Discount Store Shigeki Tanaka Blue #2 Santoku

First Impressions

The relatively tall profile and smooth tapering create a good edge from the start and the knife is easy to hold and well balanced. There’s a lot to like and enjoy when using this and you can feel the experience and skill that’s gone into the making of it.

Beauty

With two finishes in the Blue #2 range – the “migaki” which is a polished finish that isn’t quite as highly polished as amirror finish and the “nashiji” which is essentially a kurouchi finish but much smoother you have some nice options and contrast. Depending on your preference the finishes are both well done and smooth in hand.

In Hand

A traditional octagonal wa handle in rosewood with a black pakka ferrule is well fitted and the blade finish around the heel is ever so slightly rounded off to make it a very comfortable knife to hold and manouver.

Durability

Blue #2 is widely used and popular among many blacksmiths because it is easy to sharpen and retains an edge well so when paired with a stainless cladding the knife will last well and be something you’ll be reaching for time and again.

Ease of Care

As the core steel that forms the cutting edge is reactive, it will develop a beautiful patina over time and use but beyond that, caring for the knife and maintaining its sharpness is as easy as rinsing and drying after use and honing it with a ceramic rod to keep the edge in top condition.

Our Verdict

Shigeki Tanaka has made this range to sit perfectly at a price point that allows for the use of a popular and robust steel that takes and holds an edge well and performs excellently without being too costly so it’s a perfect range to consider as a first knife or an addition to an existing collection.