Hatsukokoro | SKU: HATS_SGBRH_SA180

Hatsukokoro Ryuhyo SG2 Black Damascus Santoku 180mm

Name: Hatsukokoro Ryuhyo SG2 Black Damascus Santoku 180mm
Brand: Hatsukokoro
SKU: HATS_SGBRH_SA180
Price: 329.95 AUD
Availability: InStock

$329.95

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Last Update:2025-10-31T17:09:58Z

	Hatsukokoro Ryuhyo SG2 Damascus Kurozome
	Santoku
	Double Bevel
Weight	136 g \| 4.8 oz
Edge Length	176 mm \| 6 59/64″
Heel Height	48 mm \| 1 57/64″
Width @ Heel	1.9 mm \| 5/64″
Width @ Mid	1.6 mm \| 1/16″
Width @ 1cm from Tip	0.8 mm \| 1/32″
Steel	SG2 / R2 \| Powdered \| Stainless
Blade Construction	Sanmai - Stainless Damascus Clad
Hardness (HRC)	62 - 64
Surface Finish	Etched
Handle	Octagonal Ebony
Region	Hyogo
Best for	Enthusiasts Pro chefs First-timers

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

The Ryuhyo(流冰, Flowing Ice) is a line that looks familiar but feels different. It is almost indistinguishable from the Saihyo SG2 line by the look. But after having a try, I can say that look is very deceiving, the improved sharpening and compelling price would likely make this line a often recommended option for a intermediate to high-end knife. Not to mention the unique black Damascus look.

Hatsuokoro's existing model Saihyo has been around for a while on the market, but it haven't been very popular. One of the reason I thinks is the sharpening being applied to the knife is somewhat standard, it features a flat grind bevel with polished sandblasted damascus finish, and the thickness behind the edge is not particularly thin. This combination results in a blade that doesn't feel particularly sharp or smooth in the cut, and many other blades can outperform it in its price range.

Hatsukokoro seems to noticed this situation and they have worked on improving their manufacturing process. The Ryuhyo not only comes at a lower price, but also feel much smoother in the cut. The geometry is more of a sabre/v-grind that transitions smoothly without a shinogi line, not only allows the food to glide smoothly on the surface without sticking, but also kept the beautiful damascus pattern flowing throughout the blade. Maybe this is the reason behind the name.

The etching is also brighter than the Saihyo, which seems to be a result of smoother surface(less reactive with acid). This does improve the performance as the friction between the food and the blade is noticeably reduced.

The steel would be the good ol SG2, I would consider this as the endgame steel for most household and professional as it is excellent in wear resistance without being too hard to sharpen or prone to rust. Having this steel means Ryuhyo is aim more towards the higher end part of the market for both professionals and home cook, and it have positioned itself very well this time so it is clearly more affordable than the more hand crafted SG2 knives while have a performance that is close to them as well as a stunning look.

In summary, the Ryuhyo is the result of Hatsukokoro's improving manufacturing technique, and it is a good sign to see. While we all like the masterfully handcrafted knife that offers us unbeatable performance, it is these more "machine made" blades that would allow more people enjoy the smooth cut offered by Japanese kitchen knives. Having this section of the market improving both in quality and value would surely be a plus in my opinion.

Pros	Cons
Excellent performance Great artistic Thin behind the edge	Etched damascus can be hard to maintain

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 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 tailored to provide ease and efficiency in preparation, also because of its less aggressive prrofile, making it a preferred choice for home cooks.

Compare with

SG2 / R2

—

14.0% 10.5% 7.0% 3.5% 0

1.25%

14.0%

1.8%

2.3%

0.4%

0.5%

0.03%

C — Carbon Cr — Chromium V — Vanadium Mo — Molybdenum Mn — Manganese Si — Silicon P — Phosphorus S — Sulfur

Hardness 62–64 HRC

555759616365+

Steel

SG2 / R2

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

SG2, also known as Super Gold 2 or R2 steel, is a high-end powdered tool steel by Takefu Special Steel, known for its excellent edge retention, wear resistance, and ability to achieve a hardness of up to 64 HRC. Identical to Kobelco Steel's R2, it's prized in premium knife making for its fine edge sharpness and durability. The powdered nature ensures uniform carbide distribution, enhancing toughness and reducing chipping risks. SG2/R2 is ideal for those seeking top performance and longevity in their cutting tools.

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
- 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.

	150 mm
Weight	68 g
Total Length	278 mm
Tip to Heel Length	141 mm
Blade Height at Heel	28.9 mm
Width of Spine Above Heel	1.9 mm
Width of Spine at Middle of Blade	1.6 mm
Width of Spine at about 2cm from tip	0.9 mm

Hatsukokoro Ryuhyo SG2 Black Damascus Santoku 180mm