RIP : Kurosako Gekko HAP40

[JoBone]

From what I understand, Kurosaki will no longer produce these knives. Instead, he will offer a similar knife in VG-Xeos.

As a big fan of HAP40’s incredible edge retention, I’m sad to see these go.

Hopefully, the new steel will get good reviews. Has anyone tried them?

He may also decommission 2 other lines including the Fujin VG-10, but that is still up in the air.

 

[mockit]

I’m still trying to find an Ao Super Fujin Gyuto! Never heard of VG-Xeos. Maybe HAP40 was too hard to work with or prohibitively costly?

 

[jedy617]

Hap40 is awesome so that's a shame. I don't want any vg-xeos if it's anything like vg10. If it's takefu, has to be sg2 for me.

 

[superworrier]

Hap40 is awesome so that's a shame. I don't want any vg-xeos if it's anything like vg10. If it's takefu, has to be sg2 for me.

VG-XEOS sounds like it is ESR based on their page. VG XEOS®｜TAKEFU SPECIAL STEEL CO., LTD.

"We have developed a new grade of steel for blades that combines high corrosion resistance and high hardness at a high dimension, which had been difficult to achieve in the past, with a fine microstructure created by a special melting method that improves wear resistance, strength, and quenching properties."

 

[jedy617]

VG-XEOS sounds like it is ESR based on their page. VG XEOS®｜TAKEFU SPECIAL STEEL CO., LTD.

"We have developed a new grade of steel for blades that combines high corrosion resistance and high hardness at a high dimension, which had been difficult to achieve in the past, with a fine microstructure created by a special melting method that improves wear resistance, strength, and quenching properties."

Hey that's something at least. Wonder why they didn't just do PM if they could with SG2, although it does get confusing if they actually make steal or just roll it/make billets and distribute, IE R2 and SG2 being the same

 

[Justinv]

“high corrosion resistance and high hardness at a high dimension, which had been difficult to achieve in the past”

High dimension? If its actually good I would think marketing could come up with useful characteristics.

I agree with Jedy617, I really like hap40. My hap40 knife has always been easy to sharpen and gives awesome retention. Nothing else I’ve tried has kept up but a recent K390 purchase is looking promising.

 

[Justinv]

I did hear that Kurosaki had difficulty heat treating hap40 by eye in a traditional forge. Is that the problem? He doesn’t want go use a modern electric heat treating oven?

 

[M1k3]

Hey that's something at least. Wonder why they didn't just do PM if they could with SG2, although it does get confusing if they actually make steal or just roll it/make billets and distribute, IE R2 and SG2 being the same

Kobelco supposedly actually makes R2. Then Takefu does a dance, clads it and calls it SG2. How true that actually is (I made up the dance part), I'm not sure.

 

[Delat]

I’m still trying to find an Ao Super Fujin Gyuto! Never heard of VG-Xeos. Maybe HAP40 was too hard to work with or prohibitively costly?

Sold mine last year and still regret it. That’s the pick of the litter for Kurosaki’s work, imho.

 

[jedy617]

Kobelco supposedly actually makes R2. Then Takefu does a dance, clads it and calls it SG2. How true that actually is (I made up the dance part), I'm not sure.

Yeah that's what I heard

 

[blokey]

Takefu is surprisingly small, they roll out 220t of steel in a month and only have 54 people, in contrast Kobe steel has 38106 employees.
https://www.e-tokko.com/profile.php?lang=enhttps://www.kobelco.co.jp/english/about_kobelco/kobesteel/profile/index.html

 

[M1k3]

I wouldn't be surprised if Takefu more or less ordered from outside suppliers, and just did the rolling and cladding.

 

[ThirdJewel]

New Gekko petty just dropped on CKTG. Would be interested in hearing what people have to say about the steel once people start receiving them.

 

[DevinT]

Takefu doesn’t make steel, just rolls it out, including the laminated grades.

Hoss

 

[bahamaroot]

Kurosaki's profiles have just gotten to wonky for me, just can't warm up to the Senko or the Gekko. The sway back spines and hybrid K-tips don't do anything for me.