Hatsukokoro | SKU: HT-HIRARIDM-ST170-BC

Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD Damascus Santoku 170mm

Name: Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD Damascus Santoku 170mm
Brand: Hatsukokoro
SKU: HT-HIRARIDM-ST170-BC
Price: 219.95 AUD
Availability: InStock

$219.95

Pickup available at Crows Nest

Usually ready in 24 hours

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

	Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD Damascus
	Santoku / Santoku
	Double Bevel
Weight	123 g \| 4.3 oz
Edge Length	171 mm \| 6 47/64″
Heel Height	47 mm \| 1 27/32″
Width @ Heel	1.5 mm \| 1/16″
Width @ Mid	1.5 mm \| 1/16″
Width @ 1cm from Tip	0.9 mm \| 1/32″
Steel	SLD \| Stainless
Blade Construction	Sanmai - Stainless Damascus Clad
Hardness (HRC)	62 - 64
Surface Finish	Etched
Handle	Octagonal Black Chacate
Region	Hyogo
Best for	First-timers Pro chefs Students

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

Hikari SLD Damascus is the alternative version of the original Hikari line introduced by Hatsukokoro, although it doesn’t feature its original dazzling surface finish, the increasingly proficient etching done by Hatsukokoro have led to a tasteful contrast on this Damascus clad knife. The knife profile from the original Hikari is carried over, making it a unique choice for chefs and cooks with certain cutting preferences.

The SLD is not a common steel seen on the market, being an tool/injection mold steel, it has incredible wear resistance, the high chromium content have ensured a good enough rust resistance but due to the high carbon content and consequential chromium carbide formation, it can be a little reactive in certain climatic conditions. Thanks to this material choice, Hikari’s edge have a touch of the aggressiveness that you would feel from a carbon steel, it’s that smooth feeling you would get when the edge can bite right into soft but tough food without much rubbing or sliding,

Hikari line has a thin blade thickness, which gets carried over to the Damascus version, the very low spine thickness of 1.9mm above the heels ensures a low resistance cutting through some of the denser produce. There is some thickness left behind the edge, so it may not be the smoothest knife to cut with, but the convex grind that follows this edge can effectively push thin slices of food off the surface of the knife, allowing a pretty good food release for a knife this thin.

The aforementioned profile is the unique feature offered by Hikari. Usually Gyuto would feature a much flatter edge that is ideal for push cutting and slicing, whereas the European chef knife is better for rock cutting using its curved belly. But when we picked up the Hikari, we noticed the strong curve across the entire range. When I put the 210mm Gyuto side by side with a Zwilling 8 inch, I’m plenty surprised by the almost identical edge profile. Not just the Gyuto, both petty and Ko-Santoku are very curved, the Santoku is the only design that is relatively flat in the current lineup. This means most of these knives would be pretty good at rocking chopping, and for customers that ask us if there is a sharp Japanese knife that can support their habit, we finally have an answer to them.

The very friendly price might pave the last step for this knife to be an entry level bestseller, the etched damascus is the icing on the top to boost the aesthetic of the blade, making it a cool piece to pull out when cooking at home. It is not the best performing knife you can get at this price, but a slightly thicker and stronger edge is going to be less prone to damage. It's a pretty balanced design with a special perk, and that’s what makes it stand out as a unique option in the entry level range.

Pros	Cons
Budget friendly Ideal for the household Exceptional profile	Etched damascus can be hard to maintain On the thicker side

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.

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

SLD

—

12.0% 9.0% 6.0% 3.0% 0

1.5%

12.0%

0.3%

0.9%

0.4%

0.3%

C — Carbon Cr — Chromium V — Vanadium Mo — Molybdenum Mn — Manganese Si — Silicon

Hardness 62–64 HRC

555759616365+

Steel

SLD

Manufacturer
- Hitachi Special Steel, Japan
Nature Stainless
Hardness62–64 HRC

Hitachi SLD steel is a tool steel designed originally for die and machining tools. Its composition is practically identical to the D2 tool steel - a classic steel that have withstands the test of time since the WW2. The high level of Chromium content in it have made this steel almost stainless, and the decent amount of Molybdenum and Vanadium forms hard carbide, given this steel a pretty good edge retention. The toughness may be average of its kind, but it shouldn't be a big concern under the condition of normal kitchen use. SLD steel would be a good choice for those who are looking for a steel that can develop a keen edge, but not as attention demanding as a classic carbon steel.

Construction

Sanmai - Stainless Damascus Clad

Sanmai(Three-Piece) is a common construction for double bevel knives where two pieces of softer cladding steel are forgewelded to each side of a harder core steel. The harder but more brittle core steel will form the hard cutting edge after heat treating, and the softer cladding will support the core to increase the overall strength of the blade.

Damascus Sanmai utilize damascus steel as the cladding material for the Sanmai construction, which adds aesthetic feature to the blade. On the Kitchen knives with stainless core steel, the damascus cladding will be stainless, this means they will also protect the carbon/semi-stainless core from rusting/discolouration.

The soft cladding enables the thinning process to be a lot easier than a honyaki or monosteel construction. However, when the cladding is made of damascus, whether etched, polished or mirror polished, the thinning process will take a toll on the cladding, meaning the damascus won't look the same as when it was taken out of the box.

Finish

Etched

The etching process starts with the knife being thoroughly cleaned to remove any oils or residues. A protective mask may be applied to the areas not intended to be etched. The blade is then submerged in an acidic solution, such as ferric chloride, which reacts with the different layers of steel at varying rates. This creates a layer of dark oxide on the surface of the blade where the thickness of the oxide varies according to the reactiveness of the steel. After etching, the knife is neutralized in a baking soda solution, rinsed, and dried. The final step involves polishing the blade to highlight the etched design, enhancing both the knife's beauty and showcasing the craftsmanship of its maker.

Handle

Handle Specs

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.

Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD Damascus Santoku 170mm