{"product_id":"hatsukokoro-x-yoshihiro-yauji-blue-2-damascus-yanagiba-240mm","title":"Hatsukokoro x Yoshihiro Yauji Blue 2 Damascus Yanagiba 240mm","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"product-details__block\"\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/www.knivesandstones.com.au\/cdn\/shop\/files\/hatsukokoro_transparent2_cfb6d8da-6e77-45f6-8dfd-7184ae866545_small.png?v=1708757456\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"metafield-rich_text_field\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYoshihiro Yauji is not a widely known name yet, but the work speaks for itself. A member of Takefu Knife Village and a student of Hideo Kitaoka — one of the region's foremost specialists in single bevel knives — Yauji handles both the forging and sharpening himself, keeping production numbers genuinely small. Hatsukokoro commissions and distributes this line in a similar arrangement to their collaboration with Yoshikane, meaning the knives arrive with Hatsukokoro's quality oversight while retaining the individual character that only a sole maker can deliver. Note that some older batch of this knife would come with Yauji's own engraving 寛 Kutsurogi, please refer to the product picture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe construction is Nimai — a Blue 2 (Aogami 2) carbon steel core hand laminated with soft iron Damascus cladding. The Damascus here isn't the bold, high-contrast variety you'd find on double bevel lines; the Kasumi finish polished over it produces something softer and more nuanced, a hazy, layered surface that reads almost like a natural stone finish. It's understated in the best possible way, and the level of polish Yauji achieves on this is genuinely impressive for a single maker working in limited quantities. The iron cladding does mean the entire blade needs careful maintenance to stay rust-free, which is worth factoring in before committing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes this line particularly interesting is the blade geometry. For a Yanagiba the spine is notably thin, sitting closer to the profile of a Takobiki, which makes these knives feel lighter and more nimble in hand than a traditional Yanagiba of equivalent length. The single bevel construction and thin edge make for clean, precise slicing through delicate proteins, which is exactly what this type of knife is built for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor context on value, the Nakagawa Blue 1 Damascus single bevel line is a natural comparison point — comparable construction approach, similarly stunning finish. This line steps in with Blue 2 steel and a slightly different finish character at a noticeably lower price, and I'd say a meaningful portion of the Nakagawa premium comes down to reputation and name recognition rather than a functional gap most users would notice in daily use. For enthusiasts and professional chefs who want a genuine Takefu single bevel knife with a compelling backstory and excellent finish, this is a hard line to overlook.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-details__block\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pros_and_cons\"\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"spec-description\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 106.375px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 58.0105%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePros\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd bgcolor=\"f0f2f2\" style=\"width: 40.2037%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCons\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 86.7812px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 58.0105%; height: 86.7812px;\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"procon\"\u003eGreat artistic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"procon\"\u003eExcellent fit and finish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"procon\"\u003eThin behind the edge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd bgcolor=\"f0f2f2\" style=\"width: 40.2037%; height: 86.7812px;\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"procon\"\u003eProne to rust\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetailed Specifications\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"spec-description\" cellspacing=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eLine\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd bgcolor=\"f0f2f2\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.knivesandstones.com.au\/pages\/line\/hatsukokoro-x-yoshihiro-yauji-blue-2-damascus-single-bevel\"\u003eHatsukokoro x Yoshihiro Yauji Blue 2 Damascus Single Bevel\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eProfile\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd bgcolor=\"f0f2f2\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.knivesandstones.com.au\/pages\/profile\/yanagiba\"\u003eYanagiba\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eBevel Type\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd bgcolor=\"f0f2f2\"\u003eSingle Bevel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd bgcolor=\"f0f2f2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual__metric\"\u003e164 g\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual__sep\"\u003e|\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual__imperial\"\u003e5.8 oz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eEdge Length\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd bgcolor=\"f0f2f2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual__metric\"\u003e230 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual__sep\"\u003e|\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual__imperial\"\u003e9 1\/16″\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eHeel Height\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd bgcolor=\"f0f2f2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual__metric\"\u003e34 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual__sep\"\u003e|\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual__imperial\"\u003e1 11\/32″\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eWidth @ Heel\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd bgcolor=\"f0f2f2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual__metric\"\u003e2.9 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual__sep\"\u003e|\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual__imperial\"\u003e7\/64″\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eWidth @ Mid\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd bgcolor=\"f0f2f2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual__metric\"\u003e2.5 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual__sep\"\u003e|\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual__imperial\"\u003e3\/32″\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eWidth @ 1cm from Tip\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd bgcolor=\"f0f2f2\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual__metric\"\u003e0.6 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual__sep\"\u003e|\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"kns-dual__imperial\"\u003e1\/32″\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eSteel\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd bgcolor=\"f0f2f2\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.knivesandstones.com.au\/pages\/steel\/blue-2-aogami-2\"\u003eBlue 2 \/ Aogami #2 | Carbon\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eBlade Construction\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd bgcolor=\"f0f2f2\"\u003eNimai- Soft Iron Damascus Clad\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eHardness (HRC)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd bgcolor=\"f0f2f2\"\u003e61 - 63\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eSurface Finish\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd bgcolor=\"f0f2f2\"\u003eKasumi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eHandle\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd bgcolor=\"f0f2f2\"\u003eCurly Maple with S\/S Ferrule- Blue\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eRegion\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd bgcolor=\"f0f2f2\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.knivesandstones.com.au\/pages\/maker\/hatsukokoro\"\u003eHyogo\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eBest for\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd bgcolor=\"f0f2f2\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePro chefs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnthusiasts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Instruction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"even\"\u003eDon't cut hard things! Japanese knives are brittle so bone hacking is a NO NO!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"odd\"\u003eWash with neutral detergent after use, and wipe dry;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"even\"\u003ePlease don't wash knife with dishwasher, it will damage the wood handle;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"odd\"\u003eBe careful not to leave the knife close to a heat source for a long time;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"even\"\u003eIt is a lot more dangerous to cut with a blunt knife than a sharp knife!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"odd\"\u003eIt is best to sharpen a Japanese knife regularly on a waterstone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"even\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOil the (carbon) knife if storing for an extended period of time to prevent rust.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hatsukokoro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51825013391648,"sku":"YAUJ_B2DA_YA240","price":459.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0819\/1043\/2032\/files\/DSC_4330.webp?v=1781224984","url":"https:\/\/kakumei.com.au\/products\/hatsukokoro-x-yoshihiro-yauji-blue-2-damascus-yanagiba-240mm","provider":"Kakumei","version":"1.0","type":"link"}