Hatsukokoro Kurogane Birch & Epoxy Ko-Bunka 120mm
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Hatsukokoro Kurogane Birch & Epoxy Ko-Bunka 120mm
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SPECIFICATIONS
Knife Style: Ko-Bunka
Steel Type: Carbon Steel
Blade Material: Aogami Blue #2
Blade Finish: Kurouchi
Blade Hardness: 62HRC (+/-1)
Bevel: Double
Handle: Birch Wood with Epoxy
Blade Length: 120mm
Heel Height: 37mm
Spine Thickness: 2.20mm tapered to 1.20mm
Weight: 82g
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 thicker construction gives the knife a solid, grounded feel in hand.
That handcrafted nature means every Kurogane is a little different. Small variations in the finish, grind, or 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 kept that traditional blade exactly as it is, but gave it a little more punch with a new stabilized birch and epoxy handle.
The natural grain of the birch stays front and center, while small touches of epoxy add extra colour, depth, and contrast. It keeps the handle looking refined and organic, but gives it just enough extra personality to stand out. With the natural variation in both the wood and epoxy, every handle ends up a little different.
The 120mm Ko-Bunka is where this combination gets especially fun. Compact, quick, and incredibly precise, it fills the gap between a petty knife and a small chef knife. The extra blade height gives you more knuckle clearance and control than a traditional petty, while the aggressive K-tip makes detailed trimming, tip work, and smaller precision cuts feel effortless.
It’s an excellent size for garlic, shallots, herbs, fruit, smaller vegetables, and quick prep where pulling out a full-size chef knife simply feels unnecessary. Despite its compact size, the Ko-Bunka still feels surprisingly capable on the board and has enough presence to become one of those knives you reach for constantly.
Rustic Japanese character, a unique modern handle, and a seriously useful compact profile — the Kurogane 120mm Ko-Bunka packs a lot of personality and performance into a very small knife.
◻️ Additional Information
Please note that colours, shading, and overall appearance may vary slightly between photos and the product you receive. Lighting, camera exposure, and reflections on materials like steel, epoxy, and wood can all create subtle differences.
Many of our items are handmade, which means each piece has its own character. Minor variations in pattern, texture, or finish are normal and part of the craft.
If you’d like to see additional photos or close-ups of any item, feel free to request them before or after placing your order—especially for one-of-a-kind pieces. We’re always happy to help you choose the perfect knife or handle.
◻️ Sharp Certified
Before our knives are shipped, each one undergoes a rigorous sharpness test to ensure they meet the highest standards of quality. Our BESS Certified sharpness scale will guarantee that your knives deliver the smoothest cuts.
This commitment to sharpness not only guarantees that you receive a product that's ready to perform at its best but also reflects our dedication to delivering excellence in every aspect of our field.
◻️ Shipping & Returns
Every product listed on our website is physically in stock at our shop and typically ships within 24 hours — giving us enough time for sharpening and proper packaging.
The only exceptions are custom knife assemblies or engraving, which may require 3-5 days before shipping. Everything is done in-house, so even with the extra steps, it’s still exceptionally fast.
Canadian orders can say goodbye to unexpected duties, additional customs fees and exchange rate fluctuations; all our prices are clear and upfront.
For international orders, we take care of providing the declarations documents on items from foreign countries.
We know choosing a knife online isn’t always easy. To make things stress-free, we offer a flexible 30-day Return Policy on regular-priced items. Take a look at our full policy for all the details!
◻️ Contact Us
We are at your service through email, social media, or even by phone, where you can have a direct conversation with one of our team members during our business hours.
Whether you require assistance with your existing product, have inquiries about a potential purchase, need more specific details, additional photos, or even a video to get a better sense of the product in a real human hand, we've got you covered.
Don't hesitate to get in touch.