Hatsukokoro Hayabusa SG2 Western Handle

The SG2 Micarta Western Handle line is great addition to the growing Hayabusa family under the Hatsukokoro brand. Carrying the name Hayabusa(隼), which is Peregrine Falcon in Japanese, these blades maintain the signature characteristics of this family: super thin laser construction, polished choil and spine and glides through a potato like a butter. It almost reminds me of the much loved Ryusen SG2 (red handle laser line). However, these Hayabusa SG2 feels a better finished product, as the handle is a very nice micarata with bright colored liner, the F&F is also much improved.

In my opinion, the addition of this line filled another existing gap on the market, which is a mid-tier western handle series with better steel, finish, and a non-premium price. The previous options for users who like the balance and weight of a western handle used to be limited, with many of them being the more entry-level ones, having a less premium steel and lower grade fit&finish. On the other hand, there is a concentration of high-end western handle knives, having the premium finish, custom handle, SG2 core steel and along with it, a premium price.

Tojiro have seemingly been the sole choice in this affordable western handle SG2 category, until Hatsukokoro to implement this Hayabusa line. With a better fit&finish, thinner blade construction and a much more nimble overall feel(the Hayabusa 210mm Gyuto is lighter in hand than Tojiro 170mm Santoku). this new line comes in at a price not much higher than some more premium VG10 knives. For lovers of western handle, the combination of fine fit&finish, excellent performance and a more premium steel mean these knives can well be the best bang for your buck at this price range.