{"product_id":"xn-hatsukokoro-mercury-bunka-180mm-sg2-kurozome-damascus-olivewood-handle-0y59b","title":"Hatsukokoro Mercury Bunka 180mm – SG2 Kurozome Damascus, Olivewood Handle","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eHatsukokoro Mercury Bunka 180mm – SG2 Kurozome Damascus\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e⭐ Chosen by Sharp Knives Malta\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSelected for cooks who demand elite Japanese steel, exceptional precision, and craftsmanship that performs as beautifully as it looks.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompact Size. Professional Performance.\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eHatsukokoro Mercury Bunka\u003c\/strong\u003e brings together premium materials, refined Japanese craftsmanship, and laser-like cutting performance in a compact, highly versatile knife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHandcrafted in Japan, it pairs \u003cstrong\u003eSG2 (R2) powder steel\u003c\/strong\u003e with a striking \u003cstrong\u003eKurozome Damascus finish\u003c\/strong\u003e, creating a knife that excels in both performance and aesthetics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompact enough for outstanding control, yet capable of tackling almost every everyday kitchen task, this is a knife that quickly earns a permanent place on the cutting board.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho This Knife Is For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSerious home cooks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProfessional chefs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnthusiasts upgrading to premium Japanese steel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCooks who prefer compact, highly manoeuvrable knives\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuyers looking for a gift-ready knife with exceptional craftsmanship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy You'll Love It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSG2 Powder Steel – Premium Cutting Performance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the heart of the blade is \u003cstrong\u003eSG2 (R2) powder metallurgy steel\u003c\/strong\u003e, hardened to approximately \u003cstrong\u003e62–64 HRC\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the finest stainless steels used in Japanese kitchen knives, SG2 offers:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eexceptional sharpness\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eoutstanding edge retention\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eexcellent wear resistance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003esuperb corrosion resistance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eremarkably fine cutting feel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts ultra-fine grain structure allows the blade to take an incredibly refined edge while holding that sharpness significantly longer than most conventional stainless steels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKurozome Damascus Finish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade features a dramatic \u003cstrong\u003eblack-etched Damascus finish\u003c\/strong\u003e, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe layered construction:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003estrengthens the blade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eprotects the cutting core\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eimproves durability\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ecreates a distinctive pattern unique to every knife\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe deep contrast between the dark finish and flowing Damascus lines gives the Mercury series its unmistakable identity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBunka Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bunka is one of Japan's most versatile knife designs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts distinctive reverse tanto tip excels at:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eprecision work\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003efine vegetable preparation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eslicing meat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epreparing fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eeveryday kitchen tasks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe compact profile provides outstanding control while remaining capable enough to serve as a primary kitchen knife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLaser-Thin Blade Geometry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mercury is ground exceptionally thin behind the edge using a refined \u003cstrong\u003econvex (Hamaguri) grind\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis geometry delivers:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eeffortless cutting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eminimal resistance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eclean ingredient separation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eexcellent food release\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eoutstanding cutting efficiency\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's this blade geometry—combined with SG2 steel—that creates the smooth, effortless cutting experience premium Japanese knives are known for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOlivewood Wa Handle\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe traditional octagonal \u003cstrong\u003eolivewood handle\u003c\/strong\u003e provides:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003elightweight balance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ecomfortable grip\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eexcellent blade control\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ebeautiful natural grain unique to every knife\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts warm golden tones create a striking contrast against the dark Damascus blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCrafted in Japan\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHatsukokoro has earned a reputation for producing knives that combine exceptional blacksmithing with refined finishing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mercury series showcases that philosophy perfectly, blending advanced metallurgy with traditional Japanese craftsmanship in a knife built for serious everyday use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHandcrafted in Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSG2 (R2) powder steel core\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximately 62–64 HRC hardness\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKurozome stainless Damascus cladding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConvex (Hamaguri) grind\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTraditional Bunka profile\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOctagonal olivewood Wa handle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDouble bevel edge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hatsukokoro\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mercury\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKnife Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bunka\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlade Length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 180 mm (Approx. 175 mm Cutting Edge)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCore Steel:\u003c\/strong\u003e SG2 (R2) Powder Steel\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 62–64 HRC\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stainless Damascus\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kurozome Damascus\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrind:\u003c\/strong\u003e Convex (Hamaguri)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHandle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Octagonal Olivewood\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEdge:\u003c\/strong\u003e Double Bevel\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eComplete Your Setup\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePair it with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnd-Grain Cutting Board\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeather Strop\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJapanese Whetstone (1000 \/ 3000 grit)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMagnetic Knife Holder\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy We Like This Knife\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt \u003cstrong\u003eSharp Knives Malta\u003c\/strong\u003e, we look for knives that combine exceptional steel with exceptional geometry. The \u003cstrong\u003eHatsukokoro Mercury Bunka\u003c\/strong\u003e does exactly that. Its SG2 core, laser-thin grind, and beautifully executed Damascus finish create a knife that feels remarkably precise while remaining practical enough for everyday cooking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFinal Word\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome knives impress with their appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOthers impress every time they touch the board.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eHatsukokoro Mercury Bunka\u003c\/strong\u003e delivers both—combining elite SG2 steel, refined Japanese craftsmanship, and effortless cutting performance in one beautifully balanced knife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompact. Precise. Built without compromise.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sharp Knives Malta","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55536771891542,"sku":"XN-HTS-MRC-BNK","price":270.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1046\/2609\/4422\/files\/Hatsukokoro_20Mercury_20Bunka_20180mm_47d9efdb-8add-4906-953d-a73e142d4cb7.jpg?v=1790740689","url":"https:\/\/sharpknivesmalta.com\/products\/xn-hatsukokoro-mercury-bunka-180mm-sg2-kurozome-damascus-olivewood-handle-0y59b","provider":"Sharp Knives Malta","version":"1.0","type":"link"}