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Tsunehisa  |  SKU: TNHS-G3MG-SA165

Tsunehisa Ginsan Migaki Santoku 165mm

Sale price $169.99 Regular price $199.95

Availability

  • St Peters
    2 Bishop St Unit 2 St Peters NSW 2044
  • Crows Nest
    107 West St, Crows Nest NSW 2065
    Pickup only

Add a saya or K&S Knife Roll to receive $20 bundle discount!

Detailed Specifications
Line Tsunehisa Ginsan Migaki
Profile Santoku / Santoku
Bevel Type Double Bevel
Weight 126 g | 4.4 oz
Edge Length 167 mm | 6 37/64″
Heel Height 47 mm | 1 27/32″
Width @ Heel 2.9 mm | 7/64″
Width @ Mid 1.7 mm | 1/16″
Width @ 1cm from Tip 1.1 mm | 3/64″
Steel Ginsan / Silver #3 | Stainless
Blade Construction Sanmai - Stainless Clad
Hardness (HRC) 60 - 62
Surface Finish Migaki
Handle Octagonal Teak Handle
Region Fukuyama
Best for
  • First-timers
  • Household
  • Free shipping for knives over AU$200 Australia wide.
  • World-wide shipping via DHL Express, 3 to 5 days.


Most of Tsunehisa's entry level lineup leans into thin, penetration-focused geometry — the Ginsan Nashiji being a good example of that approach. The Ginsan Migaki takes a different stance. The spine is kept a touch thicker, which gives the blade enough material to build a more pronounced convex grind, and that shifts the focus from cutting resistance to food release. It's a deliberate trade-off, and one that makes this line an interesting alternative within the same brand and steel.

The steel is Ginsan (Silver #3), a straightforward stainless steel that is one of the easiest to sharpen among its peers and develops a clean, stable edge without any of the maintenance concerns of carbon steel. It sits a notch below VG10 in edge retention — which is the more common steel at this price range — but for home cooks who sharpen regularly, that gap is rarely felt in practice. What Ginsan does particularly well is reward frequent touching up, which suits the household and first-timer audience this line is aimed at.

The geometry is where this line earns its place. The convex grind means slices peel away from the blade surface naturally as the cut follows through, which is a notably different experience from the thinner, flatter options commonly found at entry level. There is some additional thickness behind the edge compared to the Nashiji, so the very start of the cut into denser food like carrot or sweet potato has a little more resistance — but once the blade is through the skin, the convex takes over and the cut flows cleanly. The Migaki finish is clean and unpretentious, which suits the knife's character well — no hammered textures or wavy cladding lines, just a simple polished surface that's easy to maintain and looks tidy on a magnetic strip.

Priced at roughly 20% more than the Nashiji, the Migaki is worth considering if food release matters more to you than outright cutting speed, or if you prefer a cleaner, more minimal aesthetic over the Nashiji's more textured look. For first-time Japanese knife buyers and home cooks who want something reliable and genuinely pleasant to use, this is a solid choice.

Pros Cons
  • Budget friendly
  • Excellent performance
  • Ideal entry point to Japanese knives
  • On the thicker side
Care Instruction
  1. Don't cut hard things! Japanese knives are brittle so bone hacking is a NO NO!
  2. Wash with neutral detergent after use, and wipe dry;
  3. Please don't wash knife with dishwasher, it will damage the wood handle;
  4. Be careful not to leave the knife close to a heat source for a long time;
  5. It is a lot more dangerous to cut with a blunt knife than a sharp knife!
  6. It is best to sharpen a Japanese knife regularly on a waterstone.

Tsunehisa

Tsunehisa — Japan's Regions, One Brand

Tsunehisa isn’t tied to one workshop – it’s a celebration of all Japan’s great knife regions. Think Sakai’s laser-precision grinds, Tosa’s mastery of steels like Ginsan, and the distinct traditions of other forging hubs, all united under one brand. By pooling this regional expertise, Tsunehisa delivers exceptional handmade quality at surprisingly accessible prices.

