Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD Gyuto 195mm

Hatsukokoro is a brand unlike many others. 

Based in Amagasaki, Japan, this company works with a network of highly skilled blacksmiths, sharpeners, and other traditional artisans to produce some of the best knives on the market. 

Established in 2013, H&K Co. Ltd. began as a distributor of some of Japan's finest products with the goal of bridging the gap between Japan and the rest of the world.

The name Hatsukokoro was inspired by a Japanese proverb meaning 'don't forget your original intention.'

SLD is a great long lasting steel to work with. Based on SKD-11, Hitachi steel works in Japan has fine tuned the combination of alloys to come up with a nice longer wearing and stain resistant metal. Originally used in tool and die stamping, this steel has been finding its way into kitchen knives more and more.