Our in-depth range review

First Impressions


Opening the box to see the subtle tsuchime and damascus finish is a joy and like a lot of Hatsukokoro knives, the attention to detail in the finish is good. With a relatively flat grind running down to a thin, well sharpened edge - the out of the box performance is impressive and a knife that's ready to go right away. 

Beauty

This is still quite an understated knife despite the mix of hanner and damascus finishes. The hammer marks are fairly shallow and the damascus is subtle but we think it's just hit the right spot as a combination here. 

Combined with that mirror polished edge, it's a lovely looking knife for sure.

In Hand

In hand the VG10 is around a mid weight and balances nicely and is comfortable in use. The edge of the spine and heel aren't fully rounded off but it's not uncomfortable while using it and not having this finishing step is generally in line with knives at this price point which allows Hatsukokoro to keep the price very competitive.

Durability


You definitely won't have any issues with durability, the VG10 is a solidly constructed and finished knife and the use of stainless cladding around a VG10 core means they'll be easy to maintain and hone as you use them.

Ease of Care & Maintenance Tips

Follow our normal care instructions and this is a knife that will serve you well for many years as it's a stainless core clad in stainless steel so there's not too much to worry about here.

Our Verdict

An excellent collection that ticks many boxes - quality VG10 steel core and stainless cladding are both easy to sharpen and maintain while performing at a high level.

The subtle tsuchime hammer marks combined with the intricate damascus finish running down to the polished core steel edge all add up to a great option for a first time knife or very affordable addition to your collection.

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