Ryuhyo - meaning drift ice in Japanese - is Hatsukokoro at its most refined. Made in Sakai, Japan, the Ryuhyo kiritsuke is built around SG2 (also known as R2), a powdered stainless steel that combines razor-sharp edge potential with genuine corrosion resistance at a hardness of 62-64 HRC. The san mai construction wraps that demanding core in softer stainless layers, reducing the brittleness that high-HRC blades can carry and making the knife more forgiving across different board materials and cutting styles.
The mirror-polished finish reveals a Damascus-style pattern that catches light the way its namesake - shimmering sea ice off the coast of Hokkaido - is said to. This is not surface decoration applied after the fact; it is a direct expression of the layered san mai construction visible through the polish. The octagonal ebony handle is rich and precise, well-matched to the blade in both weight and aesthetic. With a 218mm blade length, a 2mm spine, and a 49mm blade height, the Ryuhyo kiritsuke is a versatile, capable knife that balances agility and authority in equal measure.
Care Instructions: SG2 is stainless but hard and chip-prone at elevated HRC. Use wood or rubber boards only. Avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard materials. Hand wash and dry after use. Strop regularly between sharpenings to maintain the edge, and sharpen on quality water stones in the 1000-6000 grit range.Brand: Hatsukokoro
Line: Ryuhyo
Location: Sakai, Japan
Construction: San Mai
Edge Steel: SG2 (R2) Powdered Stainless
Cladding: Stainless Steel
HRC: 62-64
Finish: Mirror Polished Damascus
Engraving: Laser Etched Logo
Edge Grind: Even (50/50)
Handle: Octagonal Ebony
Weight: 5.4 oz (154 g)
Blade Length: 218 mm
Total Length: 358 mm
Spine Thickness at Base: 2 mm
Blade Height: 49 mm
The mirror-polished finish reveals a Damascus-style pattern that catches light the way its namesake - shimmering sea ice off the coast of Hokkaido - is said to. This is not surface decoration applied after the fact; it is a direct expression of the layered san mai construction visible through the polish. The octagonal ebony handle is rich and precise, well-matched to the blade in both weight and aesthetic. With a 218mm blade length, a 2mm spine, and a 49mm blade height, the Ryuhyo kiritsuke is a versatile, capable knife that balances agility and authority in equal measure.
Care Instructions: SG2 is stainless but hard and chip-prone at elevated HRC. Use wood or rubber boards only. Avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard materials. Hand wash and dry after use. Strop regularly between sharpenings to maintain the edge, and sharpen on quality water stones in the 1000-6000 grit range.
