The Hitohira Hizen Kurouchi Shirogami #2 Santoku 165 mm Japanese knife is a tool designed for versatile use in the kitchen. It has a 165 mm santoku blade profile, made from Shirogami #2 carbon steel (plated on soft iron) with a kurouchi finish. The handle is made from oval-shaped walnut.
The blade is made of carbon steel for cutting, coated with soft iron for durability. The kurouchi finish preserves the raw forged surface on the top of the blade, while the cutting area is polished, creating a visual contrast and reducing reflection. The manufacturer's dimensions for this model are: total length 311 mm, blade ~170 mm, blade height ~44 mm, thickness ~2.7 mm.
In use, this Japanese knife offers a precise and dynamic cutting feel: White #2 steel is known for its good edge retention among carbon steels, resulting in a fine cutting edge. The kurouchi finish helps reduce adhesion, resulting in a smoother glide through cuts. The walnut handle provides a comfortable grip, suitable for both occasional cooks and regular chefs. However, as with any non-stainless carbon steel, some care is required: the blade may tarnish, so it is recommended that you wipe it immediately after use, avoid the dishwasher, and do not leave it standing in water. The finer grind also means that it may require regular sharpening to maintain its performance.
For maintenance: after each use, rinse with hot water, dry thoroughly, then apply a very thin layer of neutral oil to the blade to prevent corrosion. The walnut handle can be lightly oiled occasionally. Although the kurouchi finish accepts patina, if you wish to preserve the original color, avoid exposing it to water or acids for too long. For sharpening, use water stones with a suitable grain size (1000-3000) and then finish with 6000+ to maintain the edge.