The Hatsukokoro Kurozome series is one of those collections that immediately stands apart once seen in person. The darker Kurozome finish gives the Damascus layers a deep smoky contrast that shifts subtly under light, creating a blade that feels refined, aggressive, and highly detailed all at once. It carries a more dramatic visual presence than many traditional polished Damascus knives while still remaining elegant and highly usable.

This particular 170mm Bunka was assembled here at the shop as a true 1 of 1 custom build, fitted with a beautifully figured grey stabilized maple wood handle, paired to a custom epoxy ferrule, and finished with a striking blue translucent resin tip. The softer grey tones of the stabilized maple create a colder, more modern aesthetic that flows naturally into the darker Kurozome blade finish, while the translucent blue section introduces depth, light, and contrast without overwhelming the overall design.

As light passes through the resin tip, the blue tones begin to shift and glow subtly depending on angle and lighting, giving the handle an almost floating visual effect in hand. The darker epoxy ferrule helps create a seamless transition between the blade and handle, tying the entire custom assembly together into something that feels highly cohesive and intentionally built.

Beyond the aesthetics, the Kurozome series is also known for its excellent cutting performance. The grind is thin behind the edge with an extremely agile feel through ingredients, making the knife exceptionally smooth for vegetables, herbs, detailed prep work, and precise slicing. The stainless Damascus construction also keeps maintenance significantly easier than traditional reactive carbon steel while still delivering excellent sharpness and edge retention.

The Bunka profile brings a slightly more aggressive and versatile personality compared to a traditional Santoku. Its flatter profile works beautifully for push cutting and chopping, while the angled K-tip offers excellent precision for finer tasks like onions, herbs, garlic, and detailed prep work. At 170mm, it feels compact, nimble, and highly controllable without sacrificing enough blade length to still comfortably handle larger ingredients.

A highly unique custom configuration that blends modern handle craftsmanship, dramatic visual contrast, and everyday high-performance cutting into a knife that simply will not exist twice.