Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU Santoku 165mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate
Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU Santoku 165mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate
Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU Santoku 165mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate
Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU Santoku 165mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate
Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU Santoku 165mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate
Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU Santoku 165mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate
Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU Santoku 165mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate
Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU Santoku 165mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate
Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU Santoku 165mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate
Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU Santoku 165mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate
Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU Santoku 165mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate
Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU Santoku 165mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate
Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU Santoku 165mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate
Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU Santoku 165mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate
Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU Santoku 165mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate
Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU Santoku 165mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate

Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS KU Santoku 165mm Kurouchi by Hatsukokoro Black Chacate

$179.95 Sale • Save

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This isn’t a knife for Instagram – it’s a hardworking Aogami Super beast with a cult following among chefs who care more about cutting than cosmetics. Master smith Motokyuuichi (of "Tsubaya Black" fame) applies his legendary low-temperature, long-soak heat treatment to Hitachi’s premium steel, achieving a 64+ HRC edge that stays viciously sharp yet resists chipping.

The hand-forged AS core is clad in soft iron, with a deliberately rustic finish – uneven hammer marks, subtle warps, and all. These aren’t flaws; they’re proof of real workshop craftsmanship over factory perfection. Expect stellar food release from the coarser finish, and a thin-but-sturdy grind that handles everything from herbs to squash.

Why it’s a sleeper hit:

→ Unmatched edge retention – "Stays sharp longer than knives twice its price" (Reddit user)

→ Forgiving toughness – Motokyuuichi’s tempering prevents AS’s usual brittleness

→ Zero pretension – No fancy branding, just a fierce cutter that pros quietly recommend

For those tired of overpolined "luxury" blades, this is the anti-status-symbol workhorse – rough around the edges, relentless where it counts.

Pros Cons
  • Budget friendly
  • Excellent performance
  • Workhorse grind
  • Relatively hard to sharpen
  • Prone to rust
  • Fit and finish can be improved

Detailed Specifications

Line Hatsukokoro Motokyuuichi Kurosagi AS
Profile Santoku
Bevel Type Double Bevel
Weight 153 g|5.4 oz
Edge Length 165 mm|6 1/2″
Heel Height 48 mm|1 57/64″
Width @ Spine 2.8 mm|7/64″
Width @ Mid 2.3 mm|3/32″
Width @ 1cm from Tip 1.2 mm|3/64″
Steel Blue Super / Aogami Super | Carbon
Blade Construction Sanmai - Soft Iron Clad
Hardness (HRC) 62 - 65
Surface Finish Kurouchi
Handle Octagonal Black Chacate
Region Nagasaki
Best for
  • Pro chefs
  • Enthusiasts

Care Instruction

  1. Don't cut hard things! Japanese knives are brittle so bone hacking is a NO NO!
  2. Wash with neutral detergent after use, and wipe dry;
  3. Please don't wash knife with dishwasher, it will damage the wood handle;
  4. Be careful not to leave the knife close to a heat source for a long time;
  5. It is a lot more dangerous to cut with a blunt knife than a sharp knife!
  6. It is best to sharpen a Japanese knife regularly on a waterstone.
  7. Oil the (carbon) knife if storing for an extended period of time to prevent rust.

Most of our products are handmade in Japan, and sometimes the one that you receive maybe slightly different to the photo. This is very common and in no way it will affect the performance of the product.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do feel free to let us know.

AUTHENTIC JAPAN

authentic japan

Kakumei and its sister shop Knives and Stones has been in the Japanese homeware industry for almost 10 years. We have suppliers all over Japan: from Nigara Hamono in Aomori to the Satsuma Kirko Kagoshima.

We work hard to bring you some of the most trendy

Price Guarantee

We work directly with our suppliers in Japan and we have container shipments arriving regularly, and most importantly we sell direct to the public. Through the website and our 3 shops.

We are proud to privde you with the best products at the best prices. If you see a cheaper price elsewhere, please let us know and we will match them.

Price Guarantee

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