Hatsukokoro Mercury Gyuto Kurozome Damascus 210mm (8.3") [Mono Olivewood]

Perfectly designed for professional kitchens, the Hatsukokoro Gyuto is lightweight and well-balanced, offering effortless control even during long prep sessions. Its laser-thin blade, forged from SG2 powder steel, delivers precise cuts and outstanding out-of-the-box sharpness. Finished with multi-layer Damascus cladding that pops with an acid-etched design, it combines performance, durability, and striking aesthetics in one heirloom-quality knife.

In short, this knife combines precision, balance, and functionality: laser-thin, excellent food release, ergonomic, and perfectly engineered geometry—truly 10/10 in feel and performance.

BLADE SHAPE:
Perfect for slicing steak, fish, and vegetables, this Gyuto handles prep with ease. Given its 210 mm length, this knife offers exceptional precision while allowing you to handle larger ingredients with ease.

STEEL:
SG2 steel is a powder steel, renowned for its hardness and subsequent edge retention—due to a high carbon (C) content of 1.5%. The steel is also high in chromium (Cr)—around 15%, which adds to corrosion resistance and Molybdenum (Mo) that improves the blade’s wear resistance. SG2 steel blades will be able to achieve a fine sharpness due to the fine microstructure of the steel and will keep it—without having to worry about maintenance and corrosion.

LAMINATION:
The hard SG2 core is sandwiched between 15 layers of softer stainless steel on each side, finished with a striking Damascus pattern. This san-mai construction protects the delicate core from impacts and everyday use while keeping the blade strong, durable, and resistant to breakage.

GEOMETRY:
A convex (hamaguri) grind features an outward-curving, clam-shaped edge inspired by traditional katana blades. It improves sharpness, food release, and edge strength by keeping more steel behind the edge.

BLADE FINISH:
The blade features multi-layer Damascus cladding with an acid-etched finish that makes the layers visually pop, highlighting the combination of materials. The knife is beautifully finished with etched Kanji on the right side of the blade.

The spine and corners are carefully polished, with a flawlessly finished choil and polished edges for a refined, ergonomic feel. The rounded choil and spine prevent hand fatigue, even during extended use.

HANDLE:
The knife features a Japanese (Wa) octagon handle crafted from a single piece of olive wood—an unusual choice for Japanese knives. Its slightly lighter density shifts the balance point subtly toward the handle, so with a pinch grip it feels slightly handle-heavy, but overall remains neutral and well-balanced. The handle is expertly finished with a tight seal and flawless fit. The warm tone of the olive wood beautifully complements the dark, etched Damascus blade.