- Bevel: Double bevel
- Region: Hyogo, Japan
- Finish: Rainbow damascus
Shipping, returns and order protection
US shipping: Free on orders over $99. Orders are normally fulfilled within 2 business days, and UPS Ground transit is typically 1–5 business days after fulfillment. Custom handle installation or sharpening may add 1–2 business days.
Returns: Eligible purchases may be returned within 180 days with a free prepaid return label. Knives sharpened by Tokushu Knife or fitted with a custom handle remain eligible if they are otherwise new, unused, undamaged, and returned in their original packaging with all included components. The same refund terms apply.
Order protection: Every order is insured. If a package is lost or damaged, contact us at Tony@TokushuKnife.com and we will handle the claim.
Outside the US: Supported international orders from TokushuKnife.com typically ship via FedEx Delivered Duty Paid (DDP). Tokushu Knife pays all applicable import duties and taxes on the customer's behalf. Customers are not responsible for paying duties or taxes. Available destinations, shipping charges and delivery estimates are shown at checkout. Customers may also shop at TokushuKnife.eu for regional inventory and options.
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Steel, Construction and Care
Our catalog includes stainless, semi-stainless and carbon steels selected for edge performance and durability. Carbon steels may develop a patina, while stainless steels are designed to resist discoloration. Follow the care guidance on each product page, hand wash only and dry the knife promptly after use.
I bought & received this exact knife pictured, it's even more amazing in person... Beautiful, well made, feels great in the hand. Touch heavier than my others, which I would have thought wouldn't feel as good but I love it.
This is officially my new favorite knife.
