Hatsukokoro Kurogane Birch & Epoxy Chef Trio

SPECIFICATIONS

Knife Style: Santoku
Blade Length: 165mm
Heel Height: 50mm
Spine Thickness: 2.20mm tapered to 1.10mm

Knife Style: Ko-Bunka
Blade Length: 120mm
Heel Height: 37mm
Spine Thickness: 2.20mm tapered to 1.20mm
Weight: 82g

Knife Style: Ko-Bunka
Blade Length: 80mm
Heel Height: 32mm
Spine Thickness: 2.20mm tapered to 1.20mm
Weight: 69g

Steel Type: Carbon Steel
Blade Material: Aogami Blue #2
Blade Finish: Kurouchi
Blade Hardness: 62HRC (+/-1)
Bevel: Double
Handle: Birch Wood with Epoxy

Hatsukokoro is more than a brand name. Since 2013, the Amagasaki-based company has worked with talented blacksmiths, sharpeners, and handle makers across Japan, bringing together traditional craftsmanship with knives that are made to be used and enjoyed.

The Kurogane Series is one of the best examples of that philosophy. Rooted in traditional Japanese forging, these knives have a much more raw and honest character than highly polished, machine-perfect blades. The dark Kurouchi finish proudly shows the marks of the forge, while the slightly more substantial construction gives each knife a solid, grounded feel in hand.

That handcrafted nature also means every Kurogane is a little different. Small variations in the finish, grind, and forge marks are part of what makes the series interesting — each knife has its own personality and feels like an individual piece rather than something coming off an assembly line.

For this version, we wanted to keep that traditional blade exactly as it is, but give the collection a little more punch.

The new handles combine stabilized birch with touches of epoxy, keeping the natural grain and warmth of the wood while adding extra colour, depth, and contrast. The epoxy is used more as an accent than the main feature, so the handles still feel refined and natural, but with just enough extra character to stand out. Each one has its own grain, pattern, and variation, making every set visually unique.

It creates a really nice contrast: rustic, forge-finished Japanese blades paired with cleaner, more modern handles that bring the whole set to life.

This Chef Trio Bundle brings together three compact and versatile sizes designed to cover everything from your smallest detail work to everyday meal preparation.

The 165mm Santoku is the workhorse of the set. Compact, balanced, and easy to control, it handles vegetables, herbs, boneless proteins, and general daily prep with ease. Its taller blade gives you plenty of knuckle clearance and a generous surface for moving ingredients around the board, while the 165mm length remains extremely comfortable and manageable.

The 120mm Ko-Bunka Petty fills the space between a traditional paring knife and a full-size chef knife. It has enough blade length for small cutting-board tasks, trimming proteins, slicing fruit, preparing smaller vegetables, and all the quick jobs where pulling out a larger knife feels unnecessary. The taller Ko-Bunka profile also gives it more presence and versatility than a conventional narrow petty.

Finally, the little 80mm Ko-Bunka Paring Knife might be the smallest knife in the set, but it has a surprisingly useful shape. Its unusually tall heel provides more finger clearance and control than a traditional paring knife, making it comfortable both in hand and for small board work. It’s perfect for peeling, trimming, strawberries, garlic, shallots, small fruits and vegetables, and all the precise little jobs that come up constantly in the kitchen.

Together, the three sizes complement each other extremely well: 80mm for precision, 120mm for compact prep, and 165mm for everyday chef work.

For anyone who appreciates traditional Japanese craftsmanship but wants a practical set with a little more personality, this Kurogane Chef Trio hits a really nice balance — raw and traditional where it matters, modern where it counts, and versatile enough to handle almost everything you prepare at home.