Hatsukokoro | SKU: HT-SRW2-YA330

Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Yanagiba 330mm

Name: Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Yanagiba 330mm
Brand: Hatsukokoro
SKU: HT-SRW2-YA330
Price: 459.95 AUD
Availability: InStock

$459.95

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.

Add a saya or K&S Knife Roll to receive $20 bundle discount!

Detailed Specifications

Line	Hatsukokoro Shirasagi White 2 Single Bevel
Profile	Yanagiba
Bevel Type	Single Bevel
Weight	306 g 10.79 oz
Edge Length	323 mm .12.72 inch
Heel Height	40 mm .1.57 inch
Width @ Spine	4.4 mm 0.17 inch
Width @ Mid	3.9 mm 0.15 inch
Width @ 1cm from Tip	0.9 mm 0.04 inch
Steel	White 2 / Shirogami #2 \| Carbon
Blade Construction	Nimai- Soft Iron Clad
Hardness (HRC)	60 - 64
Surface Finish	Kasumi
Handle	Octagonal Ebony
Region	Tosa
Best for	Pro chefs Students

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The Hatsukokoro by Myojin Shirasagi(白鷺)White 2 Kasumi signle bevel is a line of "practical single bevel" knives produced by Myojin Riki Seisakusho and comisioned by Hatsukokoro. It has a twin sister line Shirasagi Blue 2 Kurouchi that offers a dofferent look made by same maker. If you are not familiar with Myojin is a father and son knife workshop based in Tosa prefecture, in the island of Shikoku. Father Tateo, is specialised in single bevel knife sharpening, whereas son Naohito Myojin specialises in double bevel knife sharpening, and Toru Tamura is their primary blacksmith.

This line as a single bevel line, is sharpened by Tateo Myojin(明神健) and forged by Toru Tamura(田村徹). Rarely, you can find not only the traditional profiles like yanagiba in this line, but also modern shapes like gyuto, all made in single bevel fashion. The fit and finish is superb as expected from Myojin Riki Seisakusho, a very uniform finish can be seen across the entire blade, even on the Kissaki of the Sakimaru Yanagiba, some other knives at highter price can have some trouble achieving that. Hatsukokoro have given this well-finished line a well deserved name Kirasagi(Little Egret), the smooth Migaki and Kasumi polish can be found found all across the blade, which build a beautiful imagery to the clean white feather of the egret.

The line has few single bevel Gyuto options, which are quite unusual. They could be a way to try out the single bevel knife without limiting yourself to the very specific task like Yanagiba or Deba does, but the significantly thicker spine does increases the weight and resistance when cutting into food. The offset cutting direction of single bevel knife as well as the carbon steel-soft iron cladding combo limit the usage scenario of these blades.

However, the traditional profiles like Yanagiba in this line are very good in terms of their value. The Yanagiba in this line have a maching if not a superior fit and finish compare to the Masamoto KS Kasumi line, but with the same steel and size, they comes at half of the price. If you have been keeping that Masamoto in cart for a long time but also been hesitating hitting that buy button due to the price tag, maybe look at this Shirasagi line as an alternative.

Pros	Cons
Excellent fit and finish Great for professionals Budget friendly	Prone to rust

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.

Myojin Riki

The Myojin Riki Manufacturing, established by a founder who mastered his skills in Osaka, the heartland of blade-making, has been operational for over 80 years. Specializing in knives made from steel and iron, they've recently focused on stainless steel knives, valued for their light weight, resistance to rust, and exceptional sharpness. These knives are popular among both professionals and general consumers, partly due to their application of the "stacked steel pattern" traditionally found in swords. The second generation continues to innovate, customizing products to meet users' needs, while also contributing to cultural preservation through their involvement with local traditional performances and blade repairs.

Profile: Yanagiba

The Yanagiba, often simply called Yanagi, stands as a quintessential knife in the Japanese culinary realm, specifically designed for the artful preparation of sashimi, sushi, and sliced raw fish and seafood. As a member of the Sashimi hōchō family, it is celebrated for its long, slender blade that ensures precision cuts with minimal effort. Blade lengths start at approximately 210mm and can extend up to 360mm, with the 240mm and 270mm sizes being the most favored for home use, while professional kitchens frequently opt for 300mm and larger. This knife's design is not just about aesthetics but about fulfilling the precise requirements of Japanese cuisine, making it a vital tool for both amateur and seasoned chefs.
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Steel: White 2 / Shirogami #2
White Steel No.2, also known as Shirogami #2 or White Paper #2, is long regarded as the go-to choice for crafting high-grade Japanese kitchen knives. This steel is celebrated for its capacity to be fashioned into knives that exhibit a sharp cutting edge, moderate tenacity, and long-lasting sharpness, alongside being notably easy to sharpen. While it possesses a slightly lower carbon content (C: 1%) compared to White Steel No.1 (C: 1.3%), it still requires a high level of craftsmanship to manipulate effectively. The expertise of a skilled blacksmith is crucial in transforming this material into a premium quality kitchen knife. Despite its excellent qualities, White Steel No.2 is known to be very reactive; hence, knives made from this steel demand meticulous care, including immediate wiping and drying after use, to prevent corrosion.

Sanjo and Sakai are known to widely utilise Shirogami #2 in their mainstream kitchen knives.
Manufacturer:
- Hitachi Special Steel, Japan
Nature: Carbon
Hardness: 60- 64
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Construction: Nimai- Soft Iron Clad

Nimai(Two Piece) is the Japan's traditional approach to the kitchen knife making, this construction method is typically found on knives with native Japanese origins like Yanagiba, Deba and Usuba. When constructing a Nimai knife, a piece of soft cladding metal will be placed onto a core steel, the two pieces of metal are then forgewelded and shaped into the knife.
The Nimai knives are usually sharpened in single-bevel fashion, with hardened core steel exposed on the flat/hollow-ground side and soft cladding warping over the other side and over the spin. The soft cladding offers support for the harder yet more brittle core steel so the knive can have a thin, sharp edge while have some overall strength. Since the single bevel Japanese knives usually don't have a secondary bevel, the combination of soft cladding and hollow-grind have made the sharpening process easier than Monosteel and Honyaki knives.
If Nimai construction represents the classic Japanese knifemaking, then the Nimai with carbon steel core and soft iron cladding is the essence of this classical approach. Although the entire blade will be prone to rusting, the ease of sharpening have made these blades the first choice for chefs who work in traditional Japanese restaurants, where the constant wiping and routine shrpening offset the downsides. If you are interested in experiencing traditional Japanese kitchen knife ownership and willing to spend time take care of your knife, a Nimai Soft Iron Clad knife will deliver that experience with hundreds of years of history behind it.
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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:
- Ebony
This handle, crafted from a single piece of ebony, exemplifies minimalist elegance and functional design. Its unique octagonal shape, featuring a subtle taper, offers a comfortable grip and a visually appealing geometric profile. The ebony wood, known for its deep, rich color and durability, has been meticulously milled from a single block, ensuring a seamless construction that highlights the wood's natural beauty and grain. The handle's surface has been highly polished, achieving a glossy finish that not only enhances the ebony's luxurious dark hue but also provides a smooth, tactile experience for the user. This design choice reflects a minimalist approach, focusing on simplicity, quality, and usability. The combination of the octagonal shape with the taper adds a modern twist to the classic material, making it a standout piece that blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics.
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