I purchased this knife from Cutlery and More after my experience with its little brother, the Bunka version. The rustic finish and #2 Blue steel core make this one mean looking knife. Its a little thicker on the spine than most other knives, and the feel is one of strength and stability. The finish on the spine and the choil is a little "rustic", but this just adds to the hand made look of this knife. #2 Blue Carbon steel takes a fantastic edge, and this one is sharp as a razor straight out of the box.
It glides through vegetables and meat with aplomb, making cuts effortless. It also feels like it can stand up to some abuse, but I treat my knives with respect, so I can't report on that. Make sure you use a proper cutting board to maintain this knife's sharpness.
Any knife made by the craftsmen at Hatsukokoro is a winner!
