Hatsukokoro Ryusui AO2 Damascus Tiger Gyuto 240mm
The Workshop (Knife Builder)
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SPECIFICATIONS
Knife Style: Gyuto
Steel Type: Carbon Steel
Blade Material: Aogami Blue #2
Blade Finish: Blasted Nashiji Style with Damascus
Blade Hardness: 62HRC (+/-1)
Bevel: Double
Handle: Stabilized Wood (#646)
Blade Length: 240mm
Heel Height: 50mm
Spine Thickness: 2.90mm tapered to 2.20mm
Weight: 199g
Some blades deserve more than a factory handle. When this Nigara Hamono blank arrived in our workshop, we knew it had the potential to become something truly unique. After carefully matching it with a stabilized yellow wood handle featuring striking natural patterns, this one-of-one custom build came to life.
Forged in Aomori, Japan, Nigara Hamono has spent generations refining its craft, earning a reputation for combining traditional blacksmithing with some of the most distinctive finishes found on modern Japanese kitchen knives. Their work is instantly recognizable—not because it's flashy, but because every surface has purpose and personality.
The blade showcases Nigara's signature blasted Nashiji finish layered over Damascus cladding, creating a finish that constantly changes with the light. The soft texture of the Nashiji contrasts beautifully with the flowing Damascus pattern beneath, giving the blade a sense of depth that photographs can never fully capture.
For this build, we wanted the handle to bring warmth and contrast to the darker steel. The stabilized yellow wood features dramatic natural figuring that makes every angle different, while its golden tones brighten the overall composition without overwhelming the blade. It's an eye-catching combination that feels elegant, organic, and completely unlike any standard production configuration.
In use, this knife has the balance many experienced cooks appreciate. The spine carries enough thickness near the handle to inspire confidence before tapering smoothly toward a fine, precise tip. That subtle forward balance gives the knife a reassuring presence through larger ingredients, allowing the blade to glide naturally while remaining agile enough for delicate work.
Every detail of this knife reflects the collaboration between Nigara Hamono's craftsmanship and our own custom assembly here at Kakushin. The blade began life in Japan, but the final character was shaped in our workshop, resulting in a knife that exists only once. From the unique Damascus finish to the exclusive stabilized yellow wood handle, no second example will ever be exactly the same.
