Hatsukokoro x Shimizu Ginsan K-tip Yanagiba 270mm

Ginsan is the name used for GIN 3, a stainless steel from Proterial. Proterial lists the carbon at 0.95 to 1.10% and the chromium at 13.00 to 14.50%.

Proterial describes it as a "Stainless steel which has hardness and sharpness comparable to carbon steel".

We find it suits a cook who wants a stainless knife that sharpens on stones. Dry it after use, like any knife.

Yes. Proterial lists the steel as GIN 3 with 13.00 to 14.50% chromium, above the Japan Stainless Steel Association's 10.5% minimum for stainless steel.

Proterial describes it as a stainless steel with hardness and sharpness comparable to carbon steel, used in various kitchen knives and scissors, and the association notes that stainless, strictly, means it rusts less. Wash the knife and dry it after use.

The Hatsukokoro x Shimizu Ginsan Single Bevel line is a small batch of single-bevel knives forged from Ginsan steel and sharpened by Masaya Shimizu, featuring a pronounced spine curvature (Sori) designed for deep cuts into large proteins, and it is best suited for professional chefs and enthusiasts with a higher budget.

This collection is currently represented in stock by the Hatsukokoro x Shimizu Ginsan Damascus K-tip Oozori Yanagiba 330mm, priced at the premium end. The defining physical trait of this line is the Sori in the spine, which mimics the profile of a Katana; this geometry offers a functional advantage over standard straight profiles when slicing through larger chunks of protein. While the line is easy to look after and offers excellent fit and finish, the primary trade-off is the high budget required, making it a specific investment for those who need the performance of a deep-curve single bevel.

Hatsukokoro (初心) is a brand, not a forge. H&K, a company founded in 2013 and based in Amagasaki, Hyogo, created it in 2019.

H&K names the producer for some lines, for example Shinkiro by Takahiro Nihei in Fukushima, Ginyou by Yoshihiro Yauji in Echizen and Kurosagi by Motokyuichi Hamono in Nagasaki, and keeps others confidential. Some knives we stock carry the maker in the title, such as Hatsukokoro x Yoshikane SKD Nashiji.

The name comes from the Japanese proverb 初心忘るべからず, which means don't forget your original intention. The company read it gently as hatsukokoro rather than shoshin.

H&K created the brand in 2019, six years after the company was founded, and chose the name for its knife line.

Pick by how much care you want to give. The carbon lines, Blue 1, Blue 2 and AS kurouchi, need drying and a little oil after use. The SG2, HAP40, Ginsan and VG10 lines are low maintenance, so they suit a busy kitchen or someone who just wants to cook.

Neither is better; it depends on your routine. If you will dry and oil the blade after each use, a carbon line can suit you, and if you want the least fuss, a stainless line is the easier choice.