NAGOMI Damascus VG10 Santoku 180mm

NAGOMI Damascus VG10 Santoku 180mm

NAGOMI is a knife brand by Mitsuboshi Cutlery, a manufacturer with over 140 years of history based in Seki, Japan, one of the world’s most renowned cutlery-producing cities. The brand was born from a collaboration between Mitsuboshi’s fifth-generation president, Takahisa Watanabe, a descendant of sword smiths, and his wife, whose firsthand feedback from home cooks drove the development brief. The result is a knife built to deliver professional-grade sharpness in a format that is genuinely practical and easy to maintain for everyday use. Every knife is finished by hand by skilled craftsmen and inspected using precision instruments before leaving the workshop.

The Damascus line sits above the Regular range, bringing a higher-performance core steel, a layered Damascus cladding pattern, and a more refined overall aesthetic while retaining the same philosophy of harmony between sharpness and ease of care that defines the NAGOMI brand. It is designed for cooks who want a step up in both cutting performance and visual presence, without sacrificing the low-maintenance character that makes NAGOMI accessible.

The Santoku is Japan’s all-purpose kitchen knife, its name meaning “three virtues” for its ability to handle meat, fish, and vegetables equally well. At 180mm it sits in the most versatile part of the range, long enough for most prep tasks but compact and well-balanced for extended use. The blade has a flat profile with a gentle curve toward the tip, making it well suited to the push-cutting and chopping style most home cooks use naturally. It is an excellent choice as a first Japanese knife or as a reliable daily driver alongside more specialist blades.

Steel & Construction

At the core is VG10, a premium Japanese stainless steel developed in Fukui Prefecture and widely regarded as one of the best performing stainless steels in its class. VG10 contains added cobalt which improves hardenability and allows the steel to be hardened to a higher level while retaining toughness, resulting in a fine, acute edge that holds well through regular use. The core is clad in layers of softer stainless steel, which protects the harder core, absorbs impact during cutting, and produces the flowing Damascus surface pattern visible on the blade. The combination delivers a knife that is sharp, durable, corrosion resistant, and visually refined.

Maintenance & Care

The fully stainless construction makes this knife straightforward to maintain. Hand-wash and dry after use, and avoid leaving it wet or soaking in a sink. VG10 is hardened for performance, so avoid cutting bones, frozen foods, or hard-shelled ingredients to prevent chipping. The edge responds very well to whetstone sharpening and regular stropping will extend time between full sharpenings. With proper care this knife will hold a strong edge through consistent everyday use.

Best for: Meat, fish, vegetables, everyday home and professional prep

Kitchen Samurai Ease of Use Rating: High-Performance All-Rounder – A step up in sharpness and edge retention with the same low-maintenance stainless character

HRC: 61

MADE IN JAPAN