Our in-depth range review

First Impressions

From the first use, you'll be impressed with the overall sharpness and the quality of finish. The Kumokage collection is a fine example of classic steel choice made in a traditional style.

Beauty

Kumokage translates to "cloud shadow" and continues in Hatsukokoro's tradition of naming their ranges based on a combination of the phyiscal look and style of the knife and being inspired by nature.

The darker kurouchi finish on the soft iron cladding paired with the more polished damascus finish down to the blue #2 edge make it pretty easy to see how the inspiration for the name comes about. 

The kanji characters on the blade represent Hatsukokoro's brand 初 (Hatsu) 心 (Kokoro) which translates to 初 (innocent) 心 (spirit).

In Hand


The knives across the range are well balanced and comfortable with the traditional octagonal wa handle they're enjoyable to use and thanks to reasonably thick spine near to the handle above the heel have a sturdy feel without the feeling of too much weight.

Durability

Blue #2 core steel and soft iron clad is a great combination for making an affordable and durable knife with excellent edge retention and durability.

Ease of Care & Maintenance Tips

It should be noted that this is a fully reactive knife so both core and cladding react with moisture and your ingredients. As such, the care requirements for this steel combination are a little higher than some knives. Learn more about carbon steel care here.

We would recommend periodically treating it with a little camellia oil and in the event of rust spots forming on the soft iron cladding a quick pass with a rust eraser is all you need. 

Our Verdict

The Kumokage is excellent value for money, a classic Japanese knife crafted in a traditional style with a durable core steel that holds a great edge and is easy to sharpen. 

If you're looking for a carbon steel knife and are happy with a fully reactive blade then we'd highly recommend checking out this range. 

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