Hatsukokoro | SKU: HSK-NKB1DM-GY240-BR

Hatsukokoro x Satoshi Nakagawa Blue 1 Damascus Gyuto 240mm

Name: Hatsukokoro x Satoshi Nakagawa Blue 1 Damascus Gyuto 240mm
Brand: Hatsukokoro
SKU: HSK-NKB1DM-GY240-BR
Price: 719.98 AUD
Availability: InStock

$719.98 ~~$799.00~~

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Detailed Specifications

Line	Hatsukokoro By Nakagawa Blue 1 Wide Bevel Damascus
Profile	Gyuto / Chefs Knife
Bevel Type	Double Bevel
Weight	244 g 8.61 oz
Edge Length	223 mm .8.78 inch
Heel Height	49 mm .1.93 inch
Width @ Spine	3.4 mm 0.13 inch
Width @ Mid	2.9 mm 0.11 inch
Width @ 1cm from Tip	0.8 mm 0.03 inch
Steel	Blue 1 / Aogami #1 \| Carbon
Blade Construction	Sanami - Soft Iron Damascus Clad
Hardness (HRC)	61 - 64
Surface Finish	Kasumi
Handle	Octagonal Birch Burl with Spacer
Region	Sakai
Best for	Enthusiasts Collectors

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The Nakagawa Blue 1 Wide Bevel Damascus line brings a series of more artistic blades to the already populated wide bevel family that is known for their solid performance and distinctive look. Althought there is no performance gained, having that beautiful damascus pattern flowing down the knife is definatly a experience many would enjoy while cutting through food effortlessly.

The wide bevel in the name refers to the grind that these blades takes on. Usually Japanese double bevel knives will have a flat grind, where the secondary bevel starts all the way at the spine, in cases where the secondary bevels start halfway, they tend to blends into the flat zone slightly. This line however, have a very distinct boundary at the begining of its secondary bevel,creating a very sharp and geometrycall look, especially on the Kiritsuke Gyuto, which distinct the entire line from other plain Migaki finish knives.

Performance of the kinfe on the chopping board is great, as the bevel takes a concave grind, it is of a good sharpness even the thickness of the spine is not as thin as some "laser" knives, though there is a slight tendency for the food to stick due to this grind. This combination allows the edge to be thin, while having more material behind the bevel to provide toughtness in a professional setting.

The beauty of this knife is enhanced by the excellent fit and finish. On the flat area, the fine Migaki polish doesn't hamper the damascus pattern's beauty, and on the bevel, a soft Kasumi finish further enhances the softness of the texture, endowsthe pattern with a liquid-like flow. The spine and choil also recieves a mirror polish, boasting their shininess on the rounded edges. Overall the arts and crafts level of these knives are superb, especially at their price range.

This is another marsterpiece created by Satoshi Nakagawa, who got more than 20 years of experiences in forging under the training of the legendary bladesmith Kenichi Shiraki. For that reason, I would expect the Blue 1 steel he heat treats to hold edge very well. One concern that remains is, the damascus cladding is made of soft iron, thus making the entire blade prone to rust, there will be some attention and care required to maintain the beauty of these knives, and if you want the similar performance and shape without the hassle of the carbon steel, you can look at the Nakagawa Ginsan Wide Bevel line.

Pros	Cons
Great artistic Exceptional profile Excellent performance	Prone to rust High budget

Care Instruction

Don't cut hard things! Japanese knives are brittle so bone hacking is a NO NO!
Wash with neutral detergent after use, and wipe dry;
Please don't wash knife with dishwasher, it will damage the wood handle;
Be careful not to leave the knife close to a heat source for a long time;
It is a lot more dangerous to cut with a blunt knife than a sharp knife!
It is best to sharpen a Japanese knife regularly on a waterstone.
Oil the (carbon) knife if storing for an extended period of time to prevent rust.

Satoshi Nakagawa

Nakagawa Hamono, established by Satoshi Nakagawa (中川悟志) in April 2021, carries on the legacy of the renowned Shiraki Hamono under the guidance of Nakagawa-san, a dedicated disciple of the legendary craftsman Kenichi Shiraki. With nearly two decades of experience, primarily under Shiraki-san, Nakagawa-san has been instrumental in creating some of the finest honyaki blades in the last five years of Shiraki-san's work.

