{"product_id":"hatsukokoro-kokugei-blue-1-kurouchi-santoku-165mm-mono-ebony-handle","title":"Hatsukokoro Kokugei Blue #1 Kurouchi Santoku 165mm with Mono Ebony Handle","description":"\u003ch2\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eHatsukokoro Kokugei Blue #1 Kurouchi Santoku 165mm\u003c\/strong\u003e is a compact Japanese all-rounder built around premium Aogami #1 carbon steel. The rustic black forge finish gives each blade an unmistakably handcrafted character, while the mono ebony wa handle adds a clean, understated finish and comfortable control.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts 45mm heel height offers useful knuckle clearance, and the 165mm edge is nimble enough for smaller boards while remaining versatile for vegetables, herbs, fruit, fish, and boneless proteins. A substantial 4.0mm spine at the heel tapers to 1.5mm at the midpoint and 0.8mm near the tip, giving the knife a confident feel with a progressively finer geometry through the blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ:\u003c\/strong\u003e What is a santoku best used for?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA:\u003c\/strong\u003e Santoku means “three virtues” and is designed for versatile everyday prep. This 165mm model excels at slicing, dicing, and mincing vegetables and boneless proteins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ:\u003c\/strong\u003e Is Blue #1 steel stainless?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA:\u003c\/strong\u003e No. Blue #1 is a reactive high-carbon steel valued for its fine edge, sharpening response, and edge retention. Hand wash the knife, dry it immediately, and never place it in a dishwasher. A natural patina will develop with use; for longer storage, apply a very light coat of food-safe camellia oil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ:\u003c\/strong\u003e Will every knife look exactly the same?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA:\u003c\/strong\u003e No. These knives are handmade, so the kurouchi finish, measurements, weight, and natural ebony grain may vary slightly from piece to piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hatsukokoro\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLine:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kokugei\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKnife Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Santoku\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCore Steel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blue #1 \/ Aogami #1 carbon steel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCladding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft iron\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/strong\u003e San-mai, hammer-forged\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kurouchi (black forge finish)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 62–63 HRC\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlade Length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 165mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOverall Length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 310mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlade Height at Heel:\u003c\/strong\u003e 45mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpine Thickness at Heel:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4.0mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpine Thickness at Midpoint:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.5mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpine Thickness Near Tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.8mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 161g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mono ebony wa handle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBevel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Double bevel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade In:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003csmall\u003eMeasurements are from one knife and may vary slightly due to the handmade nature of the product.\u003c\/small\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hatsukokoro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50339045540097,"sku":null,"price":147.25,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0793\/7687\/5777\/files\/hatsukokoro-kokugei-blue-1-santoku-165mm-ebony-handle-02.jpg?v=1789655196","url":"https:\/\/tokushuknife.eu\/en-hr\/products\/hatsukokoro-kokugei-blue-1-kurouchi-santoku-165mm-mono-ebony-handle","provider":"Tokushu Knife Malta","version":"1.0","type":"link"}