I used a Kagayaki VG10 for a little stint, and found it to be a nice knife. I actually like the strange purple handle and overall look, so that was never an issue for me. I remember being. Impressed by the edge it took, but I had a feelin that it would be chippy. It almost felt over hardened, and as though it might be brittle, but I never did chip it, or use it long enough to know for sure. The basic JCK VG1 has always had my attention, because I have a little Calphalon Katana nakiri that my wife will use from time to time, and I'll even play around with it for fun. I still like the little guy, despite its obvious strikes against it (balance is pretty far back, damascus purely for show, made in China...the known culprits). To be honest, I've been more impressed with the VG1 in the Katana than I have with any VG10 I've used. With that being said, I've never used a Hattori....