Hatsukokoro | SKU: HSK-KK-B2KU-ST165-BC

Hatsukokoro Kurokuma Blue 2 Kurouchi Santoku 165mm

$101.99 $119.00

IMPORTANT: Carbon steel knives can rust or patina quickly if not cared for properly. They require regular cleaning, drying, and oiling. If you are unfamiliar with carbon steel maintenance, we recommend choosing a stainless steel option instead.

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2 Bishop St Unit 2 St Peters NSW 2044
+61 2 8234 8818
Crows Nest (Storefront) —
107 West St, Crows Nest NSW 2065
Pickup only

Detailed Specifications

Line	Hatsukokoro Kurokuma Blue 2 Kurouchi
Profile	Santoku / Santoku
Bevel Type	Double Bevel
Weight	175 g \| 6.2 oz
Edge Length	167 mm \| 6 37/64″
Heel Height	46 mm \| 1 13/16″
Width @ Heel	4.0 mm \| 5/32″
Width @ Mid	3.0 mm \| 1/8″
Width @ 1cm from Tip	1.2 mm \| 3/64″
Steel	Blue 2 / Aogami #2 \| Carbon
Blade Construction	Sanmai - Soft Iron Clad
Hardness (HRC)	61 - 63
Surface Finish	Kurouchi Tsuchime
Handle	Octagonal Black Chacate
Region	Hyogo
Best for	First-timers Students

Free shipping for knives over AU$200 Australia wide.
World-wide shipping via DHL Express, 3 to 5 days.

The Hatsukokoro Kurokuma(黒熊, Black Bear), different from the brand Kurokuma, is a new addition to the growing lineup of Hatsukokoro's budget friendly Kurouchi knives. It shares some similarities with the Kokugei/Kuronami series, but some key features of this line have led to a quite different behavior on chopping board.

Like the Kokugei/Kuronami line, the Kurokuma features a glossy Kurouchi finish, however, it is a brown/yellow tint above the black, which give the knife a earthy look similar to the fur on a bear, quite fitting to its name. What is quite matching to this finish is the grind, when looking down the spine, the Kurokuma have way less taper compare to the Kokugei or Kuronami, leading to a spine thickness that is double of those knives at the middle and the end of the blade.

The impact of this grind is rather interesting. We usually affiliate thicker knive with poor cutting performance, as there will be more resistance to overcome when the blade enters and splitting a dense food like potato. This is the case for the Kurokuma, however, this blade performe suprisingly well when slicing thin pieces off a potato, the penetration of the edge at the initial contact is very resolute, and the blade follow through effortlessly.

Through observaton and the sacrifices of some potatoes, we have deduct the reasone behind this behavior. As the grind is very thick and the angle of the primary bevel is rather large, the secondary bevel is quite narrow compares with other blades. This will leads to prying, hence the resistance we feel when splitting potatoes, but when slicing, the thin slice will pop off the narrow bevel and give a clean food release, which translates to low sticking when cutting. Combining with the aggressive edge of the carbon knife and the inertia in this heavy blade, this knife end up offering a pleasing slicing experience.

Thus if you are looking into a budget carbon knife with rustic look and enjoyable cutting feeling, this line is definitely something you should check out.

Pros	Cons
Budget friendly Workhorse grind	Need extra care Fit and finish can be improved

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.

Hatsukokoro

Rising star of the industry

Hatsukokoro as a brand works extensively with the Japanese kitchen knife industry. Through collaboration with makers and manufacturers across the Japan, they’ve designed and created a huge collection of different knives, covering every possible price range while having a great value in many of their product lines. Their capabilities to incorporate resources have built a strong relation with knife makers, and more and more are happy to send their knives down to Amagasaki and have them delivered across the world.

“The rapidly expanding new brand in the industry based in Amagasaki, offering great varieties by working close with different makers across entire Japan to the entire globe while innovating in product design and metal fabrication.”

Est. 2019 | 令和元年

Known for Unrivalled product availability, exceptional performance at a highly competitive price.

Website handk.co Instagram @handk_official Read more about Hatsukokoro

Profile

Santoku

The Santoku(三徳) knife, embodying the meaning "three uses," is a cornerstone in Japanese kitchens, adept at slicing, dicing, and mincing. Esteemed for its versatility, it features a blade length typically between 15cm and 20cm (6 to 8 inches), catering to a wide array of culinary tasks. Distinguished by its less pointy tip compared to the Gyuto, the Santoku boasts a unique profile that contributes to its functionality and popularity. Its design is more controllable in chopping and slicing, and the profile is less aggressive, for those reasons, it has bacame a preferred choice for home cooks.

Compare with

Blue 2 / Aogami #2

—

1.25% 0.9% 0.6% 0.3% 0

1.1%

0.35%

1.25%

0.25%

0.15%

0.025%

0.004%

C — Carbon Cr — Chromium W — Tungsten Mn — Manganese Si — Silicon P — Phosphorus S — Sulfur

Hardness 61–63 HRC

555759616365+

Steel

Blue 2 / Aogami #2

Manufacturer
- Hitachi Special Steel, Japan
Nature Carbon
Hardness61–63 HRC

Blue Steel No.2, also recognized as Aogami No.2, is a distinguished high carbon steel produced by Hitachi Metals Ltd, enhanced by the addition of chromium and tungsten to the base of White Steel No.2. This modification brings about an improvement in toughness and the creation of hard carbide molecules, which significantly boost edge retention. Although its sharpness is comparable to that of White Steel No.2, Blue Steel No.2 offers a slight advantage in maintaining its edge.

