{"product_id":"hatsukokoro-x-nigara-ginsan-kurouchi-damascus-gyuto-240mm-carbon-fibre-handle","title":"Hatsukokoro Ginsan Kurouchi Damascus Gyuto 240mm Carbon Fibre Handle","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNigara Hamono is one of the most distinctive forging houses working in Japan today. Based in Hirosaki, Aomori, the Nigara family traces its metalworking history back more than 350 years to its origins as swordsmiths serving the Tsugaru clan. That background remains visible in the company’s modern work, but Nigara has never been particularly interested in simply reproducing the past — complex Damascus, unusual materials and bold surface finishes have become an equally important part of its identity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis collaboration with Hatsukokoro pairs that unmistakable Nigara aesthetic with a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGinsan (Silver #3) stainless steel core\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Ginsan is one of our favourite stainless steels for users who still want a distinctly Japanese sharpening feel. It takes a very clean, fine edge, responds nicely on stones and offers excellent corrosion resistance without the more stubborn sharpening character found in some high-alloy powdered steels.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe defining feature of this series is the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKurouchi Damascus finish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Rather than applying a dark coating or chemical blackening after forging, the upper blade retains the natural black oxide scale formed during the forging process. Beneath it, the Damascus layers gradually emerge through the finished section of the blade, creating a strong contrast between the raw forged surface and the flowing layered pattern underneath.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis gives the knife a very different character from polished or etched Damascus. The pattern is not presented as a perfectly clean decorative surface; instead, it feels integrated into the forging itself. The transition from rough black kurouchi to exposed Damascus preserves much more of the visual evidence of how the blade was made, giving each knife a slightly different appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNigara’s forging style gives the blade a substantial feel through the spine while tapering considerably toward the front. The grind becomes fine toward the cutting edge, balancing the visual weight of the blade with a much more agile cutting feel than its appearance might suggest. The result sits comfortably between an ultra-thin laser and a heavy traditional workhorse — enough material to feel confident in hand without becoming cumbersome through food.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat makes this series particularly appealing is the contrast between its rustic construction and practical steel choice. The forged black surface and Damascus cladding give the knife a strong handmade character, while the Ginsan core remains straightforward and forgiving enough for regular kitchen use. The exposed cutting edge is stainless, so there is none of the constant reactivity associated with traditional carbon-steel cores.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA 350-year-old forging tradition interpreted in a distinctly modern way — Ginsan at the core, forged Kurouchi Damascus outside, and the bold metalwork that has become a signature of Nigara Hamono.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hatsukokoro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":68263929643229,"sku":"HT-G3DMKURO-GY240CF","price":899.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0287\/7227\/0217\/files\/DSC_0810.jpg?v=1792728461","url":"https:\/\/www.knivesandstones.com.au\/products\/hatsukokoro-x-nigara-ginsan-kurouchi-damascus-gyuto-240mm-carbon-fibre-handle","provider":"Knives and Stones","version":"1.0","type":"link"}