{"product_id":"hatsukokoro-kurogane-birch-epoxy-nakiri-165mm","title":"Hatsukokoro Kurogane Birch \u0026 Epoxy Nakiri 165mm","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPECIFICATIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKnife Style:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Nakiri\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteel Type: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCarbon Steel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlade Material:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Aogami Blue #2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlade Finish:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Kurouchi\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlade Hardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 62HRC (+\/-1)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBevel:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Double\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHandle:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Birch Wood with Epoxy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBlade Length:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 165\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003emm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeel Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e ~48mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpine Thickness:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e ~2.60mm \u003cb\u003etapered \u003c\/b\u003eto 1.10mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e ~161\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eg\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHatsukokoro 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor this version, we wanted to keep that traditional blade exactly as it is, but give the knife a little more punch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe new handle combines 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 handle still feels refined and natural, but with just enough extra character to make it stand out. Each one has its own grain, pattern, and variation, making every knife visually unique.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s a really nice contrast: a rustic, forge-finished Japanese blade paired with a cleaner, more modern handle that brings the whole knife to life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs for the \u003cstrong\u003e165mm Nakiri\u003c\/strong\u003e, this is where the Kurogane really shines for vegetable prep. The tall, rectangular blade gives you plenty of knuckle clearance and a large, flat cutting edge that feels especially natural for push-cutting and straight chopping through vegetables, herbs, and fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 165mm size keeps it compact and easy to control while still giving you enough blade height to work comfortably with larger ingredients like cabbage, squash, onions, and leafy greens. The broad blade also makes it incredibly convenient for scooping and transferring ingredients from the cutting board once you're done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts slightly more substantial construction gives the Nakiri a reassuring, solid feel in hand without making it feel cumbersome. It has that satisfying, planted feeling on the board that works particularly well with the Nakiri shape, while still offering the precision and control you expect from a Japanese kitchen knife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor anyone who does a lot of vegetable prep, or simply loves the feel of a tall Japanese blade on the cutting board, the 165mm Kurogane Nakiri is a really enjoyable option. It keeps all the raw, traditional character of the original Kurogane blade while the stabilized birch and epoxy handle adds just enough modern detail to make each one feel special.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Made in Japan","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51906387116265,"sku":null,"price":200.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0261\/4368\/6711\/files\/HatsukokoroKuroganeBirch_EpoxyNakiri165mm.png?v=1789909124","url":"https:\/\/kakushin.ca\/products\/hatsukokoro-kurogane-birch-epoxy-nakiri-165mm","provider":"Kakushin","version":"1.0","type":"link"}