Kawatsu Hamono 'Haisu' Stainless Santoku 165mm

The Japanese language has an endearing habit of localising foreign words and expressions. In the realm of kitchen knives 'high speed steel' becomes 'haisu', shorthand for the high speed steel that knife makers heat treat, sharpen and attach to their handle of choice. 

Kawatsu san employs haisu to produce this beautifully tidy santoku in his beautifully tidy workspace in the mountains of Fukuoka. Sharpness, stainless convenience, a handsome wa-handle that feels just right in the hand. We like these knives.

Haisu is a premium cutlery steel. Also known as tool steel, it's a very hard steel that offers satisfying cutting feel and superior edge life. The flip side is that it is slow to sharpen. Purchasers would be well advised to invest in a diamond hone.