Fashionable Hatsukokoro Shirasagi White #2 Sakimaru Yanagiba 330mm

First Impressions

The Shirasagi single bevel is an impressive selection of blades across their entire range. Made by Tamura Tooru at Myojin Hamono for Hatsukokoro, they show a great level of consistency and up close the fit and finish is of a high standard.

These are all single bevel blades designed exclusively for right handed use.

Beauty

The Shirasagi name is inspired by the Japanese White Egret due to the use of the White #2 steel for the core of the knives (in the same way Hatsukokoro named theirKurosagi range for the Black Heron) and there’s no doubt this is a great looking knife.

The brushed migaki finish runs at a 45 degree angle along the main body of the blade cladding before it begins to taper and the finish then runs horizonally along the length of the blade before it reaches the exposed cutting edge.

On the top side of the knife, it’s a big, flat slab of steel with the 45 degree migaki brush finish running the full side of the single bevel knife.

Paired with a tradtional octagonal teak (the deba in this range are fitted with wenge and a limited selection of new colourways are also available)wa handle this is a fabulous looking knife on either side of the blade.

In Hand

The finishing skill and attention to detailmakes the shirasagi a very nice knife to hold. The rounding and edge of the heel are very comfortable indeed and it just “sits” in your hand when using a pinch grip (on the gyutos specifically) really nicely.

Durability

You can’t go far wrong with the combination of White #2 core clad in soft iron. It’s reliable, tried and tested over many years and will take and hold an edge very well and their overall thickness definitely make for a robust knife.

Ease of Care

Normal carbon steel care instructions apply and because this is a fully reactive knife with a soft iron cladding, it will develop a great patina over time with use.

Our Verdict

This is a single bevel collection of knives designed for right handed use only and it’s a really fun to use and reassuringly thick and hefty knife (the gyutos) and in the case of the yanagiba, elegant slicers that are beautifully made and finished from a quality and reliable steel choice.

Hatukokoro have collaborated well in recent times with their partners and designed and created some really impressive knife collections and the Shirasagi is another one that’s going to hit the spot at a competitive price point for those seeking a single bevel knife.