The KESSAKU 12-inch Carving Knife from the Samurai Series is generally quite sharp right out of the box. It's designed to make slicing through meats a breeze, from simple roasts to more challenging cuts.
The manufacturer's description mentions that the knife has a razor-sharp Granton-edge blade made from high carbon 7Cr17MoV stainless steel. This material not only keeps the knife durable but also does a good job resisting corrosion, so it's built to last even with regular use.
The knife also has a full tang construction with a Pakka Wood handle for a balanced and comfortable grip, enhancing the carving experience.
As for its sharpness, the knife is hand-honed to a 16-degree edge using the Honbazuke method. According to our research, this technique plays a big role in its initial sharpness, making it great for tasks like slicing brisket and pork shoulders with ease.
That said, a few users felt it needed a bit more sharpening to meet their personal sharpness standards, though this seems to be a minor issue compared to the largely positive feedback.
There are some nice extras too, like a gift box and a blade guard, which could make it a nice gift option. A few people mentioned small inconsistencies, like the laser-etched patterns not perfectly matching promotional images, but these are pretty minor compared to the knife's performance.
Overall, the KESSAKU 12-inch Carving Knife stands up well in terms of sharpness and usability right from the start.
Whether you're just starting out in the kitchen or you're a pro, it seems to meet expectations with solid reviews backing it up.