First Impressions
The first impression is undoubtedly based around the looks of this knife - it's an incredible ladder damascus finish but as with the other version of the Hayabusa HAP40, there's much more waiting to be unleashed.
The Hayabusa is a mix of old and new, the overall blade shape is made using more modern cold forging process that creates a very consistent and exacting profile and taper after which each individual blade is sharpened and finished by hand which gives it the excellent edge you'll enjoy from the moment you start using it.
Beauty
All eyes will naturally be drawn to the beautiful finish, we think it's probably going to be a love/hate finish though, if a big, bold etched damascus pattern is your bag then this is very well done and the polished HAP40 core line running down from the cladding is smooth and consistent and with a simple and robust black yo handle with an integrated bolster works nicely.
If you're not a big fan of bold damascus patterns, we're going to guess it's not going to light any fires in your heart!
In Hand
Nicely balanced and finished it feels good in handle and with the extra weight of the yo handle pushing the balance point back a little closer to the heel it does still feel very nimble in hand across the various sizes of knife in the range.
The grind of the knife sits just between flat and a slightly convex profile which gives a nice smooth movement through food.
Durability
Made by Hitachi Metals Limited, HAP40 is a super steel that is well regarded for its hardness and the treatment of this range is around 65-66 HRC so edge retention is excellent and these are durable knives when looked after correctly.
The durability and edge retention is the big feature of this range and the heat treat is getting close to the highest end of functional hardness before you get issues with brittle steel which are to be avoided.
This knife will hold an edge like few others.
Ease of Care
These are a semi stainless knife so we'd recommend caring for them following the normal rinse and dry routine but it would also be worth applying drop or two of camellia oil from time to time as HAP40 steel has a chromium content but it's worth the bit of extra care for the edge retention properties it offers.
The core steel develops a light patina over time but it's more subtle than a fully reactive carbon steel.
Our Verdict
The HAP40 steel performance is exceptional. It's sharp right out of the box and the durability it offers is some of the best available so performance levels will remain consistently high for much longer although it does require a little extra time to sharpen, the trade is more than worth it for such durability.
The damascus finish isn't going to be for everyone but in some respects this makes it easier - you probably either really love it or you don't. (If not, check out the slightly thinner and more subtle Hayabusa HAP40 with the migaki finish).
Hatsukokoro are building a significant brand and reputation for their collaborations with workshops and blacksmiths across Japan and this is another one where the blacksmith remains a closely guarded secret because many of their partners work with other brands and obviously have their own ranges too so without a "name" attached, it's interesting just judging a knife on the merits of what is in your hand.
At the price point, there are a lot of extremely good knives available and this is another one to add to the mix.
