Hitohira S3 Nashiji Santoku 165mm Pakka Handle (No Bolster)

The Hitohira Futana series are an amazing value for money series, perfect for anyone looking for a high quality Japanese style blade. These are some of our favorite blades around this price point. Very efficiently made knives with good aesthetics and performance. In this series we see S3 and SB lines both with a variety of finishes.
The S3 stands for Silver #3 steel and are completely stainless knives. Silver steel is a high regarded steel with carbon-like features such as its sharpening ease.
The Migaki S3 sports more thickness and taper on the spine and has a more pronounced convex geometry. The heaviest in the series, great reliable more workhorse style knives.
The Nashiji S3 is made from a different stock and is much more affordable. A textured finish and steel quality equally high, ground with flat bevel and great overall cutting performance.

The Santoku is every bit as versatile as a Gyuto, but it’s more at home in everyday cooking. Probably the most used to-go knife at home. It’s easy to handle, super nimble, and great for just about any kitchen task.
The Bunka is a variation of the Santoku, but with a Kiritsuke-style tip. That angled tip gives you extra precision for more delicate or detailed work. Most have a more flat cutting profile which will steer you more towards a forward or backwards chopping motion instead of rolling.
In short, both are fantastic all-rounders, the Bunka just adds a little more finesse.

This is a stainless steel knife. Stainless steel gets its name from the inclusion of chromium (10-13%) in the alloy, which forms a protective film that helps prevent rust and corrosion by acting as a barrier between the metal and oxygen. While stainless steel knives are practical, functional, and easier to maintain than carbon steel, they are not completely maintenance-free. With improper care, they can still rust or develop pitting—after all, "stainless" does not mean "stain-free."

The level of corrosion resistance varies depending on the type of stainless steel used, but the basic principles of care are similar to those for carbon steel knives. To maintain your knife, store it clean and dry, avoid air-drying after washing, never use the dishwasher, and steer clear of cutting extremely hard items like frozen food or bones.
The key advantage of stainless steel over carbon steel is a greater margin for error—its rust resistance is higher, making it easier to maintain with less worry.

Remember, not all stainless steels are the same. Just like with carbon steels, each stainless steel alloy has its own unique properties and performance characteristics, and should be judged individually.