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Bunka knives are gaining in popularity. Their compact length, tall height, and reverse tanto-style tips make them perfect all-arounders in many home and professional kitchens. They are fun to use for many styles of cutting and chopping, and the pointed delicate tips make them great for fine detail work like garnish prep. These knives are tight, fast, and dexterous in use. Plus they look so cool!
The Kanehiro AS Bunka knives are forged by master blacksmith Yoshimi Kato along with his father and small crew. They are made with a core of Aogami Super steel which is then clad with soft stainless steel. This cladding protects most of the knife from adversely reacting with acids or moisture. In fact, they will only oxidize right along the edge, which minimizes the maintenance required by fully carbon steel blades. Knife users love Aogami Super steel because it takes an acute edge and holds it throughout prolonged use. The core steel has a high hardness rate of HRC 62-63. The blade takes on a refined rustic look with the addition of a nashiji (pear skin) treatment to the upper blade surface.
Overall fit and finish are really well achieved. The handle is a traditional hexagonal type. Please note that the dimensions will vary from knife to knife as these are completely hand made.Blacksmith: Yoshimi Kato
Location: Takefu Village, Echizen Japan
Construction: San Mai Hammer Forged
Edge Steel: AS
HRC: 62
Edge Grind: Even See Choil Shot
Weight: 4.4 ounces
Blade Length: 165 mm
Total Length: 305 mm
Spine Thickness at Base: 2.8 mm
Blade Height: 47.1 mm
The Kanehiro AS Bunka knives are forged by master blacksmith Yoshimi Kato along with his father and small crew. They are made with a core of Aogami Super steel which is then clad with soft stainless steel. This cladding protects most of the knife from adversely reacting with acids or moisture. In fact, they will only oxidize right along the edge, which minimizes the maintenance required by fully carbon steel blades. Knife users love Aogami Super steel because it takes an acute edge and holds it throughout prolonged use. The core steel has a high hardness rate of HRC 62-63. The blade takes on a refined rustic look with the addition of a nashiji (pear skin) treatment to the upper blade surface.
Overall fit and finish are really well achieved. The handle is a traditional hexagonal type. Please note that the dimensions will vary from knife to knife as these are completely hand made.
Reviews
10 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Beautiful knife!Posted By: Ode Poesmann - verified customer
This knife is incredibly beautiful. It's not a laser, and it was quite sharp OOTB, but not scary sharp. I tried to sharpen it on my water stones, with my inexistant skills (I never sharpened a knife before), and now it can cut through a sheet of paper, but not without a little bit of struggling (but it's my fault, I know it). This knife is excellent to cut through peppers and tomatoes, but it's less efficient to cut through onions and baked potatoes. The problem is not the edge, but the sides of the blade, because onions and potatoes stick on them, and it's hard to release them. I'm still very happy with my purchase, I hope this knife will last me a life time, and it's a real pleasure to use it!
This knife is incredibly beautiful. It's not a laser, and it was quite sharp OOTB, but not scary sharp. I tried to sharpen it on my water stones, with my inexistant skills (I never sharpened a knife before), and now it can cut through a sheet of paper, but not without a little bit of struggling (but it's my fault, I know it). This knife is excellent to cut through peppers and tomatoes, but it's less efficient to cut through onions and baked potatoes. The problem is not the edge, but the sides of the blade, because onions and potatoes stick on them, and it's hard to release them. I'm still very happy with my purchase, I hope this knife will last me a life time, and it's a real pleasure to use it!
Truly exceptional craftsmanshipPosted By: Alex - verified customer
A knife built for everyday use but executed to the highest standard. I haven't seen anything this well done, let alone at this price!
Use it mostly for push cutting fruits and vegetables but it does have a little curve to the belly if you want to rock for mincing garlic or something. Nimble tip is great for precise cuts in tight spots.
Good balance; light but enough weight to keep it where you want it. AS steel takes a nice edge - not too hard to maintain. Came pretty sharp out of the box too. The finish on the blade is super cool and the handle is clean, smooth and comfortable.
It will stay in my kitchen for life!
A knife built for everyday use but executed to the highest standard. I haven't seen anything this well done, let alone at this price!
Use it mostly for push cutting fruits and vegetables but it does have a little curve to the belly if you want to rock for mincing garlic or something. Nimble tip is great for precise cuts in tight spots.
Good balance; light but enough weight to keep it where you want it. AS steel takes a nice edge - not too hard to maintain. Came pretty sharp out of the box too. The finish on the blade is super cool and the handle is clean, smooth and comfortable.
It will stay in my kitchen for life!
