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Hatsukokoro  |  SKU: HATS_SGRH_KGY210_OWSY

Hatsukokoro Ryuhyo SG2 Damascus K tip Gyuto 210mm Ebony Handle

Regular price $6,991.00

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Detailed Specifications
Line Hatsukokoro Ryuhyo SG2 Damascus
Profile Gyuto / Chefs Knife
Bevel Type Double Bevel
Weight 134 g | 4.7 oz
Edge Length 219 mm | 8 5/8″
Heel Height 48 mm | 1 57/64″
Width @ Heel 1.9 mm | 5/64″
Width @ Mid 1.7 mm | 1/16″
Width @ 1cm from Tip 0.8 mm | 1/32″
Steel SG2 / R2 | Powdered | Stainless
Blade Construction Sanmai - Stainless Damascus Clad
Hardness (HRC) 62 - 64
Surface Finish Migaki
Handle Octagonal Ebony
Region Hyogo
Best for
  • Pro chefs
  • Students
  • Free shipping for knives over AU$200 Australia wide.
  • World-wide shipping via DHL Express, 3 to 5 days.


The Ryuhyo(流冰, Flowing Ice) is a line that looks familiar but feels different. It is almost indistinguishable from the Saihyo SG2 line by the look. But after having a try, I can say that look is very deceiving, the improved sharpening and compelling price would likely make this line a often recommended option for a intermediate to high-end knife.

Hatsuokoro's existing model Saihyo has been around for a while on the market, but it haven't been very popular. One of the reason I thinks is the sharpening being applied to the knife is somewhat standard, it features a flat grind bevel with polished sandblasted damascus finish, and the thickness behind the edge is not particularly thin. This combination results in a blade that doesn't feel particularly sharp or smooth in the cut, and many other blades can outperform it in its price range.

Hatsukokoro seems to noticed this situation and they have worked on improving their manufacturing process. The Ryuhyo not only comes at a lower price, but also feel much smoother in the cut. The geometry is more of a sabre/v-grind that transitions smoothly without a shinogi line, not only allows the food to glide smoothly on the surface without sticking, but also kept the beautiful damascus pattern flowing throughout the blade. Maybe this is the reason behind the name.

The steel would be the good ol SG2, I would consider this as the endgame steel for most household and professional as it is excellent in wear resistance without being too hard to sharpen or prone to rust. Having this steel means Ryuhyo is aim more towards the higher end part of the market for both professionals and home cook, and it have positioned itself very well this time so it is clearly more affordable than the more hand crafted SG2 knives while have a performance that is close to them.

In summary, the Ryuhyo is the result of Hatsukokoro's improving manufacturing technique, and it is a good sign to see. While we all like the masterfully handcrafted knife that offers us unbeatable performance, it is these more "machine made" blades that would allow more people enjoy the smooth cut offered by Japanese kitchen knives. Having this section of the market improving both in quality and value would surely be a plus in my opinion.

Pros Cons
  • Excellent performance
  • Thin behind the edge
  • Easy to look after
  • A little bit brittle
Care Instruction
  1. Don't cut hard things! Japanese knives are brittle so bone hacking is a NO NO!
  2. Wash with neutral detergent after use, and wipe dry;
  3. Please don't wash knife with dishwasher, it will damage the wood handle;
  4. Be careful not to leave the knife close to a heat source for a long time;
  5. It is a lot more dangerous to cut with a blunt knife than a sharp knife!
  6. It is best to sharpen a Japanese knife regularly on a waterstone.

Hatsukokoro

Rising star of the industry

Hatsukokoro as a brand works extensively with the Japanese kitchen knife industry. Through collaboration with makers and manufacturers across the Japan, they’ve designed and created a huge collection of different knives, covering every possible price range while having a great value in many of their product lines. Their capabilities to incorporate resources have built a strong relation with knife makers, and more and more are happy to send their knives down to Amagasaki and have them delivered across the world.

“The rapidly expanding new brand in the industry based in Amagasaki, offering great varieties by working close with different makers across entire Japan to the entire globe while innovating in product design and metal fabrication.”

Est. 2019 | 令和元年
Known for Unrivalled product availability, exceptional performance at a highly competitive price.
Website handk.co Instagram @handk_official Read more about Hatsukokoro
Hatsukokoro — Hyogo
Profile

Gyuto

Chefs Knife

A Japanese chef's knife is known as a gyuto (牛刀 ぎゅうとう) gyūtō), literally meaning 'beef knife'. Its blade resembles a flatter version of a French chef's knife. Japanese cutlery is known for sharpness due to its acute blade geometry, and the hardness of the steel used, sometimes exceeding 60 HRC on the Rockwell Scale A typical western chef's knife may be sharpened to an edge angle of 20-22°, while a Japanese gyuto generally has a sharper edge angle of 15-18° (or even lower), which requires a harder, more brittle grade of steel. In recent years Japanese gyuto have gained in popularity with western chefs.

