Our in-depth range review

First Impressions

It's immediately clear when you first use the Chromax knives that they pack a lot of performance into what is an excellent price tag and value for money is excellent.

Their laser profile and edge finish is impressively good out of the box and for anyone seeking a quality, lightweight laser this range should definitely be on your shortlist.

Beauty

The cladding of the knives has a subtle hazy migaki finish while the core Chromax steel has been polished to a mirror finish that will develop a light patina over time and contrast nicely with the lightweight olive wood handles.

In Hand

Well balanced and comfortable the knives across the range are lightweight lasers and as such suit someone seeking that sort of feel rather than a thicker workhorse.

The spines of the knives have been nicely smoothed off with a subtle rounded finish for comfort in use although not the heel area of the knife but at this price point it's a nice touch to see the level of finishing on the spine which isn't always common.

Durability

Chromax is a semi-stainless tool steel used across a range of Japanese kitchen knives, typically hardened to around 62 to 63 HRC. It's valued for excellent edge retention and a sharpening feel closer to traditional carbon steel than a fully stainless alloy, giving it a crisp, responsive edge on water stones.

Being semi-stainless rather than fully stainless, blades made from Chromax offer more corrosion resistance than carbon steel but will develop a light patina over time, so wiping the blade dry during use and drying it promptly after use is recommended.

Ease of Care & Maintenance Tips

As a semi-stainless steel, Chromax is more corrosion resistant than traditional carbon steel, though it isn't fully stainless, so the blade should be wiped dry during use and cleaned promptly after acidic ingredients. It will patina fairly quickly, but the gap between patina and rust is wide enough to make it easy to care for with normal hand washing and drying and for long term maintenance we'd recommend our carbon steel care kit bundle.

Our Verdict

This is a range that packs a lot value into an extremely competitive price point. The finishing of the edge, hazy migaki cladding and the rounding of the spine are all nicely done and performance out of the box is impressive with real attention to the quality of the edge.

If you're looking for a well balanced lightweight laser knife that doesn't break the bank then this should definitely be a serious consideration.

Meet the maker

Hatsukokoro

Based in Seki city, Hatsukoroko are a brand who collaborate with wide range of master blacksmiths, workshops and factories. Their knives and accessories range from entirely hand forged pieces from master blacksmiths through to products from workshops who make use of modern machinery and techniques to forge knives with extreme precision.

Thanks to their constant innovation and passion for development Hatsukokoro's knives and accessories have quickly become a favourite of our customers.

View all Hatsukokoro products