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Hatsukokoro  |  SKU: HATS_HAPDA_NA165_PKW

Hatsukokoro Hayabusa HAP-40 Damascus Nakiri 165 mm with Western Handle

Regular price $449.00

Availability

  • St Peters
    2 Bishop St Unit 2 St Peters NSW 2044
  • Crows Nest
    107 West St, Crows Nest NSW 2065
    Pickup only
Detailed Specifications
Line Hatsukokoro Hayabusa HAP40 Western Handle
Profile Nakiri / Japanese Vegetable Knife
Bevel Type Double Bevel
Weight 186 g | 6.6 oz
Edge Length 154 mm | 6 1/16″
Heel Height 48 mm | 1 57/64″
Width @ Heel 2.3 mm | 3/32″
Width @ Mid 2.2 mm | 3/32″
Width @ 1cm from Tip 2.2 mm | 3/32″
Steel HAP-40 | Powdered | Semi-stainless
Blade Construction Sanmai - Soft Iron Clad
Hardness (HRC) 64 - 68
Surface Finish Migaki
Handle Western Pakka Wood with Bolster
Region Hyogo
Best for
  • Pro chefs
  • Enthusiasts
  • Free shipping for knives over AU$200 Australia wide.
  • World-wide shipping via DHL Express, 3 to 5 days.


If you are a bit more familiar with the landscape of the Japanese kitchen knife, you might see the Chef Knife/Gyuto with a western handle as the child who don't get enough love. They often appear in a cheaper package, with entry level steel or poorer fit and finish and being mass-produced through stamping. In other cases, they will be cladded in all kinds of well-made, highly-polished finishes, paired with a custom grip made with exotic material, along with a four-digit price tag.

For those who prefer having that heft in hand and wishing for a Western grip Gyuto that offers premium performance, the Hayabusa(隼,Peregrine Falcon) HAP40 line from Hatsukokoro might just be the answer, and it won't break the bank. HAP40 was originally developed by Hitach as a tool steel using powder metallurgy technology, some of its properties combines with a impressive hardness of 64-66 HRC allow creation of some absurd blades. I have seen more than one time people describe its edge retention as "stupid", so if you wish to not sharpen you knife even under frequent use, this steel will be one of the top candidate.

In addition to this solid core steel, Hatsukokoro also cladded this blade with ladderback damascus, it's uniform, dense and contrasty, giving the support that the hard core steel needs so it's not just a sweet eye candy. Notice that the HAP40 steel is a semi-stainless steel, it will just develop patina over time under normal use but if left wet and uncleaned for hours, there is a good chance of it to rust. If that is acceptable and you don't mind a longer sharpening process, this shall be the go-to high performance Western Handle Gyuto.

Pros Cons
  • Excellent performance
  • Great for professionals
  • Great artistic
  • Relatively hard to sharpen
  • Semi-stainless can rust
Care Instruction
  1. Don't cut hard things! Japanese knives are brittle so bone hacking is a NO NO!
  2. Wash with neutral detergent after use, and wipe dry;
  3. Please don't wash knife with dishwasher, it will damage the wood handle;
  4. Be careful not to leave the knife close to a heat source for a long time;
  5. It is a lot more dangerous to cut with a blunt knife than a sharp knife!
  6. It is best to sharpen a Japanese knife regularly on a waterstone.
  7. Semi-stainless steel won't rust easily but may still patina

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
Hatsukokoro — Hyogo
Profile: Nakiri
Profile

Nakiri

Japanese Vegetable Knife

The Nakiri(菜切) knife is a distinctive tool in the Japanese kitchen, resembling a slender, shorter variant of a Chinese cleaver and serving as the household counterpart to the professional-grade Usuba. It is characterised by its relatively flat edge profile, emphasising straight, clean push cuts through vegetables without the need for rocking. This flat edge makes a full contact with chopping board when pushed down and it means there will be little to no chance of food still connect after the cut - a common problem with blade with very curved profile. Unlike Usuba, the thin and double bevel Nakiri is much better at penetrating dense and tough roots and tubers, Although sacrifices the ability to do delicate pinpoint slice, the rounded tip can give you a bit more sense of safety in operation.
Composition