Each knife reflects thoughtful design and rigorous quality control by the Ironclad group (led by Shibata Takayuki). You get authentic techniques – hand-forging, perfect heat treats – paired with modern functionality and Japan's finest steels. Clean aesthetics ensure they look as good as they perform.

Tsunehisa believes a great knife should be a lifelong companion. That’s why they combine serious performance with dedicated after-sales care, including sharpening support. It’s genuine Japanese craftsmanship, distilled for cooks who value both heritage and smart value.

Read more

Forget choosing between Japan's legendary knife-making regions. Tsunehisa brings them all to your kitchen. This innovative brand acts as a curator, sourcing blades from specialist workshops across Sakai, Tosa, and other iconic forging centers – each area contributing its centuries-old expertise. Sakai brings its peerless precision and mastery of carbon steels; Tosa counters with exceptional stainless like the coveted Ginsan (Silver #3); other regions add their own unique forging signatures. This collaborative approach is Tsunehisa’s superpower: harnessing diverse, hyper-specialized skills to create knives offering incredible value without compromising on authentic craftsmanship.

Under the stewardship of Shibata Takayuki's Ironclad group, Tsunehisa maintains a relentless focus on quality and thoughtful design. Experienced staff meticulously inspect every single knife – ensuring consistent geometry, flawless heat treatment, and perfect fit-and-finish before it ever leaves Japan. The result? Blades that feel substantial yet balanced, with grinds that glide through ingredients and steels that take and hold a devastating edge.

Aesthetics are clean, purposeful, and timeless. You won’t find unnecessary ornamentation, but rather a focus on elegant lines, comfortable wa (Japanese) or yo (Western) handles, and finishes that highlight the beauty of the materials – whether it’s the subtle sheen of Ginsan, the rustic charm of kurouchi, or the mesmerizing layers of Damascus cladding.

But Tsunehisa’s commitment extends far beyond the sale. They understand a true kitchen companion needs lifelong support. That’s why they emphasize robust after-sales service, offering maintenance guidance and professional sharpening options to keep your knife performing flawlessly for decades. It’s this combination – regional mastery, rigorous quality control, accessible pricing, and dedicated support – that makes Tsunehisa a standout choice. It’s not just a knife; it’s your gateway to experiencing the breadth and depth of Japan’s blade-making heritage, designed to become an indispensable, cherished part of your cooking journey.

“Not one workshop — a curated showcase of Japan's best knife regions, sharpened by Shibata.”

Est. 2015 | 平成27年
Known for Multi-region sourced knives, value-focused, finished by Takayuki Shibata
Read more about Tsunehisa
Tsunehisa — Fukuyama
Profile: Santoku
Profile

Santoku

Santoku

The Santoku(三徳) knife, embodying the meaning "three uses," is a cornerstone in Japanese kitchens, adept at slicing, dicing, and mincing. Esteemed for its versatility, it features a blade length typically between 15cm and 20cm (6 to 8 inches), catering to a wide array of culinary tasks. Distinguished by its less pointy tip compared to the Gyuto, the Santoku boasts a unique profile that contributes to its functionality and popularity. Its design is more controllable in chopping and slicing, and the profile is less aggressive, for those reasons, it has bacame a preferred choice for home cooks.
Composition