His expertise is not limited to Shiraki Hamono’s offerings but extends to forging top-tier knives for Sakai’s esteemed brands such as Sakai Takayuki, Kikumori to name a few. Based in Sakai City, Osaka, Nakagawa Hamono specializes in Ginsan and blue steel knives with wide bevels.

Profile: Gyuto

Chefs Knife
A Japanese chef's knife is known as a gyuto (牛刀ぎゅうとう） gyūtō?), literally meaning 'beef knife'. Its blade resembles a flatter version of a French chef's knife. Japanese cutlery is known for sharpness due to its acute blade geometry, and the hardness of the steel used, sometimes exceeding 60 HRC on the Rockwell Scale A typical western chef's knife may be sharpened to an edge angle of 20-22°, while a Japanese gyuto generally has a sharper edge angle of 15-18° (or even lower), which requires a harder, more brittle grade of steel. In recent years Japanese gyuto have gained in popularity with western chefs.

A modern chef's knife is a multi-purpose knife designed to perform well at many differing kitchen tasks, rather than excelling at any one in particular. It can be used for mincing, slicing, and chopping vegetables, slicing meat, and disjointing large cuts.
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Steel: Blue 1 / Aogami #1
Blue Steel No.1, also known as Aogami #1 or Yasugi #1 Blue Steel, is a premium high carbon steel from Hitachi Metals Ltd, celebrated for its exceptional edge retention and toughness. This steel is an upgrade from Blue Steel No.2, enriched with higher carbon and tungsten content, making it a favorite for high-grade Japanese traditional single-bevel knives. It's known for being easy to sharpen, achieving a very fine edge that lasts. Despite its susceptibility to rust, with proper care and maintenance, including regular wiping and drying, it can develop a protective patina that minimizes rusting. Blue Steel No.1 is highly regarded among knife makers for its ability to achieve a mirror finish and maintain a sharp edge over extended periods, offering an outstanding balance of performance and durability.
Manufacturer:
- Hitachi Special Steel, Japan
Nature: Carbon
Hardness: 61- 64
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Construction: Sanami - Soft Iron Damascus Clad

Sanmai(Three-Piece) is a common construction for double bevel knives where two pieces of softer cladding steel are forgewelded to each side of a harder core steel. The harder but more brittle core steel will form the hard cutting edge after heat treating, and the softer cladding will support the core to increase the overall strength of the blade.
Damascus Sanmai utilize damascus steel as the cladding material for the Sanmai construction, which adds aesthetic feature to the blade. However, the damascus cladding found on Japanese kitchen knives with carbon steel core are ususally made of soft iron, which means they too need to be maintained to stay pretty.
The soft cladding enables the thinning process to be a lot easier than a honyaki or monosteel construction. However, when the cladding is made of damascus, whether etched, polished or mirror polished, the thinning process will take a toll on the cladding, meaning the damascus won't look the same as when it was taken out of the box.
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Finish: Kasumi

A Kasumi finish refers to a traditional Japanese blade-finishing technique used on knives, particularly those made from a combination of soft iron and harder steel. The term "Kasumi" means "mist" in Japanese, aptly describing the hazy, matte appearance achieved on the blade's bevel where the two metals meet. This effect is not only aesthetic but also showcases the craftsmanship involved in blending these materials, highlighting the skill in creating a knife that is both beautiful and functional.
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Handle Specs
Profile: Octagonal WA
Material:
- Birch Burl Stabilized
The stabilized birch burl handle adorning the Hatsukokoro chef knife is a testament to both exquisite craftsmanship and natural beauty. Birch burl, prized for its intricate grain patterns and unique textures, undergoes a meticulous stabilization process to enhance its durability and stability, ensuring longevity and resilience against moisture and wear.
The handle's ergonomic design offers a comfortable and secure grip, allowing for extended periods of use without fatigue. Its smooth contours and balanced weight distribution contribute to precise control and effortless maneuverability during culinary tasks.
The natural variations in color and grain of the birch burl create a visually captivating aesthetic, making each handle distinctively unique. This harmonious blend of functionality and aesthetics not only elevates the chef knife's performance but also adds a touch of elegance to the kitchen, reflecting the unparalleled craftsmanship of Hatsukokoro knives.
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