# ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Hatsukokoro Kaijin Blue #2 Stainless Clad Gyuto 210mm – Mono Ebony
*New knife for the kitchen — and a little Japanese craftsmanship to enjoy.*
### Quick Specs
- **Price Paid:** Approximately NZ$282
- **Category:** Japanese kitchen knives — carbon steel, stainless-clad
- **Key Features:** Blue Steel #2 core, stainless cladding, thin cutting profile, tall blade, Mono Ebony Wa handle, rapid patina development
## 1. First Impressions
I absolutely love this knife, and better yet, so does my partner, which is rather important considering I bought it for her!
At just 153cm (5'1"), she makes a 210mm Gyuto look like a miniature sword, but that is part of the charm. It looks fantastic, feels beautifully made and arrived exceptionally sharp straight out of the box.
What makes this purchase particularly special is that it is firmly *her* knife. She has never owned a proper knife of her own before, and she is genuinely excited about learning to use and care for it. As an ex-chef, I get to pass on a little of what I know, which makes the whole experience even better.
## 2. Design & Build
This is Japanese craftsmanship at its finest without venturing into the truly astronomical prices of some premium knives.
The Blue Steel #2 cutting core is protected by stainless cladding, giving you the cutting characteristics of carbon steel without quite as much exposed reactive steel to worry about.
The blade is relatively thin, nicely tall and beautifully finished. The Mono Ebony Wa handle complements it wonderfully, giving the whole knife an elegant appearance.
One particularly interesting characteristic is how quickly the exposed carbon steel develops a patina. Ours started changing almost immediately, and I rather like that. Every knife will develop its own character over time.
## 3. Daily Use
We've only had it for about a week, and unfortunately life has been getting in the way of spending as much time in the kitchen as we'd like.
Nevertheless, the occasions we've used it have been excellent. This is intended to become my partner's daily driver, and provided she looks after it properly, I can see it serving her for many years.
There's something satisfying about having a proper knife that belongs to you, rather than simply grabbing whichever one happens to be available.
## 4. Best Features
Sharpness is undoubtedly the standout feature. It glides through ingredients with very little effort, allowing beautifully fine cuts without needing to force the blade.
It's also remarkably light and nimble for its size.
Then there's the patina. Some people might dislike seeing their shiny new knife change colour almost immediately, but I love it. It gives the blade personality, and no two will age quite the same way.
## 5. Annoyances / Problems
There are really only two annoyances, and neither is particularly serious.
The first is the traditional Japanese Wa handle. My partner finds it perfectly comfortable, but having spent years working professionally with predominantly German knives, it feels rather unusual in my hands. That's not a fault with the knife; it's simply something I'll need to get accustomed to.
The second annoyance is considerably more expensive.
**I liked this knife so much that I've already bought the 240mm version for myself!**
So apparently my partner getting a new knife has resulted in both of us getting one. Funny how that works.
## 6. Performance
Fantastic.
It's light, exceptionally sharp and makes precise cutting feel almost effortless. The thin blade profile allows it to move through ingredients cleanly, and the additional blade height provides useful knuckle clearance.
It's the sort of knife that reminds you why good kitchen equipment is worth investing in.
## 7. Would I Buy It Again?
Well, technically no.
But only because I've already bought the bigger 240mm version for myself, so I suppose the actual answer is an emphatic yes!
## Gadget Scorecard
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Build Quality | 10/10 |
| Comfort — Me | 7/10 |
| Comfort — Partner | 10/10 |
| Cutting Performance | 10/10 |
| Value for Money | 10/10 |
## Verdict
**⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — 5/5 stars**
A beautiful, exceptionally sharp Japanese kitchen knife that delivers premium cutting performance without entering the ridiculous end of knife pricing.
My partner loves it, I love it, and the fact that I've already purchased its bigger brother probably says more than any score ever could.
## Who It's For / Not For
This is for someone who enjoys cooking, appreciates quality equipment and is prepared to spend a little more on a knife that can provide years of enjoyment.
At approximately NZ$282, it's certainly not cheap, but neither is it outrageously expensive compared with some of the more exotic Japanese knives available.
However, **if you're the sort of person who throws knives into a drawer, leaves them sitting in the sink or pu...
