Hatsukokoro Petty Ginsanko Damascus 150mm (5.9")
✔︎ No import fees & duties - worldwide |
- Description
- Specifications
- Knife Care
- Shipping
The Hatsukokoro Petty Ginsanko Damascus 150mm is a smaller, agile, handy kitchen knife that can easily replace a longer all-around blade. It stands out for its appearance (unique combination of a densely marbled damascus pattern and delicate hammer impressions) and performance (63 HRC Ginsanko steel core ensures effortless sharpening and excellent edge retention).
BLADE SHAPE:
Petty is a small knife for versatile use in the kitchen (a smaller version of the multipurpose gyuto knife). This blade is an essential part of any knife collection, taking on those more delicate tasks where longer knives prove too long and too steep. Because the blade is thin, this petty excels at delicate tasks, as it glides precisely and smoothly through food while ensuring comfortable and easy maneuverability. Petty knives are usually designed for in-hand use, but the width and length of the blade also make this knife well-suited for chopping and slicing on the cutting board. The shape of the blade has a gentle curve in the belly and is also great for rocking cutting technique.
Use for: peeling, trimming, garnishing, carving, chopping herbs, chopping garlic, slicing small pieces of dried meat, trimming meat, filleting small portions of fish, and similar tasks.
STEEL:
Hitachi's Silver III steel, also named Ginsan steel or Ginsanko, was hardened to around 63 HRC. Due to its high content of Chromium (Cr), Ginsan steel will resist corrosion very well. Despite it being a stainless steel, it feels and behaves very similarly to carbon steels, due to its extremely pure composition.
LAMINATION:
The core layer was sandwiched between 24 layers of softer steel. This technique is called san-mai damascus and is used to protect the hard (but delicate) core from outside factors and physical impacts, which could lead to breakage.
GEOMETRY:
It has a double bevel (symmetrical) blade.
BLADE FINISH:
The look of the knife is unique: the upper half of the blade shows hammer prints in the 25-layer damascus pattern, which isn't something you usually see on Japanese knives. The spine and choil (the curve that runs from the handle to the heel of the blade) are very nicely polished, so the knife will be comfortable to work with.
Damascus knives are a true work of art. These knives are handcrafted by skilled artisans who have honed their craft over generations, and their intricate designs are simply breathtaking. These patterns are created by folding layers of different types of steel together, and then repeatedly hammering and forging them until the desired pattern emerges. The resulting blade is both strong and sharp, with a distinctive, rippled pattern. The patterns themselves are often inspired by nature, with designs that resemble the waves of the ocean, the swirling of clouds, or the movement of wind. Each pattern is unique, and the process of creating them is a labor of love that requires patience, skill, and precision. |
HANDLE:
Octagon Japanese (Wa) style handle is made out of teak wood with a buffalo horn ferrule. Because of its symmetrical shape, the handle fits perfectly in both palms.
BLACKSMITH:
Blacksmith: The knife was designed and made by Yoshihiro Yauji, a young blacksmith based at Takefu Knife Village. He specializes in traditional, single-bevel knives. He started as an apprentice to master blacksmith Hideo Kitaoka. A few years ago, he set out on his own and launched his own knife range under his own name.
Brand: Hatsukokoro is a Japanese brand, established in 2019, that aims to be a bridge between Japan and the world. It seeks out the best products Japan has up its sleeve and develops sales channels to distribute them around the world. The meaning of Hatsukokoro comes from the Japanese proverb "do not forget your original purpose".
Blade shape: Petty
Steel type: Ginsan (Silver III)
Blade construction: San-mai / convex / damascus
Hardness (HRC scale): 63
Overall length: 280mm (11")
Blade length: 150mm (5.9")
Blade height: 37mm (1.5")
Spine thickness: 1.9mm (0.07")
Weight: 70g (2.5 oz)
Handle length: 113mm (4.4")
Handle type / wood: Japanese (Wa) style / teak, buffalo horn
Kanji on the blade:
Blacksmith: Hatsukokoro
Location of the smithy: ECHIZEN - TAKEFU KNIFE VILLAGE / Fukui Prefecture / Japan
☝️ Japanese kitchen knives in our store are handmade from natural materials. Slight variations in color, texture, weight and other dimensions are possible. We try to give a good photographic representation of our products, however computer screen resolution and colors do vary, so products might not look exactly as they are seen on screen.