HAP-40 Element Composition

Compare with
    HAP-40
    8.0% 6.0% 4.0% 2.0% 0
    C Carbon 1.3%
    Primary hardening element. Raises hardness and wear resistance — but too much increases brittleness and corrosion susceptibility. As a reference: German 1.4112 (~0.5%) sits at the low end; VG-10 (~1.0%) is a common mid-range; SG2 (1.25–1.45%) and ZDP-189 (~3.0%) represent high and extreme ends respectively.
    C
    1.3%
    Cr Chromium 4.0%
    Raises corrosion resistance; 13%+ qualifies steel as stainless. Also improves hardenability and wear resistance. In kitchen use, higher chromium levels contribute to a slight drag or sticking sensation when cutting — a trade-off for the rust resistance it provides.
    Cr
    4.0%
    V Vanadium 3.0%
    Forms extremely hard carbides for superior edge retention. Also refines grain structure, improving toughness.
    V
    3.0%
    Mo Molybdenum 4.8%
    Improves hardenability and toughness. Boosts corrosion resistance and helps the steel hold hardness under heat.
    Mo
    4.8%
    W Tungsten 6.0%
    Forms hard carbides for wear resistance and edge retention. Gives the steel hardness even at elevated temperatures.
    W
    6.0%
    Co Cobalt 8.0%
    Allows higher hardening temperatures, increasing hardness and wear resistance. Slightly reduces toughness at high levels.
    Co
    8.0%
    C — Carbon Cr — Chromium V — Vanadium Mo — Molybdenum W — Tungsten Co — Cobalt
    Hardness 64–68 HRC
    555759616365+
    Steel
    HAP-40
    Category
    Semi-stainless
    Process
    Powder Metallurgy (PM)
    Manufacturer
    Hitachi Special Steel, Japan 🇯🇵
    Hardness
    64–68 HRC
    Steel

    HAP-40

    • Manufacturer
      • Hitachi Special Steel, Japan
    • Nature Semi-stainless
    • Hardness64–68 HRC
    HAP-40 steel is a high-speed tool steel known for its exceptional edge retention and durability, ideal for kitchen knives. It achieves high hardness, up to 68 HRC, allowing it to maintain sharpness through extensive use. Comprising a mix of carbon, chromium, and other elements like tungsten and vanadium, it offers a balance of hardness and toughness, reducing chipping risks. While its superior wear resistance ensures long-term performance, sharpening HAP-40 steel may require advanced tools due to its hardness. This steel appeals to those who prioritize cutting efficiency and minimal maintenance in their culinary tools.
    Construction: Sanmai - Soft Iron Clad
    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: Migaki
    Finish

    Migaki

    "Migaki" means "polished" or "shined" in Japanese, The term "Migaki finish" in the context of Japanese kitchen knives indeed does not exclusively refer to a mirror polish but encompasses a broader range of polished finishes that can vary from semi-gloss to a more refined, subtle sheen, rather than a highly reflective surface. The primary goal of a Migaki finish is to enhance the knife's functionality and aesthetic appeal, focusing on a smooth finish that improves resistance to corrosion and minimizes drag during cutting, rather than achieving a purely mirror-like appearance.

    Handle
    Handle

    Handle Specs

    • Profile Western with bolster
    • Material
      • Pakka Wood

    Western Pakka Wood handle is the common choice for entery level knives, in some cases, they will be made with bolster that is welded to the blade. The Pakka wood created by laminate wood with resin, creating a dense material that can have layers of different color. Compared with natural timber, this engineered wood is harder and absorb less water, in addition, the low cost of production makes it ideal of grip of entry level knife.

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