Hatsukokoro
Hatsukokoro "Kurokuma" Aogami #2 Kurouchi 165mm Santoku
Price:
$117.00
This "Kurokuma" (Black Bear) series from Hatsukokoro is hand-forged using Aogami #2 steel that has been hardened to 62-63 HRC in Niigata Japan. Finished roughly with blacksmith kurouchi look, and due to Niigata not being a well known knife making region, this knife is incredibly affordable and it is probably the most affordable forged Japanese knife we could find.
Spec:
- Origin (Made in): Niigata, Japan
- Brand: Hatsukokoro
- Knife Type: Santoku
- Blade
- Construction: Sanmai
- Grind: Double-edged Blade (50/50 Grind
- Hagane (Core Steel): Aogami #2 (Blue #2)
- Jigane (Cladding): Soft Iron
- Hardness: 62-63 HRC
- Hand-forged, hand-ground, hand-sharpened
- Blade Finishes:
- Kurouchi
- Blade Length (heel-to-tip): 165mm (6.5")
- Blade Height (at heel): 48mm
- Spine Thickness
- Above heel: 4.3mm
- Middle: 3.1mm
- Handle
- Shape: Hachikaku (Octagonal)
- Material: Teak
- Kuchiwa: Black Buffalo Horn
- Length: 128mm
- Overall Length: 310mm
- Weight: 163g (5.74oz)
Care:
Aogami #2 (Blue #2) steel is a premium Japanese high carbon steel for knife making. It is not stainless, therefore you must wipe your knife dry after each use, in particular the core steel not covered by the stainless cladding. Patina will develop over time, which will appear as “discoloration” on the cutting edge, but that is the nature of carbon steel - not a defect. The stainless cladding covers a large part of the blade, making maintenance easier but still preserving the cutting and sharpening pleasure of the Aogami Super core. Avoid cutting into bones, frozen foods, hard fruit pits.
Cutting Surface:
Recommended cutting surface: wood, rubberized boards and high-end composites, and quality plastics such as polyethene make acceptable cutting surfaces, and will help protect and prolong knife’s edge. AVOID glass, metal, countertops, and other rigid, non-forgiving surfaces.
Sharpening:
We recommend sharpening all quality Japanese knives on whetstones, as we believe they yield the best results for your knives.