Shinka AO2 Kurouchi Grey Birch Custom Santoku 165mm
Alert me if this item is restocked.
We often restock popular items or they may be returned by the other customers. If you would like to be notified when this happens just enter your details below.
Shinka AO2 Kurouchi Grey Birch Custom Santoku 165mm
We respect your privacy and don't share your email with anybody.
Alert me if this item is restocked
We have cancelled your request.
SPECIFICATIONS
Knife Style: Santoku
Steel Type: Carbon Steel
Blade Material: Aogami Blue #2
Blade Finish: Kurouchi
Blade Hardness: 61HRC (+/-1)
Bevel: Double
Handle: Stabilized Mono Birch
Blade Length: 165mm
Heel Height: ~47mm
Spine Thickness: ~4.50mm tapered to ~1.70mm
Weight: 148g
The Shinka series — shaped by tradition, refined through generations, and brought forward with purpose. Forged in Japan from Aogami Blue #2 carbon steel, it delivers the kind of edge that feels immediate and alive on the board. At 61 HRC (+/-1), it strikes an ideal balance between edge retention and ease of sharpening, giving you a knife that performs while keeping that forged, rustic character front and center. The dark kurouchi finish keeps things raw and honest, a visible reminder of the forging process on every blade. It’s the kind of knife made for those who want that true, brut handmade Japanese look and feel — without stepping into overly inflated price points.
Each knife is completely hand-forged for our shop in Tosa by a fourth-generation workshop with roots going back to 1920. What started with agricultural tools has evolved into a focused pursuit of kitchen knives, where geometry, taper, and balance are dialed in with intent. The result is a blade that moves cleanly through food, with a grind that supports both precision and everyday versatility. It’s not about overengineering — it’s about getting the fundamentals right.
This particular piece was assembled at Kakushin onto a custom so that no two pieces ever react the same way, making this knife truly one of a kind both in appearance and personality.
◻️ Additional Information
Please note that colours, shading, and overall appearance may vary slightly between photos and the product you receive. Lighting, camera exposure, and reflections on materials like steel, epoxy, and wood can all create subtle differences.
Many of our items are handmade, which means each piece has its own character. Minor variations in pattern, texture, or finish are normal and part of the craft.
If you’d like to see additional photos or close-ups of any item, feel free to request them before or after placing your order—especially for one-of-a-kind pieces. We’re always happy to help you choose the perfect knife or handle.
◻️ Sharp Certified
Before our knives are shipped, each one undergoes a rigorous sharpness test to ensure they meet the highest standards of quality. Our BESS Certified sharpness scale will guarantee that your knives deliver the smoothest cuts.
This commitment to sharpness not only guarantees that you receive a product that's ready to perform at its best but also reflects our dedication to delivering excellence in every aspect of our field.
◻️ Shipping & Returns
Every product listed on our website is physically in stock at our shop and typically ships within 24 hours — giving us enough time for sharpening and proper packaging.
The only exceptions are custom knife assemblies or engraving, which may require 3-5 days before shipping. Everything is done in-house, so even with the extra steps, it’s still exceptionally fast.
Canadian orders can say goodbye to unexpected duties, additional customs fees and exchange rate fluctuations; all our prices are clear and upfront.
For international orders, we take care of providing the declarations documents on items from foreign countries.
We know choosing a knife online isn’t always easy. To make things stress-free, we offer a flexible 30-day Return Policy on regular-priced items. Take a look at our full policy for all the details!
◻️ Contact Us
We are at your service through email, social media, or even by phone, where you can have a direct conversation with one of our team members during our business hours.
Whether you require assistance with your existing product, have inquiries about a potential purchase, need more specific details, additional photos, or even a video to get a better sense of the product in a real human hand, we've got you covered.
Don't hesitate to get in touch.