Magma · Damascus Santoku Knife 7", side view
Magma · Damascus Santoku Knife 7", in the kitchen (photo 1)
Magma · Damascus Santoku Knife 7", in the kitchen (photo 2)
Magma · Damascus Santoku Knife 7", in the kitchen (photo 3)
Magma · Damascus Santoku Knife 7", in the kitchen (photo 4)
Magma · Damascus Santoku Knife 7", in the kitchen (photo 5)
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MagmaDamascus Santoku Knife 7"

$149 $189 Free tracked shipping
Blade length
7" (18 cm)
Steel
37-layer “diamond” damascus with copper tones, 10Cr15CoMoV core
Hardness
60 ± 2 HRC
Handle
Black G10, resin and copper mesh, decorative mosaic pin

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At 5.7 oz, the Magma santoku is the lightest of the full-size knives in the series, ahead of the nakiri (6.1 oz) and the chef knife (6.2 oz). Less weight means less wrist fatigue during big vegetable prep. The flat 7-inch blade, 48 mm tall, cuts with a forward push, from bell peppers to fish. The 37-layer “diamond” damascus picks up copper tones, and the faceted G10 handle stays firm even when wet.

Santoku means “three virtues” in Japanese: meat, fish and vegetables. The blade is shorter and flatter than a chef knife, with a dropped tip, so you cut with a forward push instead of a rocking motion. Very nimble, ideal if most of your prep is vegetables. Japanese-style blade, thin and hard.

Blade and Handle

The Magma Damascus Santoku Knife 7" has a blade made of 37 layers of damascus steel around a 10Cr15CoMoV steel core, hardened to 60 ± 2 HRC. Its copper-toned “diamond” pattern gives a raw, almost hand-forged look, far from classic grey damascus. The faceted Japanese-style handle combines black G10, resin and copper mesh. G10 is a very stable composite: it does not swell with water and stays firm in the hand.

Shipping and Returns

Damascus Knife ships free with tracking across the United States: 1 to 3 business days to prepare, then 8 to 14 business days in transit, import duties included. You have 30 days after delivery to return your order.

See also: Damascus Santoku Knives · Magma Copper Damascus Knives

In the kitchen

Our knives at work

the board after dinner
Magma · the board after dinner
watermelon on the terrace
Azur · watermelon on the terrace
salmon in a tiny kitchen
Marea · salmon in a tiny kitchen
the Christmas gift
Iris · the Christmas gift
steak at the campsite
Cobalt · steak at the campsite
a late-night tomato
Carmin · a late-night tomato
first cooking lesson
Cosmos · first cooking lesson

Our models in use (styled scenes).

Magma · Damascus Santoku Knife 7", side view

Fig. 01 · Damascus Santoku Knife 7"

Specs

The blade, by the numbers

Steel37-layer “diamond” damascus with copper tones, 10Cr15CoMoV core
Layers37
Hardness60 ± 2 HRC
Blade length7" (18 cm)
Overall length12.5 in (31.7 cm)
Blade height48 mm
Spine thickness2 mm
HandleBlack G10, resin and copper mesh, decorative mosaic pin
Weight5.7 oz (162 g)
EdgeDouble bevel
SKUCD-CU-SANT18

Care

3 habits, years of sharp

01

Hand-wash it

Warm water, a drop of dish soap. Never the dishwasher.

02

Dry it right away

One towel, ten seconds. Never leave it in the sink.

03

Sharpen on a stone

1000 grit rebuilds the edge. Low, steady angle.

Questions

Before you buy

What is a santoku knife used for?

Slicing, dicing and chopping vegetables, meat and fish. It is a versatile knife, more compact than a chef knife, with a flat blade that cuts in one forward stroke.

Why do some santoku knives have dimples?

Dimples reduce sticking with wet foods like potatoes. A smooth blade cuts just as well; slide the slice off with the flat of the blade.

What is G10?

G10 is a fiberglass and epoxy resin composite widely used for knife handles. It does not swell with water, does not crack, and keeps a good grip even when wet. In this series it is combined with resin and a decorative copper mesh.

Do I need to oil my Damascus knife?

You only need to oil a Damascus knife regularly if the blade is carbon steel or the handle is unfinished wood. A thin coat of food-safe mineral oil or camellia oil protects against moisture. Stainless Damascus needs oil only now and then, for storage. Avoid WD-40 and cooking oils that turn sticky on a kitchen knife.

Can Damascus knives go in the dishwasher?

No, Damascus knives should never go in the dishwasher. Heat, long exposure to moisture and harsh detergents dull the pattern, encourage rust and damage the handle. The blade also knocks against dishes and loses its edge. Hand-washing with warm soapy water and drying immediately takes under a minute and keeps the knife in shape.

Can you sharpen a Damascus knife?

Yes, you can sharpen a Damascus knife like any kitchen knife, ideally on a whetstone. A medium grit around 1000 rebuilds the edge and a finer stone polishes it. Japanese-style blades are usually sharpened at a lower angle than Western knives. Skip pull-through sharpeners, which are too harsh for hard steel, and use a ceramic honing rod between sessions.

Which Japanese-style knife should I buy first?

The best first Japanese-style knife is a chef knife (gyuto) or a santoku. Both slice, dice and chop meat, fish and vegetables, so one blade covers most daily cooking. Pick a gyuto if you like a longer blade and rocking cuts, a santoku if you prefer a shorter, lighter knife. Add a nakiri later if you cook a lot of vegetables.