Overview

The Nigara Irodori Blue #2 Rainbow Damascus Santoku 180mm with ebony and horn handle is a versatile Japanese kitchen knife built for everyday prep. It uses a Blue #2 carbon steel core with stainless rainbow damascus cladding, giving you the edge feel and sharpening response of carbon steel with added corrosion resistance on the outside layers. This santoku is well suited for slicing vegetables, proteins, herbs, and general board work, with a profile that feels compact, controllable, and efficient.

The listed size is 180mm, though the actual edge length is closer to 170mm. That gives it a nimble feel while still providing enough length for most home and professional kitchen tasks. The tall blade offers good knuckle clearance and helps with food transfer, while the ebony and horn handle gives the knife a more traditional and premium feel in hand.

Because the core steel is carbon, this knife should be wiped dry during use and cleaned promptly after prep. It will reward good care with excellent edge performance and an easy sharpening experience compared with many harder-wearing powdered steels. For maintenance, a light coat of Tsubaki oil is useful for storage, and a few passes on a leather strop can help maintain the edge between sharpenings.

Common Questions

Q: Is this knife suitable for home cooks?

A: Yes. A santoku is one of the most practical Japanese knife shapes for home use because it is easy to control and versatile across many common kitchen tasks. This one is a higher-end option, so it is a good fit for cooks who want better cutting performance and do not mind basic carbon steel care.

Q: What is Blue #2 steel like to use?

A: Blue #2 is known for taking a very keen edge, holding it well, and being relatively straightforward to sharpen. It has a crisp cutting feel and works very well for users who want strong performance without moving into extremely wear-resistant steels that can be slower to sharpen.

Q: How should I care for this knife?

A: Hand wash only, dry it right away, and do not leave it wet on the board or in the sink. Avoid twisting cuts, bones, and frozen foods. A knife-friendly board like a Hasegawa Pro Cutting Board will also help protect the edge.

Specifications

Core Steel: Blue #2 / Aogami #2

Cladding Type: Stainless rainbow damascus clad

Blade Length: 180mm listed length

Actual Edge Length: Approx. 170mm

Blade Height at Heel: Approx. 50mm

Overall Length: Specs not found

Spine Thickness (Heel): Approx. 3.4mm

Spine Thickness (Mid): Approx. 2.4mm

Spine Thickness (1cm from Tip): Approx. 1.0mm

Weight: Approx. 170g

Handle Material: Ebony with horn ferrule

Hardness (HRC): Approx. 61–63

Bevel: Double bevel

Region: Hyogo, Japan

Finish: Rainbow damascus