{"product_id":"kurogane-blue2-kurouchi-santoku165","title":"Hatsukokoro Kurogane Blue #2 Kurouchi Santoku 165mm – Ebony Handle","description":"\u003ch2\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hatsukokoro Kurogane Blue #2 Kurouchi Santoku 165mm is a compact Japanese kitchen knife for vegetables, herbs, and boneless meat or fish. Its broad blade gives your guiding hand room to work, while the shorter profile is easy to manage on a small cutting board. Use it for everyday jobs such as dicing onions, slicing mushrooms, and preparing ingredients for dinner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAogami #2 carbon steel forms the cutting edge, supported by soft iron cladding. The kurouchi finish leaves a dark, textured surface above the polished bevel, and the one-piece octagonal ebony handle brings a simple, traditional look. This is a reactive carbon-steel knife: both the edge and cladding need to be wiped dry, and a patina develops with use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this santoku a good choice for home cooks?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, if you want a compact all-purpose knife and are comfortable washing and drying it by hand. The 165mm size works well for everyday prep, especially when a longer chef's knife feels cumbersome.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat can I cut with it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUse it to slice, dice, and chop vegetables, mince herbs, and portion boneless proteins. Cut with controlled forward or downward strokes. Avoid bones, frozen food, and twisting the blade in a cut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Blue #2 steel stainless?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The Blue #2 edge and soft iron cladding can discolor and rust if left wet. A stable patina is normal; wipe the blade during prep and dry it completely before storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan left-handed cooks use this knife?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. It has a double-bevel edge and an octagonal wa handle that can be held in either hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hatsukokoro\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kurogane\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKnife Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Santoku\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCore Steel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Aogami #2 (Blue #2) carbon steel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCladding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft iron\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kurouchi\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEdge:\u003c\/strong\u003e Double bevel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNominal Blade Length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 165 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCutting Edge Length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 170 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOverall Length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 310 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlade Height at Heel:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpine Thickness at Midpoint:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 167 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandle Material:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mono ebony\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandle Shape:\u003c\/strong\u003e Octagonal wa handle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 61 HRC\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCountry of Origin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasurements are reference values for the mono ebony version. Dimensions, weight, finish, and natural wood grain vary between handmade knives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHand wash with mild soap, dry immediately, and never put this knife in a dishwasher or leave it soaking. Work on wood or a soft synthetic surface such as a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tokushuknife.com\/collections\/hasegawa-cutting-board\"\u003eHasegawa cutting board\u003c\/a\u003e. Sharpen on whetstones as needed. For extended storage, apply a thin coat of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tokushuknife.com\/products\/100-pure-tsubaki-japanese-knife-maintenance-camellia-oil-3-4-oz\"\u003etsubaki knife oil\u003c\/a\u003e to the clean, dry blade.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hatsukokoro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54964821819616,"sku":"TK-54964821819616","price":129.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0602\/6720\/0736\/files\/hatsukokoro-kurogane-blue-2-kurouchi-santoku-165mm-ebony-angled-front.jpg?v=1789798909","url":"https:\/\/tokushuknife.com\/products\/kurogane-blue2-kurouchi-santoku165","provider":"Tokushu Knife","version":"1.0","type":"link"}