Ginsan / Silver #3 Element Composition

Compare with
    Ginsan / Silver #3
    13.0% 9.8% 6.5% 3.3% 0
    C Carbon 1.0%
    Primary hardening element. Raises hardness and wear resistance — but too much increases brittleness and corrosion susceptibility. As a reference: German 1.4112 (~0.5%) sits at the low end; VG-10 (~1.0%) is a common mid-range; SG2 (1.25–1.45%) and ZDP-189 (~3.0%) represent high and extreme ends respectively.
    C
    1.0%
    Cr Chromium 13.0%
    Raises corrosion resistance; 13%+ qualifies steel as stainless. Also improves hardenability and wear resistance. In kitchen use, higher chromium levels contribute to a slight drag or sticking sensation when cutting — a trade-off for the rust resistance it provides.
    Cr
    13.0%
    Mn Manganese 0.7%
    Aids hardenability and strength. Acts as a deoxidiser during smelting. Excess can reduce toughness.
    Mn
    0.7%
    Si Silicon 0.35%
    Strengthens the steel matrix and acts as a deoxidiser. Improves hardness and resistance to oxidation.
    Si
    0.35%
    P Phosphorus 0.03%
    Impurity from the smelting process. Even small amounts cause brittleness — steelmakers keep this as low as possible.
    P
    0.03%
    S Sulfur 0.02%
    Impurity that reduces toughness and promotes brittleness. Intentionally added only in free-machining steels.
    S
    0.02%
    C — Carbon Cr — Chromium Mn — Manganese Si — Silicon P — Phosphorus S — Sulfur
    Hardness 60–62 HRC
    555759616365+
    Steel
    Ginsan / Silver #3
    Category
    Stainless
    Manufacturer
    Hitachi Special Steel, Japan 🇯🇵
    Hardness
    60–62 HRC
    Steel

    Ginsan / Silver #3

    • Manufacturer
      • Hitachi Special Steel, Japan
    • Nature Stainless
    • Hardness60–62 HRC
    Ginsan steel, also known as Silver 3 or G3 steel, is a type of stainless steel used in high-quality kitchen knives. It is appreciated for its ability to offer the traditional feel and sharpness of carbon steel while providing the corrosion resistance of stainless steel. Ginsan steel contains a moderate amount of carbon, chromium, and other alloying elements that ensure a good balance between edge retention and ease of sharpening. This steel is particularly favored for its fine grain structure, which allows for a very sharp edge, and its resistance to rust makes it a popular choice among professional chefs and home cooks who seek the performance of carbon steel without the maintenance challenges. Ginsan steel knives are known for their durability, ease of care, and excellent cutting performance, making them a preferred option for those looking for high-quality stainless steel cutlery.
    Construction: Sanmai - Stainless Clad
    Construction

    Sanmai - Stainless Clad

    Sanmai(Three-Piece) is a common construction for double bevel knives where two pieces of softer cladding steel are forgewelded to each side of a harder core steel. The harder but more brittle core steel will form the hard cutting edge after heat treating, and the softer cladding will support the core to increase the overall strength of the blade.

    The soft cladding enables the thinning process to be a lot easier than a honyaki or monosteel construction. And in the case where the cladding steel are stainless in nature, it can offer protection for the carbon or semi-stainless cores against rusting and discoluoring.

    Finish: Migaki
    Finish

    Migaki

    "Migaki" means "polished" or "shined" in Japanese, The term "Migaki finish" in the context of Japanese kitchen knives indeed does not exclusively refer to a mirror polish but encompasses a broader range of polished finishes that can vary from semi-gloss to a more refined, subtle sheen, rather than a highly reflective surface. The primary goal of a Migaki finish is to enhance the knife's functionality and aesthetic appeal, focusing on a smooth finish that improves resistance to corrosion and minimizes drag during cutting, rather than achieving a purely mirror-like appearance.

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    Frequently asked questions

    Gyuto or santoku - which should I choose?

    Both are all-purpose Japanese knives, and for most home cooks either will handle the bulk of daily prep. The choice comes down to length, blade shape, and how you like to cut.

    A gyuto is the Japanese chef's knife - typically 210 to 240mm with a gently curved edge that lets you rock and slide through cuts as well as chop. The extra length and pointed tip give you reach and versatility, from proteins to large produce.

    A santoku is shorter, usually 165 to 180mm, with a flatter profile and a rounded sheep's-foot tip. It rewards a straight up-and-down push cut, feels nimble in smaller hands or tight kitchens, and is the classic Japanese household knife.

    Rule of thumb: choose a gyuto if you want one do-everything knife with more reach, or a santoku if you prefer a compact, easy-to-control blade. Plenty of our customers end up owning both.

    ✓ Verified by Knives and Stones · James Zhang · Reviewed 29 May 2026

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