There are a handful of collaboration lines between Hatsukokoro and Nigara, and the VG Xeos Full Polish is the latest addition to that. Nigara's hand forging produces a Damascus pattern that moves differently from the kind you'd find on a pre-laminated billet — the layers are more dynamic, the cladding line more organic, and the overall surface has a liveliness that reflects the extensive work that goes into polishing it. The etching method Nigara uses on this line adds another layer to that — the brighter steel develops tiny patches of varying grey tones, almost like the surface of galvanised steel, which gives the knife a rich, textural depth that shifts as the light catches it. It's a finish that rewards close inspection.
The core steel is VG Xeos, a relatively new grade from Takefu Special Steel with an undisclosed composition. Third party analysis suggests it carries less carbon than VG10 but adds vanadium, nickel, chromium and tungsten — a combination that delivers similar wear resistance to VG10 while improving corrosion resistance noticeably. In practical terms this is a steel that holds a good edge, is easy to look after, and sits a step above Ginsan in overall performance. For a forged knife at this price point that typically uses Ginsan or similar, the Xeos is a meaningful material upgrade.
The geometry follows the character of other Nigara forged lines — substantial weight and stiffness in hand, with a thin edge that transitions into a thick convex bevel. The emphasis here is on food release rather than outright resistance-free penetration into dense food, and the convex bevel does that work reliably. It's a knife that rewards a confident cutting motion and delivers a satisfying, clean release as the blade passes through.
Priced in the same bracket as prestige forged lines like Nakagawa's Ginsan and the Sasame line from Kurosaki, the VG Xeos Full Polish positions itself as the more characterful option in that company — a knife where the dynamic Damascus, the distinctive etching and the Nigara forging pedigree justify the price alongside the performance. For enthusiasts and collectors who want something that looks genuinely different on the shelf and cuts well off it, this is a compelling choice.
By
Nigara