The Linoroso packaging is unique since it included a wooden block where you can store the knife. The knife has a mono-steel construction and is made with German steel. The knife handle comes in a very daring design that fits neatly in the included knife block.
German Steel Core Material 1.4116
The 1.4116 German steel is a core material with good stainless properties.
Edge durability & sharpened angle
The knife is sharpened at a 12-degree angle per side. The core material is durable, so you don’t have to worry about chipping.
Edge Retention
The Rockwell hardness of the Linoroso Santoku knife is advertised as 58+. However, during my testing, the blade Rockwell is around 56, significantly lower than advertised. Combined with the knife’s 12 degrees sharpened angle and a Rockwell of 56, the knife edge can last around one month with regular honing sessions before needing whetstone maintenance.
Weight and Spine tapering
The weight of around 195 grams is on the heavy side for a 6-inch Santoku. The blade does have distal spine tapering. The heel thickness is 2.3mm, 2.2mm in the middle, and 1.5mm at the front (measured 1.5cm away from the point).
Knife handle
The knife handle design is on the unique side. It is a full tang handle with a design that I have not seen on any other knives. However, the knife design sacrifices the comfort of the handle.
Holding the knife at the bolster area is comfortable, but I’m losing grip on my pinky and ring finger. The balance point of this knife is also not helping either.
If I point the knife up, the handle is very comfortable with no problems at all.
Since this is a Santoku, I use it with a cutting board, and for that purpose, the handle is not comfortable.
Knife balance point
The balance point of this knife is at the handle.
If you pinch grip at the bolster or blade, the knife will be back-heavy. Combined with the handle design and knife style, the balance point is working against you with your cutting task on the cutting board.
Knuckle Clearance
The knuckle clearance is also not helping either with the balance point. As with most back-heavy knives, it is comfortable to use a rocking motion, but there is pretty much no knuckle clearance.
Blade profile
The blade profile is more on the hybrid side of a Santoku knife profile.
Final Conclusion and my Recommendation
The included knife block is a nice add-on. The fit and finish are good. However, Linorosso went too much into the design aspect without thinking about the knife’s actual functionality.
The knife handle is odd, especially if you have a medium to large hand size. The advertised Rockwell hardness of 58+ is not reached in my review sample, and it came close to 56.
Combined with the balance point at the back and no knuckle clearance, the knife is working against you with your cutting task. The appeal of the knife storage block and aesthetic are excellent and promising, especially for home cooks. Unfortunately, the design and aesthetic to fit the knife block is sacrificing functionality.
The grantons are also questionable since it is only on one side, and as a right-handed person, I don’t see the potential of having them on one side.
🛒S H O P:
Linoroso Official Store:
NA: Linoroso Store
EU: Linoroso Store
N O T E S:
The Linoroso Santoku Mako review sample has been provided by Linoroso. However, I’m not getting paid to make this article or video. No one will get a chance to preview my footage or thoughts before the video and article go up on youtube or my website.
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