☝️ THIS KNIFE MAY DEVELOP PATINA
Knives made of carbon steels can, due to their low chromium (Cr) content, discolor and develop patina. The knife is the most sensitive when it is still new and a patina had not developed yet, but later, patina will protect the blade. These types of knives require a touch more care:
✔ Wipe it regularly with a clean and dry cloth (you can also do this during use).
✔ After use, rinse it with lukewarm water and wipe it dry.
✔ Coat it regularly with knife maintenance oil or plain refined sunflower oil.
✔ Store the knife by wrapping it in paper which will absorb moisture and protect the blade.
A patina is a thin layer that forms on the surface of oxidized steel and protects it from further oxidation. The patina should not be confused with rust. Patina protects the blade, while rust causes corrosion and deterioration of material, so it should be removed (see Rust erasers).
→ For in-depth information about patina, read our dedicated post on patina.
GENERAL KNIFE CARE TIPS:
Blade wear depends on the quality of steel, usage and maintenance of the blade. Japanese knives are made of high-quality steels. Follow these tips to keep your Japanese knife in top-notch shape:
✔ Use a wooden, plastic or rubber cutting board.
✔ After use, wash the knives and wipe them dry.
✔ For storage, use a knife holder or a protective knife sheath (saya).
✔ A good cutting technique is your best bet to prolong sharpness.
✔ Use sharpening stones to sharpen the knife.
❗️Don’t leave the knife in the sink. Wash it by hand.
❗️Don’t wash the knife in the dishwasher.
❗️Don’t use the knife on glass, ceramics, marble or steel surfaces.
❗️Don’t scrape the food off the cutting board with the edge of the blade. Use the spine of the knife instead.
❗️Knife is a tool intended for specific use - cutting food. It is not a can opener, screwdriver, trowel, wire cutter, hammer etc.
→ For more details, read our guide
on Maintenance of Kitchen Knives.
🤙 Contact us if you need some help. We reply within 1 business day.
SHIPPING RATES:
- €10 - flat worldwide rate with DHL Express (express delivery, 2-5 business days).
- FREE - all orders over €300 (DHL Express).
EXCEPTIONS:
- United Kingdom - shipping to UK costs €15. All orders are shipped with UPS Express (2-3 business days). Free shipping on orders over €300.
- Russia (currently not available) - shipping to Russia costs €40. All orders are shipped with EMS postal service.
DUTIES AND IMPORT TAXES:
We ship all orders DDP (duties & taxes paid). This means you will not be charged for any import fees and taxes (including VAT). All our prices are final. The price you see at checkout is the final price, no hidden costs.
DELIVERY TIME:
- Europe: 1-2 business days
- US & Canada: 2-4 business days
- Rest of the World: 3-5 business days
RETURNS:
Our return policy lasts 30 days. If more than 30 days have gone by since the day you received your order, unfortunately we can’t offer you a refund or exchange.
→ Read our SHIPPING & RETURNS policy for more info. We strive to solve any issues fast and with as little hassle for you. If you have some additional questions, please contact us.
Each knife comes with:
✔️ Instructions and knife care leaflet.
✔️ A preventive Band-Aid – the knives are very sharp! 😉
✔️ Original box from the blacksmith, which we wrap in an old Japanese newspaper sheet – so every knife is ready to be passed on as a gift as soon as it hits your doorstep!
✔️ We also offer a special gift wrapping option with the traditional Japanese washi paper.
Quiz
Still doubting which type of Japanese knife should best fit your needs?
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