Widely favored for its versatility, Aogami No.2 is celebrated for its ease of sharpening and robust resistance to chipping, making it an ideal choice for those new to Aogami steel knives. Containing 1.0–1.2% carbon and achieving a typical hardness of 62–63 HRC on the Rockwell scale, it stands as the benchmark in evaluating Aogami steel cutlery.

Construction

Sanmai - Soft Iron Clad

Sanmai iron cladding is a traditional Japanese knife construction technique where a hard steel core is sandwiched between two layers of softer iron or steel. This method combines the superior edge retention and sharpness of high-carbon steel with the durability and ease of maintenance provided by the softer outer layers. The sanmai structure offers a balanced knife that is both flexible and resistant to breaking, ideal for precision cutting tasks. The softer outer layers also facilitate easier sharpening and contribute to the aesthetic appeal of the knife through the development of a unique patina over time. While sanmai-clad knives require careful maintenance to prevent rust, their exceptional performance and distinctive appearance make them often a desirable feature of Japanese knives.

Finish

Kurouchi Tsuchime

The Kurouch Tsuchime is a combination of the raw, organic black finish and the characterful hammered Tsuchime finish. It is commonly seen as the Kurouchi finish will keep the original black scale of the billet unpolished after forging, the texture from the forging process will be also kept, allowing all kinds of patterns and indentations to be introduced to the blade. As a combination of Kurouchi and Tsuchime, this finish also inherents their benifits: reduce drag, help with food release and protect the steel from rusting. Over all Kurouchi Tsuchime is a practical and esthetically unique finish.

Handle

Octagonal Black Chacate

Profile Octagonal WA
Material
- Black Chacate

Black Chacate is a highly valued timber known for its deep, rich brown to almost black coloration, fine texture, and exceptional durability. It polishes well, offering an exquisite finish that highlights its subtle, elegant grain patterns. This wood is often used in fine woodworking projects, including luxury furniture, decorative items, and high-end knife handles.

An octagonal wa handle made from Black Chacate wood would exhibit a sleek, geometric shape that fits comfortably in the hand, enhancing the user's grip and control. The deep hues and natural luster of Black Chacate add a touch of sophistication and unparalleled beauty to the handle, making it not only a functional component of a kitchen knife but also a piece of art. The durability and stability of Black Chacate ensure that the handle withstands the rigors of kitchen use while maintaining its aesthetic appeal over time.

Frequently asked questions

Gyuto or santoku - which should I choose?

Both are all-purpose Japanese knives, and for most home cooks either will handle the bulk of daily prep. The choice comes down to length, blade shape, and how you like to cut.

A gyuto is the Japanese chef's knife - typically 210 to 240mm with a gently curved edge that lets you rock and slide through cuts as well as chop. The extra length and pointed tip give you reach and versatility, from proteins to large produce.

A santoku is shorter, usually 165 to 180mm, with a flatter profile and a rounded sheep's-foot tip. It rewards a straight up-and-down push cut, feels nimble in smaller hands or tight kitchens, and is the classic Japanese household knife.

Rule of thumb: choose a gyuto if you want one do-everything knife with more reach, or a santoku if you prefer a compact, easy-to-control blade. Plenty of our customers end up owning both.

✓ Verified by Knives and Stones · James Zhang · Reviewed 29 May 2026

Will a carbon steel knife rust, and how do I look after it?

Yes - carbon steels such as Aogami (Blue) and Shirogami (White) react with food, moisture, and acids. Left wet they can spot or rust, and with normal use they develop a grey-blue patina. That patina is expected and is part of owning a carbon-steel knife; it is not damage.

Care is simple once it becomes habit: hand-wash in warm water, never leave the knife soaking or sitting in a wet sink, and dry it thoroughly the moment you finish. Avoid the dishwasher entirely, and wipe the blade between tasks when you are cutting acidic foods like citrus, tomato, or onion.

If the knife will sit unused for a while, wipe a very thin film of food-safe camellia oil (or a neutral mineral oil) onto the blade before storing it. A light surface rust spot lifts easily with a rust eraser or a little Bar Keepers Friend; sustained neglect is the only thing to really avoid.

Carbon steel rewards this small amount of attention with a keener edge and easier sharpening than most stainless. If you would rather not think about maintenance at all, ask us about stainless or stainless-clad options instead.

✓ Verified by Knives and Stones · James Zhang · Reviewed 29 May 2026

Hatsukokoro Kurokuma Blue 2 Kurouchi Santoku 165mm

Availability

Detailed Specifications

Hatsukokoro

Santoku

Blue 2 / Aogami #2 Element Composition

Blue 2 / Aogami #2

Sanmai - Soft Iron Clad

Kurouchi Tsuchime

Octagonal Black Chacate

Frequently asked questions

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Hatsukokoro Kurokuma Blue 2 Kurouchi Santoku 165mm

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