A modern chef's knife is a multi-purpose knife designed to perform well at many differing kitchen tasks, rather than excelling at any one in particular. It can be used for mincing, slicing, and chopping vegetables, slicing meat, and disjointing large cuts.
Composition

SG2 / R2 Element Composition

Compare with
    SG2 / R2
    14.0% 10.5% 7.0% 3.5% 0
    C Carbon 1.25%
    Primary hardening element. Raises hardness and wear resistance — but too much increases brittleness and corrosion susceptibility. As a reference: German 1.4112 (~0.5%) sits at the low end; VG-10 (~1.0%) is a common mid-range; SG2 (1.25–1.45%) and ZDP-189 (~3.0%) represent high and extreme ends respectively.
    C
    1.25%
    Cr Chromium 14.0%
    Raises corrosion resistance; 13%+ qualifies steel as stainless. Also improves hardenability and wear resistance. In kitchen use, higher chromium levels contribute to a slight drag or sticking sensation when cutting — a trade-off for the rust resistance it provides.
    Cr
    14.0%
    V Vanadium 1.8%
    Forms extremely hard carbides for superior edge retention. Also refines grain structure, improving toughness.
    V
    1.8%
    Mo Molybdenum 2.3%
    Improves hardenability and toughness. Boosts corrosion resistance and helps the steel hold hardness under heat.
    Mo
    2.3%
    Mn Manganese 0.4%
    Aids hardenability and strength. Acts as a deoxidiser during smelting. Excess can reduce toughness.
    Mn
    0.4%
    Si Silicon 0.5%
    Strengthens the steel matrix and acts as a deoxidiser. Improves hardness and resistance to oxidation.
    Si
    0.5%
    P Phosphorus 0.03%
    Impurity from the smelting process. Even small amounts cause brittleness — steelmakers keep this as low as possible.
    P
    0.03%
    S Sulfur 0.03%
    Impurity that reduces toughness and promotes brittleness. Intentionally added only in free-machining steels.
    S
    0.03%
    C — Carbon Cr — Chromium V — Vanadium Mo — Molybdenum Mn — Manganese Si — Silicon P — Phosphorus S — Sulfur
    Hardness 62–64 HRC
    555759616365+
    Steel
    SG2 / R2
    Category
    Stainless
    Process
    Powder Metallurgy (PM)
    Manufacturer
    Takefu Special Steel, Japan 🇯🇵
    Hardness
    62–64 HRC
    Steel

    SG2 / R2

    • Manufacturer
      • Takefu Special Steel, Japan
    • Nature Stainless
    • Hardness62–64 HRC
    SG2, also known as Super Gold 2 or R2 steel, is a high-end powdered tool steel by Takefu Special Steel, known for its excellent edge retention, wear resistance, and ability to achieve a hardness of up to 64 HRC. Identical to Kobelco Steel's R2, it's prized in premium knife making for its fine edge sharpness and durability. The powdered nature ensures uniform carbide distribution, enhancing toughness and reducing chipping risks. SG2/R2 is ideal for those seeking top performance and longevity in their cutting tools.
    Construction: Sanmai - Stainless Damascus Clad
    Construction

    Sanmai - Stainless Damascus Clad

    Sanmai(Three-Piece) is a common construction for double bevel knives where two pieces of softer cladding steel are forgewelded to each side of a harder core steel. The harder but more brittle core steel will form the hard cutting edge after heat treating, and the softer cladding will support the core to increase the overall strength of the blade.

    Damascus Sanmai utilize damascus steel as the cladding material for the Sanmai construction, which adds aesthetic feature to the blade. On the Kitchen knives with stainless core steel, the damascus cladding will be stainless, this means they will also protect the carbon/semi-stainless core from rusting/discolouration.

    The soft cladding enables the thinning process to be a lot easier than a honyaki or monosteel construction. However, when the cladding is made of damascus, whether etched, polished or mirror polished, the thinning process will take a toll on the cladding, meaning the damascus won't look the same as when it was taken out of the box.

    Finish: Migaki
    Finish

    Migaki

    "Migaki" means "polished" or "shined" in Japanese, The term "Migaki finish" in the context of Japanese kitchen knives indeed does not exclusively refer to a mirror polish but encompasses a broader range of polished finishes that can vary from semi-gloss to a more refined, subtle sheen, rather than a highly reflective surface. The primary goal of a Migaki finish is to enhance the knife's functionality and aesthetic appeal, focusing on a smooth finish that improves resistance to corrosion and minimizes drag during cutting, rather than achieving a purely mirror-like appearance.

    Handle
    Handle

    Handle Specs

    • Profile Octagonal WA
    • Material
      • Ebony

    This handle, crafted from a single piece of ebony, exemplifies minimalist elegance and functional design. Its unique octagonal shape, featuring a subtle taper, offers a comfortable grip and a visually appealing geometric profile. The ebony wood, known for its deep, rich color and durability, has been meticulously milled from a single block, ensuring a seamless construction that highlights the wood's natural beauty and grain. The handle's surface has been highly polished, achieving a glossy finish that not only enhances the ebony's luxurious dark hue but also provides a smooth, tactile experience for the user. This design choice reflects a minimalist approach, focusing on simplicity, quality, and usability. The combination of the octagonal shape with the taper adds a modern twist to the classic material, making it a standout piece that blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics.

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