{"product_id":"shinka-ao2-kurouchi-custom-mango-hakata-180mm","title":"Shinka AO2 Kurouchi Custom Mango Hakata 180mm","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPECIFICATIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKnife Style:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Hakata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteel Type: \u003c\/strong\u003eCarbon Steel\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 61HRC (+\/-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 Stabilized Mango Wood\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBlade Length:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 180\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003emm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeel Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e ~47mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpine Thickness:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e ~3.40mm tapered to ~2.00mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-is-intersecting=\"true\" data-turn-id-container=\"request-WEB:16079771-352c-4b83-abc2-fb10e3e39e24-0\" class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"relative w-full overflow-visible\"\u003e\n\u003csection data-turn=\"assistant\" data-scroll-anchor=\"false\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-2\" data-turn-id-container=\"request-WEB:16079771-352c-4b83-abc2-fb10e3e39e24-0\" data-turn-id=\"request-WEB:16079771-352c-4b83-abc2-fb10e3e39e24-0\" dir=\"auto\" class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none [\u0026amp;:has([data-writing-block])\u0026gt;*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-turn-start-message=\"true\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-5\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-id=\"a84795d5-d3f0-4ad6-b19b-64ec206a1600\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full dark markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Shinka series is shaped by tradition, refined through generations, and brought forward with purpose. Hand-forged in Japan from Aogami Blue #2 carbon steel, it delivers the kind of edge that feels immediate and alive on the board. At approximately 61 HRC (+\/-1), it offers an excellent balance between edge retention, sharpening response, and everyday usability while preserving the rustic character that makes traditional Japanese blades so appealing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts dark kurouchi finish is deliberately left raw, allowing the marks of the forging process to remain visible across the blade. Rather than chasing a perfectly uniform, machine-finished appearance, the Shinka celebrates the small variations that come with genuine hand forging. It is a series made for cooks who want the character and cutting feel of an authentic Japanese carbon-steel knife without moving into unnecessarily inflated price points.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach blade is individually hand-forged for our shop in Tosa, Japan, by a fourth-generation workshop whose history dates back to 1920. What began with agricultural tools has developed over generations into a dedicated pursuit of kitchen knives, with particular attention paid to geometry, taper, grind, and balance. The result is a responsive blade that moves cleanly through ingredients, releases food naturally, and offers the versatility needed for both serious prep work and everyday cooking. The Shinka is not about unnecessary complexity—it is about executing the fundamentals exceptionally well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis particular piece was custom assembled in our Kakushin workshop with a striking red-toned wa handle, giving the rustic Shinka blade a completely different personality. The warm grain and deep reddish finish create a strong contrast against the dark kurouchi surface, while the decorative spacer near the ferrule introduces a subtle black and translucent accent that adds detail without overwhelming the knife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pairing works particularly well because it balances two very different aesthetics: the blade remains raw, traditional, and visibly hand-forged, while the handle brings in a cleaner and more refined finish. The result feels premium without losing the character that makes the Shinka series distinctive in the first place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery Kakushin custom assembly is completed by hand in our workshop. The handle is individually selected, fitted, aligned, and finished to complement the proportions and balance of the blade. Because these handles are chosen and installed individually, each finished knife develops its own identity rather than feeling like another mass-produced variation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is a one-of-a-kind Kakushin assembly that combines generations of Japanese blacksmithing with a handle selected and installed here in our shop—traditional where it matters, distinctive where it counts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Assembled in Canada 🍁","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67628623790313,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0261\/4368\/6711\/files\/ShinkaAO2KurouchiCustomMangoHakata180mm.png?v=1791375857","url":"https:\/\/kakushin.ca\/products\/shinka-ao2-kurouchi-custom-mango-hakata-180mm","provider":"Kakushin","version":"1.0","type":"link"}