{"product_id":"hatsukokoro-shinkiro-unstamped-kurouchi-damascus-as-gyuto-240mm","title":"Hatsukokoro Shinkiro (unstamped) kurouchi damascus AS gyuto 240mm","description":"\u003cp\u003eHandforged in Fukushima by Takahiro Nihei, this 240mm gyuto from the Shinkiro series by Hatsukokoro features an Aogami Super core clad in damascus. It is an unstamped variant with no Hatsukokoro kanji, made at the request of enthusiasts who prefer a plain blade face.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Japanese chef's knife has a nice heft to it and cuts well. Midweight grind and thin behind the edge. The blade road has minimal low spots, making stone work more manageable for anyone wanting to do a kasumi finish later.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHand-forged in Fukushima, Japan by Takahiro Nihei\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnstamped (no Hatsukokoro kanji)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e243mm (9.6\") cutting edge, 52mm heel height\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAogami Super core with iron clad damascus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBalance point at the pinch grip area\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOctagonal wenge handle with resin ferrule\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFor left- and right-handed users\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"background: #f6f6f6; padding: 10px 12px; margin: 32px 0 16px 0; border-radius: 4px; font-style: italic; color: #555; font-size: 0.8em;\"\u003ePricing reflects a recent increase from the maker (August 2026)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 0.85em; margin-top: 28px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTakahiro Nihei\u003c\/strong\u003e is a blacksmith based in Iitate, Fukushima, and the fourth generation of Yasuragi Kobo. He trained under Kazuomi Yamamoto at Yoshikane Hamono in Sanjo and opened his own workshop in 2019. He handles all work himself from forging to final sharpening. Nihei-san is currently working toward his swordsmith certification alongside his knife work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: none; border-top: 1px solid #e0e0e0; margin-top: 36px; margin-bottom: 36px;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDetails\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/zahocho.com\/collections\/hatsukokoro\" title=\"Hatsukokoro knives\"\u003eHatsukokoro\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries\u003c\/strong\u003e: Shinkiro\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlacksmith\u003c\/strong\u003e: Takahiro Nihei\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e: Fukushima, Japan\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKnife Type\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/zahocho.com\/collections\/gyuto-knives\" title=\"Gyuto knives\"\u003egyuto\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e: kurouchi damascus\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCore Steel\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/zahocho.com\/collections\/hitachi-blue-super-aogami-super\" title=\"Aogami Super knives\"\u003eAogami Super\u003c\/a\u003e (Blue Super)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteel Type\u003c\/strong\u003e: carbon\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCladding\u003c\/strong\u003e: iron clad damascus\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBlade \u0026amp; Handle Specs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverall Length\u003c\/strong\u003e: 398mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlade Length - heel to tip\u003c\/strong\u003e: 243mm (9.6\")\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlade Height at Heel\u003c\/strong\u003e: 52mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpine Thickness\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e  At the handle: 4.6mm\u003cbr\u003e  At the heel: 3.7mm\u003cbr\u003e  Midway: 2.4mm\u003cbr\u003e  1cm from the tip: 0.8mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 231g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBalance Point\u003c\/strong\u003e: pinch grip area\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHandle\u003c\/strong\u003e: octagonal wenge with resin ferrule\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHand Orientation\u003c\/strong\u003e: ambidextrous\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSaya\/Sheath\u003c\/strong\u003e: none\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBox\u003c\/strong\u003e: included\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background: #f5f5f5; padding: 28px 24px 24px 32px; margin-top: 16px; border-radius: 6px; font-size: 0.85em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNotes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"padding-left: 0; margin-left: 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe photo shows one of the knives from our current stock, so it may not be the exact one you'll receive. Each knife is handmade, so no two are exactly alike. \u003cstrong\u003eIf you'd like to see the actual knife, email us at info@zahocho.com.\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKurouchi finish varies from knife to knife. Fading, patchy spots, and light scratching are normal characteristics, not defects. If you prefer a clean \u0026amp; uniform finish, other finish types may suit you better.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHandle is fitted by the maker and shipped as-is. We don't offer handle swaps.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Takahiro Nihei","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48234666787052,"sku":"HSKDASG240","price":90000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0248\/5075\/9729\/files\/hatsukokoro-shinkiro-nihei-aogami-super-kurouchi-damascus-gyuto-240mm-unstamped-wenge-full.webp?v=1787799203","url":"https:\/\/zahocho.com\/products\/hatsukokoro-shinkiro-unstamped-kurouchi-damascus-as-gyuto-240mm","provider":"Zahocho Knives Tokyo","version":"1.0","type":"link"}