The kiritsuke shape splits the difference between a gyuto and a yanagiba, a pointed, angular tip on a profile that still handles everyday chef knife work. This 205mm version brings that shape into the Hatsukokoro SLD Damascus line, pairing the pointed profile with the same Hitachi SLD semi-stainless core and stainless Damascus cladding used across the rest of the series. SLD sits between reactive carbon and fully stainless, harder and more wear resistant than most stainless steels while asking for less maintenance than a fully reactive carbon.
The Damascus cladding adds visual depth along the blade and reduces food sticking compared to a plain polished finish, and the 50/50 double bevel grind gives the kiritsuke shape a smooth, controlled cutting feel. The pointed tip makes this profile especially useful for detail work and precision cuts that a rounder gyuto tip handles less cleanly.
Care Instructions: SLD is semi-stainless and hard, which means it holds an edge well but can chip if it meets something it should not. Use wood or rubber cutting boards, avoid bones and frozen foods, and hand wash and dry the blade rather than letting it sit. Strop regularly between sharpenings to keep the edge in top shape.
The Damascus cladding adds visual depth along the blade and reduces food sticking compared to a plain polished finish, and the 50/50 double bevel grind gives the kiritsuke shape a smooth, controlled cutting feel. The pointed tip makes this profile especially useful for detail work and precision cuts that a rounder gyuto tip handles less cleanly.
Care Instructions: SLD is semi-stainless and hard, which means it holds an edge well but can chip if it meets something it should not. Use wood or rubber cutting boards, avoid bones and frozen foods, and hand wash and dry the blade rather than letting it sit. Strop regularly between sharpenings to keep the edge in top shape.
- Maker: Hatsukokoro
- Location: Sakai, Japan
- Edge Steel: SLD (Semi Stainless Tool Steel)
- Cladding: Stainless Damascus
- Construction: San Mai
- Edge Grind: Double Bevel, 50/50
- Handle: Octagonal Ebony
- Weight: 5.2 oz (146 g)
- Blade Length: 205 mm
- Total Length: 347 mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 2 mm
- Blade Height: 41 mm
