Hatsukokoro Mercury Santoku Kurozome Damascus 180mm (7.1") [Mono Olivewood]

Perfectly suited for professional kitchens, this Hatsukokoro Santoku is super lightweight and exceptionally well-balanced at the handle, offering effortless control even during long prep sessions. The laser-thin blade, forged from SG2 powder steel, delivers precise cuts with great out-of-the-box sharpness.

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:
The santoku is a compact Japanese knife, perfect for small kitchens and limited counter space without sacrificing performance. Ideal for precise and controlled cutting tasks: slicing, dicing, and mincing a variety of ingredients, including meat, fish, and vegetables, making it a highly functional tool for professional and home kitchens alike.

The blade is laser thin at the edge with a fair amount of belly toward the tip, making rocking motions smooth, while the flat spot near the heel is ideal for chopping. The tip excels at front-end drawing cuts, though a slightly higher handle lift is needed for maximum control. With a height of almost 50 mm, it offers ample knuckle clearance for safe, comfortable slicing.

*The blade measures 175mm (from heel to tip), although the manufacturer’s specifications list it as 180mm.

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 of the blade. 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 a black-etched kurozome Damascus finish, which is slightly raised—helping food release effortlessly during cutting. 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.