Truly exceptional craftsmanshipPosted By: Alex - verified customer
A knife built for everyday use but executed to the highest standard. I haven't seen anything this well done, let alone at this price!
Use it mostly for push cutting fruits and vegetables but it does have a little curve to the belly if you want to rock for mincing garlic or something. Nimble tip is great for precise cuts in tight spots.
Good balance; light but enough weight to keep it where you want it. AS steel takes a nice edge - not too hard to maintain. Came pretty sharp out of the box too. The finish on the blade is super cool and the handle is clean, smooth and comfortable.
It will stay in my kitchen for life!
A knife built for everyday use but executed to the highest standard. I haven't seen anything this well done, let alone at this price!
Use it mostly for push cutting fruits and vegetables but it does have a little curve to the belly if you want to rock for mincing garlic or something. Nimble tip is great for precise cuts in tight spots.
Good balance; light but enough weight to keep it where you want it. AS steel takes a nice edge - not too hard to maintain. Came pretty sharp out of the box too. The finish on the blade is super cool and the handle is clean, smooth and comfortable.
It will stay in my kitchen for life!
hiroshi kato bunkaPosted By: wanda eisenman
I bought this knife mainly because I wanted a bunka made by the senior Kato San. This bunka is terrific!
Good sharpness out of the box. Beautiful cladding. Great balance in my hand. I would've kept it as a piece in my collection, but now it's in my knife rack. Utility and beauty.
I bought this knife mainly because I wanted a bunka made by the senior Kato San. This bunka is terrific!
Good sharpness out of the box. Beautiful cladding. Great balance in my hand. I would've kept it as a piece in my collection, but now it's in my knife rack. Utility and beauty.
Highly recommendPosted By: David
1 people found this review helpful
Of my several bunkas, this is my favorite, even over more expensive knives. It offer the best of two worlds: the sharpness and edge retention of AS steel and an outstanding stainless wrap. The hand chiseled kanji on nashiji skin with distinctive hammon line will catch your coworkers' eyes.
This smith is a craftsman with attention to detail. The fit on the handle is excellent, good balance and height, curve choil with rounded edges. Easy to handle. I you are interested in a bunka, I strongly recommend this one. I like the line so well that I bought a couple of other knives.
1 people found this review helpful
Of my several bunkas, this is my favorite, even over more expensive knives. It offer the best of two worlds: the sharpness and edge retention of AS steel and an outstanding stainless wrap. The hand chiseled kanji on nashiji skin with distinctive hammon line will catch your coworkers' eyes.
This smith is a craftsman with attention to detail. The fit on the handle is excellent, good balance and height, curve choil with rounded edges. Easy to handle. I you are interested in a bunka, I strongly recommend this one. I like the line so well that I bought a couple of other knives.
Great knife. Great price. A work of Art!Posted By: Setb47 - verified customer
This is a beautiful knife, truly a work of art. Its very light and nimble and slices through product very well. Does fine work on veggies and proteins alike. The blade came out of box with an excellent edge. Definitely a purchase you wont regret.
This is a beautiful knife, truly a work of art. Its very light and nimble and slices through product very well. Does fine work on veggies and proteins alike. The blade came out of box with an excellent edge. Definitely a purchase you wont regret.
Awesome Nakiri replacement!Posted By: Bob Z - verified customer
2 people found this review helpful
Like Nakiri but miss the tip for onions etc? After going thru a few nakiri's and some asking around I got one of these beauties. Its just like the other reviews and what Steve G says, superb craftsmanship, great balance, super sharp ootb, fast shipping!. This one is a keeper!
2 people found this review helpful
Like Nakiri but miss the tip for onions etc? After going thru a few nakiri's and some asking around I got one of these beauties. Its just like the other reviews and what Steve G says, superb craftsmanship, great balance, super sharp ootb, fast shipping!. This one is a keeper!
Kanehiro AS Bunka 165mm Sharp, Sharp and SHARPPosted By: Don T. - verified customer
I don't know what to say, bought this after seeing a video of it in action. First of all, it looks sharp, as in visually appealing. It is well done, fit and finish. Second, it is sharp as in the edge OTB was screaming sharp. Third, after a very light honing with some balsa and compound, this thing is SHARP! I mean like crazy sharp. Love it! Plus, as always, almost instant gratification with the fast shipping and excellent service by CKTG.
I don't know what to say, bought this after seeing a video of it in action. First of all, it looks sharp, as in visually appealing. It is well done, fit and finish. Second, it is sharp as in the edge OTB was screaming sharp. Third, after a very light honing with some balsa and compound, this thing is SHARP! I mean like crazy sharp. Love it! Plus, as always, almost instant gratification with the fast shipping and excellent service by CKTG.
