Santoku is a cross between a cooking knife (gyuto) and a chopping knife (nakiri). The tip of the blade, which is directed downwards from the center of the knife, allows you to find a more stable support on the work surface and a larger cutting surface. Well suited for cutting and chopping meat, fish, vegetables and fruits. Santoku is a very popular utility knife in Japanese homes. Thanks to the wider blade, it is very convenient to use the santoku to lift chopped food from the cutting board to the pot.

The Habakiri knife series is made of the best stainless steel alloy SG2 (HRC 62-63). Contrasting damask patterns are hand forged and unique to each knife. The knives of the Habakiri series are equipped with octagonal handles made of dark ebony wood - the knives are light and quick and set the standard for modern Japanese chef's knives.

Shigeki Tanaka is a blacksmith from Miki City, Hyogo, and one of the most famous knife makers of the younger generation in Japan. Tanaka san comes from a family of blacksmiths with a long tradition - his ancestors have held the same profession for 4 generations.

Tanaka san trained as a blacksmith under the skilled masters of Takefu Knife Village in Fukui Prefecture and then returned to Miki to open his own forge.

Tanaka san works dedicatedly with his small team and forges all his blades by hand. He is well versed in various materials and forges both stainless and carbon steel.