





Hatsukokoro Kokugei Blue #1 Kurouchi Santoku 165mm with Mono Ebony Handle
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We take responsibility for getting the perfect knife to your door in good condition.
Each package has full insurance on every item.
Overview
The Hatsukokoro Kokugei Blue #1 Kurouchi Santoku 165mm 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.
Its 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.
Common Questions
Q: What is a santoku best used for?
A: Santoku means “three virtues” and is designed for versatile everyday prep. This 165mm model excels at slicing, dicing, and mincing vegetables and boneless proteins.
Q: Is Blue #1 steel stainless?
A: 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.
Q: Will every knife look exactly the same?
A: No. These knives are handmade, so the kurouchi finish, measurements, weight, and natural ebony grain may vary slightly from piece to piece.
Specifications
- Brand: Hatsukokoro
- Line: Kokugei
- Knife Type: Santoku
- Core Steel: Blue #1 / Aogami #1 carbon steel
- Cladding: Soft iron
- Construction: San-mai, hammer-forged
- Finish: Kurouchi (black forge finish)
- Hardness: Approximately 62–63 HRC
- Blade Length: 165mm
- Overall Length: 310mm
- Blade Height at Heel: 45mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 4.0mm
- Spine Thickness at Midpoint: 1.5mm
- Spine Thickness Near Tip: 0.8mm
- Weight: 161g
- Handle: Mono ebony wa handle
- Bevel: Double bevel
- Made In: Japan
Measurements are from one knife and may vary slightly due to the handmade nature of the product.
Tokushu's Guarantee
We take full responsibility for ensuring your knife arrives safely and in perfect condition. If you experience any shipping delays, damage, or other issues, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Contact us, and we’ll handle everything until your knife is in your hands.
Insured and Protected
We provide shipping insurance on every order for your peace of mind. If your package is lost or not delivered, we handle the claim process to secure a refund or replacement for you.
For assistance, contact us at anthony@tokushuknife.eu.
Shipping information
Orders are dispatched from our workshop in Malta. Delivery times vary by destination and are in addition to our standard processing period of up to two business days.
Orders delivered within the European Union are shipped from within the EU, so no import duties are normally due upon delivery. For supported destinations outside the EU, when duties or taxes apply, we use Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) services so the applicable charges are handled in advance.
We handle shipping issues, including lost packages and claims. For assistance, contact us at anthony@tokushuknife.eu.
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Order
We take full responsibility for ensuring your knife arrives safely and in perfect condition. If you experience any shipping delays, damage, or other issues, don’t worry - we’ve got you covered. Contact us, and we’ll handle everything until your knife is in your hands.
We provide shipping insurance on every order for your peace of mind. If your package is lost or not delivered, we handle the claim process and work with you to arrange an appropriate refund or replacement.
For assistance, contact us at anthony@tokushuknife.eu
Orders are dispatched from our workshop in Malta. Delivery times and shipping charges vary by destination and are shown at checkout. Estimated transit times are in addition to our standard processing period of up to two business days.
Orders delivered within the European Union are shipped from within the EU, so no import duties are normally due upon delivery. For supported destinations outside the EU, when duties or taxes apply, we use Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) services so the applicable charges are handled in advance.
We provide shipping insurance on every order and manage claims for lost or undelivered packages. For assistance, contact us at anthony@tokushuknife.eu.

