Hezhen 5.5" Santoku
A compact Santoku ideal for smaller tasks or for those who prefer a more agile, shorter blade in the kitchen.
Pros
- +Highly agile
- +Sharp core
- +Compact storage
Cons
- −Too small for squash
- −Small handle
Full review
Design
The Hezhen 5.5" Junior Santoku is built around 67-layer damascus 10cr15comov at 60-62 HRC, paired with a pakkawood handle. A compact Santoku ideal for smaller tasks or for those who prefer a more agile, shorter blade in the kitchen. The blade profile is a proper santoku — tall and flat for clean push cuts on the board.
Edge retention
67-layer Damascus 10Cr15CoMoV run at 60-62 HRC is a sensible target for this style of knife — hard enough to hold a fine edge through weeks of use, forgiving enough to touch up on a ceramic rod or 1000/6000 stone without micro-chipping. Expect a strop every couple of weeks with daily use and a full stone session every few months.
Ergonomics
The pakkawood handle is comfortable in either hand, with a balance point that sits right around the bolster for a neutral pinch grip. The spine and choil are eased so long prep sessions don't leave hot spots, and the 5.5" blade length is a solid all-round choice for the santoku format.
Value
At around $68 shipped, this competes with mid-tier Japanese-branded santokus that cost roughly double, and the fit and finish holds up to the comparison. You're paying for the steel, the cladding, and a real pakkawood handle — not a stamped blade with a plastic grip. As with most factory grinds in this bracket, a short session on a stone taking the edge down to a finer angle makes it noticeably sharper.
Specifications
| Brand | Hezhen |
|---|---|
| Type | Santoku |
| Blade Material | 67-layer Damascus 10Cr15CoMoV |
| Core Hardness | 60-62 HRC |
| Blade Length | 5.5" |
| Handle Material | Pakkawood |
| Edge Angle | 15° per side |
| Origin | Mainland China |
| Price | $68 |
Perfect for quick prep work and households that favor smaller knife profiles.
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