OUL SW Nickel Damascus Santoku 165 mm / 6.5" Black Oak Handle

Agile Everyday Versatility with Damascus Artistry

The OUL SW Nickel Damascus Santoku 165 mm delivers effortless prep performance across meat, fish, and vegetables—the "three virtues" of Japanese kitchen cutlery. Designed for cooks who prioritize agility, board clearance, and refined geometry, this Santoku features a nimble 130 g total weight and a slender 2 mm blade thickness. It glides through dense root produce and proteins with minimal friction and no wedging.

With a generous 45 mm blade width, this knife offers ample knuckle room during high-tempo chopping while functioning as a wide scoop to transfer sliced ingredients directly to cookware.

Swedish Stainless Steel (SW) & Nickel Damascus Cladding

At the core of the cutting edge is high-purity Swedish Stainless Steel (SW). Celebrated for its low-impurity microstructure, Swedish steel takes a clean, razor-sharp edge with the keen sharpening feedback of high-carbon steel, all while providing dependable stainless corrosion resistance.

The cutting core is clad in multi-layered Nickel Damascus, creating an intricate, flowing pattern along the face of the blade. The alternating nickel-alloy layers produce natural surface variance that helps reduce food suction, allowing crisp slices of potatoes, cucumbers, and shallots to release cleanly.

Ergonomic Octagonal Black Oak Handle

The blade is paired with an octagonal Black Oak wood handle, offering dense structural integrity and natural moisture resistance. Its symmetrical, ambidextrous profile provides a secure, balanced grip for both right- and left-handed users during extended kitchen sessions.

What’s in the Box?

• OUL Presentation Box: Japanese presentation packaging for secure gifting and protective storage.
• Protective Edge Sleeve: Guards the factory-honed edge during transit and unboxing.

Authorized OUL Dealer Direct

Every OUL knife is direct-sourced from artisan workshops in Sakai, Japan. Before leaving our climate-controlled Seattle area warehouse, each blade undergoes a physical quality inspection to confirm edge straightness, bevel symmetry, and flush handle alignment.

Care & Maintenance

While the Swedish stainless core and nickel Damascus cladding are rust-resistant, proper care preserves the refined 2 mm cutting geometry:

• Hand-Wash Only: Clean immediately after use with warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft sponge. Towel dry thoroughly. Never wash in a dishwasher.
• Cutting Surfaces: Use soft wood boards or high-density rubber cutting boards. Avoid glass, granite, or bamboo surfaces.
• Avoid Hard Targets: Do not cut bones, frozen foods, hard seeds, or thick shells to avoid micro-chipping the fine edge.
• Sharpening: Maintain the edge on medium-to-fine Japanese whetstones (#1000 to #6000 grit). The fine-grained Swedish stainless steel responds rapidly to whetstones and leather stropping.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does this Santoku differ from a Gyuto? A Santoku is slightly shorter with a flatter profile and a downward-curving "sheep's foot" tip, making it specialized for push-cutting vegetables and working in compact kitchen spaces. A Gyuto is longer with more belly curvature for rocking cuts and slicing larger cuts of meat.

What are the benefits of Swedish Stainless Steel (SW)? Swedish iron ore is known for exceptional metallurgical purity. It allows the blade to achieve and maintain an ultra-keen apex like carbon steel, but without the risk of oxidation, staining, or reactive patina.

Where does this knife ship from? All knives are inspected, packaged, and shipped directly from our warehouse located in the Seattle area.