{"product_id":"xinzuo-santoku-knife-aogami-no2-steel-maple-buffalo-horn-handle","title":"XINZUO Santoku Knife 7.24\" Aogami No.2 Steel | Maple Horn Handle","description":"\n\u003ch2\u003eXINZUO Zhen QE Series – 7.24 Inch Santoku Knife\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElevate your kitchen craft with the \u003cstrong\u003eXINZUO Zhen QE Series Santoku Knife\u003c\/strong\u003e — a masterpiece of Japanese knife-making tradition. Forged from authentic \u003cstrong\u003eSanyo Riki Aogami No.2 (Blue Steel No.2) composite steel\u003c\/strong\u003e and clad in a polished Damascus-style finish, this 7.24-inch santoku delivers razor-sharp, consistent cutting performance for every kitchen task, from slicing fish to chopping vegetables and mincing herbs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e⚠️ Important Care Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e Aogami (Blue Steel) No.2 is a traditional high-carbon Japanese steel prized for its exceptional sharpness and ease of resharpening. However, it is reactive — it can develop rust or a natural patina if left wet or exposed to moisture. \u003cstrong\u003eAlways hand wash and thoroughly dry the blade immediately after use.\u003c\/strong\u003e If you prefer a low-maintenance blade, please consider this carefully before purchasing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlade Length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.24 inches (18.4 cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandle Length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 13.8 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlade Material:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sanyo Riki Aogami No.2 Composite Damascus Steel\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCore Hardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 62–64 HRC\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEdge Angle:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15° ± 1° per side\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSharpness Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.0–8.0 N (international standard cutting force)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandle Material:\u003c\/strong\u003e Octagonal Maple Wood + White Buffalo Horn\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSurface Finish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mirror polished — elegant, high-end appearance\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCertifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e CIQ, EEC, LFGB\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePackaging:\u003c\/strong\u003e Exquisitely designed gift box included\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy You'll Love This Knife\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e🔪 \u003cstrong\u003eExtreme Sharpness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 62–64 HRC hardness means a scalpel-like edge that holds longer between sharpenings\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e🌊 \u003cstrong\u003eDamascus Layered Beauty:\u003c\/strong\u003e The polished multi-layer cladding creates a stunning visual pattern unique to every blade\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e🤝 \u003cstrong\u003eErgonomic Octagonal Handle:\u003c\/strong\u003e The maple wood and white buffalo horn wa-style handle fits naturally in the hand, reducing wrist fatigue during extended prep sessions\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e⚖️ \u003cstrong\u003eLightweight \u0026amp; Balanced:\u003c\/strong\u003e Designed for agility, making intricate cuts feel effortless\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e🎁 \u003cstrong\u003ePerfect Gift:\u003c\/strong\u003e Arrives in a premium gift box — an ideal present for home chefs, culinary students, and knife enthusiasts\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e♻️ \u003cstrong\u003eEco-Friendly Construction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Natural materials chosen for sustainability and longevity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat Can You Do With a Santoku Knife?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe santoku (\"three virtues\") knife excels at three core cutting tasks: \u003cstrong\u003eslicing, dicing, and mincing\u003c\/strong\u003e. Its flat blade profile and slightly curved tip make it ideal for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThinly slicing fish, meat, and poultry\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePrecise vegetable julienne and chiffonade cuts\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMincing garlic, ginger, and fresh herbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDelicate work where a larger chef's knife feels unwieldy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCare Instructions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAlways \u003cstrong\u003ehand wash only\u003c\/strong\u003e — never put in the dishwasher\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRinse and \u003cstrong\u003edry immediately\u003c\/strong\u003e after each use to prevent moisture contact\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eStore on a magnetic knife rack or in a knife block — never loose in a drawer\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eUse a ceramic or fine whetstone for resharpening to maintain the 15° edge angle\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eApply a light coat of food-safe camellia oil if storing for extended periods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMade in Mainland China.