Hatsukokoro Kurogane Blue #2 Kiritsuke Gyuto 210mm
Hatsukokoro Kurogane Blue #2 Kiritsuke Gyuto 210mm
Hatsukokoro Kurogane Blue #2 Kiritsuke Gyuto 210mm
Hatsukokoro Kurogane Blue #2 Kiritsuke Gyuto 210mm
Hatsukokoro Kurogane Blue #2 Kiritsuke Gyuto 210mm
Hatsukokoro Kurogane Blue #2 Kiritsuke Gyuto 210mm
Hatsukokoro Kurogane Blue #2 Kiritsuke Gyuto 210mm
Hatsukokoro Kurogane Blue #2 Kiritsuke Gyuto 210mm
Hatsukokoro Kurogane Blue #2 Kiritsuke Gyuto 210mm
Hatsukokoro Kurogane Blue #2 Kiritsuke Gyuto 210mm

Hatsukokoro Kurogane Blue #2 Kiritsuke Gyuto 210mm

£135.00

An excellent and affordable carbon steel workhorse, the mid-sized Kurogane kiritsuke gyuto is a perfect choice for all round use and has a robust and durable edge that cuts smoothly and profile that provides good food release on most ingredients. 

Overall an impressive value and quality all-rounder ideal for any kitchen.

Currently out of stock

Product Code: HAT-0158-##

Knife & Range Specifications

Knife Measurements
  • Blade Edge Length: 215mm / 8.46" (Measurement of the cutting edge)
  • Total Knife Length: 362mm / 14.25" (Blade tip to handle end)
  • Blade Height: 48mm / 1.89" (Heel to spine)
  • Blade Thickness: 3.2mm / 0.13" (Spine width above the heel) 2.1mm / 0.08" (Measured halfway along spine) 1.6mm / 0.06" (Measured 15mm from tip)
  • Total Weight: 194 grams / 6.84 oz

Our aim is to measure and photograph our products as accurately as possible but due to many items being handmade, finished or using natural materials, there can be minor variance in measurements and finishes.

Range Specifications
  • Core Steel: Aogami Blue #2
  • Cladding Steel: Soft Iron
  • Blade Finish: Kurouchi
  • Hardness: ~63 (HRC)
  • Handle Style: Japanese (Wa)
  • Handle Material: Octagonal mono ebony or olive wood
  • Left or Right handed: Suitable for both (Double Bevel)

Some measurements such as HRC are provided by manufacturers and should therefore be used as a guide.

Hatsukokoro - Kurogane Blue #2

Our in-depth range review

First Impressions

Made in Tosa for Hatsukokoro, the Kurogane Blue #2 is a classic and rugged workhorse range using a traditional combination of durable Blue #2 core steel clad in soft iron.

Across the range, you'll find a moderate distal taper and relatively thick profile that feels reassuringly durable but one that offers smooth cutting performance and food release.

Beauty

A traditional kurouchi finish and vertical hairline grind down to the core and edge are a typical look for many Japanese knives and one that always looks great once your patina begins to form on the blade too.

The Kurogane is available with a selection of pre-fitted wa handles to compliment and contrast the blade finish.

In Hand

The Kurogane is very much a workhorse profile, it feels tough and durable and one you'd reach for when you don't want to worry about prepping those root veggies or peeling something with a harder skin.

Obviously it's still not an axe and you need to practice good cutting technique but we particularly like how these knives feel and the out of the box edge is good for a knife at this price point so making finer cuts is no problem either.

Durability

The Blue #2 core has been hardened to around 62-63HRC and so offers a good level of edge retention between sharpening and with the workhorse profile it's a good choice for a busy kitchen and lots of prep.

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 and both are included in our carbon steel care kit which is perfect for long term maintenance.

Our Verdict

The Kurogane is a versatile and durable workhorse range from Hatsukokoro made in Tosa by one of their partner workshops and offers a slightly more refined level of edge finish to the similar Blue #1 Kokugei and Blue #2 Shikkoku and Sumi ranges.

We found the edge on the Kurogane out of the box offers smooth cutting performance and good food release thanks to the relatively thick profile and distal taper across the knives and at the price point it's a great option for anyone looking at a first time classic carbon steel knife that boasts good edge retention and for those more experienced knife owners, there's plenty of additional performance that can be achieved with minimal effort when sharpening on your whetstones. 

There's definitely a somewhat rustic "wabi-sabi" finish level to the knives which is not uncommon at this price point so you may find some things that are not perfectly finished.

What the knives lack in terms of finishing level, they make up for in potential - the core steel has a quality heat treat for edge retention and durability and if you spend a little time thinning the profile on your whetstones you'll uncover an excellent knife waiting to shine.

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