The Kurogane line comes out of Tosa, Japan, a region with a long tradition of honest, hard-working carbon steel knives, and this bunka is a strong introduction to what that tradition produces.
The core is Blue #2, an Aogami carbon steel hardened past 62 HRC and prized for the very sharp edge it takes and holds. It is hammer-forged in a san mai construction with a soft iron cladding for added durability and balance, finished in a rustic kurouchi, or black, blacksmith finish that gives the blade real character straight out of the box. The bunka profile combines a flat cutting edge with an angled tip, useful for everything from vegetables to detail work, and the 50/50 grind suits right- and left-handed cooks equally.
Care Instructions: Blue #2 is a reactive carbon steel, so wash and dry the blade after each use to avoid rust. Avoid leaving acidic foods against the blade for any length of time, and apply a light coat of camellia oil for longer-term storage. Hand wash only.
A finish sharpening before first use is recommended to bring the factory edge up to its full potential.
The core is Blue #2, an Aogami carbon steel hardened past 62 HRC and prized for the very sharp edge it takes and holds. It is hammer-forged in a san mai construction with a soft iron cladding for added durability and balance, finished in a rustic kurouchi, or black, blacksmith finish that gives the blade real character straight out of the box. The bunka profile combines a flat cutting edge with an angled tip, useful for everything from vegetables to detail work, and the 50/50 grind suits right- and left-handed cooks equally.
Care Instructions: Blue #2 is a reactive carbon steel, so wash and dry the blade after each use to avoid rust. Avoid leaving acidic foods against the blade for any length of time, and apply a light coat of camellia oil for longer-term storage. Hand wash only.
A finish sharpening before first use is recommended to bring the factory edge up to its full potential.
- Maker: Hatsukokoro
- Location: Tosa, Japan
- Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
- Edge Steel: Blue #2
- Cladding: Soft Iron
- Finish: Kurouchi
- HRC: 62+
- Edge Grind: Even, Double Bevel, 50/50
- Weight: 5.2 oz (148 g)
- Blade Length: 168 mm
- Total Length: 310 mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 3 mm
- Blade Height: 45 mm
- Handle: Octagonal Ebony