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eExplore More Kitchen Essentials\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/2-8l-beverage-dispenser-with-spigot-fridge-drink-dispenser\"\u003e2.8L Beverage Dispenser with Spigot – Fridge Drink Dispenser\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/cordless-rechargeable-milk-frother-coffee-foam-egg-whisk\"\u003eCordless Rechargeable Milk Frother – Coffee Foam \u0026amp; Egg Whisk\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/handheld-electric-milk-frother-battery-powered-foam-maker\"\u003eHandheld Electric Milk Frother – Battery Powered Foam Maker\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLearn more: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nutrition.gov\/topics\/shopping-cooking-and-food-safety\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eNutrition.gov on cooking and food safety\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eQ: What makes Aogami No.2 (Blue Steel) different from regular stainless steel knife blades?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA: Aogami No.2 is a high-carbon Japanese steel known for achieving exceptional hardness (62–64 HRC on this knife), which allows the blade to hold a finer, sharper edge for longer than most stainless steels. The trade-off is that it is reactive to moisture and acidic foods, meaning it requires prompt drying after use. Many serious chefs and knife collectors prize Aogami steel precisely for its superior edge retention and how easily it can be resharpened on a whetstone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eQ: Is the XINZUO Zhen QE Santoku Knife suitable as a gift?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA: Absolutely. The knife ships in a beautifully crafted gift box, making it a standout present for cooking enthusiasts, professional chefs, or anyone who appreciates fine kitchen tools. The combination of the polished Damascus-style blade and the natural maple wood and white buffalo horn octagonal handle gives it a premium, heirloom-quality appearance that's hard to match at this level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eQ: How do I maintain and resharpen this knife?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA: For best results, use a Japanese whetstone (800–1000 grit for regular maintenance, 3000–6000 grit for finishing) and maintain the factory-set 15° angle per side. Avoid honing rods with rough surfaces, as they can chip the hard Aogami core. After sharpening, rinse, dry thoroughly, and optionally apply a thin layer of food-safe camellia or mineral oil to protect the blade from moisture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eQ: Can I wash this knife in the dishwasher?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA: No — dishwashers are not suitable for this knife. The harsh detergents, heat, and prolonged moisture exposure will cause the Aogami steel to rust rapidly and can also crack or warp the natural wood handle. Always hand wash gently with mild soap and water, then dry immediately with a soft cloth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What makes Aogami No.2 (Blue Steel) different from regular stainless steel knife blades?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Aogami No.2 is a high-carbon Japanese steel known for achieving exceptional hardness (62–64 HRC on this knife), which allows the blade to hold a finer, sharper edge for longer than most stainless steels. The trade-off is that it is reactive to moisture and acidic foods, meaning it requires prompt drying after use. Many serious chefs and knife collectors prize Aogami steel precisely for its superior edge retention and how easily it can be resharpened on a whetstone.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is the XINZUO Zhen QE Santoku Knife suitable as a gift?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Absolutely. The knife ships in a beautifully crafted gift box, making it a standout present for cooking enthusiasts, professional chefs, or anyone who appreciates fine kitchen tools. The combination of the polished Damascus-style blade and the natural maple wood and white buffalo horn octagonal handle gives it a premium, heirloom-quality appearance that's hard to match at this level.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How do I maintain and resharpen this knife?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"For best results, use a Japanese whetstone (800–1000 grit for regular maintenance, 3000–6000 grit for finishing) and maintain the factory-set 15° angle per side. Avoid honing rods with rough surfaces, as they can chip the hard Aogami core. After sharpening, rinse, dry thoroughly, and optionally apply a thin layer of food-safe camellia or mineral oil to protect the blade from moisture.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can I wash this knife in the dishwasher?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"No — dishwashers are not suitable for this knife. The harsh detergents, heat, and prolonged moisture exposure will cause the Aogami steel to rust rapidly and can also crack or warp the natural wood handle. Always hand wash gently with mild soap and water, then dry immediately with a soft cloth.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\", \"itemListElement\": [{\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 1, \"name\": \"Home\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/n8ande-60.myshopify.com\/\"}, {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 2, \"name\": \"Home page\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/n8ande-60.myshopify.com\/collections\/frontpage\"}, {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 3, \"name\": \"XINZUO Santoku Knife 7.24\\\" Aogami No.2 Steel | Maple Horn Handle\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/n8ande-60.myshopify.com\/products\/xinzuo-santoku-knife-aogami-no2-steel-maple-buffalo-horn-handle\"}]}\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Axl","offers":[{"title":"with Wooden sheath","offer_id":44158242717783,"sku":"14:350850#with Wooden sheath","price":452.64,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Knife","offer_id":44158242750551,"sku":"14:366#Knife","price":421.09,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0676\/6008\/7383\/files\/Se6b14272e3ff4768b92eb51d58b760021.webp?v=1786600869","url":"https:\/\/axlcustomersupport.com\/products\/xinzuo-santoku-knife-aogami-no2-steel-maple-buffalo-horn-handle","provider":"Axl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}