Kanehiro Uchi Hamono was founded in 1928 by Kintaro Kato in Takefu Village, one of the four legendary knife-making centers in Echizen, Japan. The workshop passed to Yoshimi Kato, who now runs it with a small crew and has built a reputation as one of the most respected blacksmiths working in that tradition today. The bunka format - compact, tall, with a reverse-tanto tip - has become one of the most popular shapes in modern kitchens, and Kato execution of it shows exactly why: tight, fast, and dexterous in use, with a pointed tip precise enough for detailed garnish work and a flat profile suited to push cutting.
The blade is built around an Aogami Super (AS) core hardened to 62 HRC, clad in soft stainless steel that protects most of the blade from reacting with acid or moisture - only the exposed edge will patina with use, which minimizes the maintenance burden compared to a fully exposed carbon blade. AS is prized for taking an acutely sharp edge and holding it through extended use, and the nashiji (pear skin) finish on the upper blade surface gives it a refined, rustic texture that catches light beautifully. Fit and finish are excellent throughout, and the hexagonal handle is comfortable and well balanced. As with all handmade knives, dimensions vary slightly from piece to piece.
What Customers Are Saying: One reviewer calls it a knife built for everyday use but executed to the highest standard, praising the balance, the acute AS edge, and a finish so striking it earns a permanent place in the kitchen. Another bought it specifically because they wanted a bunka from the senior Kato san himself, and found it terrific - sharp out of the box, beautifully clad, and well balanced enough to use rather than keep purely as a collectible.
Care Instructions: The AS core is a reactive carbon steel that will patina along the exposed edge with use. Wipe and dry the blade after each use. Avoid leaving acidic foods on the edge. Hand wash only. Apply camellia oil for long-term storage.
The blade is built around an Aogami Super (AS) core hardened to 62 HRC, clad in soft stainless steel that protects most of the blade from reacting with acid or moisture - only the exposed edge will patina with use, which minimizes the maintenance burden compared to a fully exposed carbon blade. AS is prized for taking an acutely sharp edge and holding it through extended use, and the nashiji (pear skin) finish on the upper blade surface gives it a refined, rustic texture that catches light beautifully. Fit and finish are excellent throughout, and the hexagonal handle is comfortable and well balanced. As with all handmade knives, dimensions vary slightly from piece to piece.
What Customers Are Saying: One reviewer calls it a knife built for everyday use but executed to the highest standard, praising the balance, the acute AS edge, and a finish so striking it earns a permanent place in the kitchen. Another bought it specifically because they wanted a bunka from the senior Kato san himself, and found it terrific - sharp out of the box, beautifully clad, and well balanced enough to use rather than keep purely as a collectible.
Care Instructions: The AS core is a reactive carbon steel that will patina along the exposed edge with use. Wipe and dry the blade after each use. Avoid leaving acidic foods on the edge. Hand wash only. Apply camellia oil for long-term storage.
- Blacksmith: Yoshimi Kato
- Brand: Kanehiro Uchi Hamono
- Location: Takefu Village, Echizen, Japan
- Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
- Edge Steel: Aogami Super (AS)
- Cladding: Stainless Steel
- Finish: Nashiji (Pear Skin)
- HRC: 62
- Edge Grind: Even
- Handle: Keyaki Octagonal
- Weight: 4.4 oz (125 g)
- Blade Length: 165mm
- Total Length: 305mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 3mm
- Blade Height: 47mm
core=1')>Yes No
Truly exceptional craftsmanshipPosted By: Alex - verified customer
6 people found this review helpful
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!
6 people found this review helpful
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
5 people found this review helpful
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.
5 people found this review helpful
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.
Was this rating helpful to you? Yes
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!
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
6 people found this review helpful
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!
6 people found this review helpful
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
5 people found this review helpful
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.
5 people found this review helpful
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
5 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.
5 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. Posted By: Tyler - verified customer
4 people found this review helpful
Super happy with this knife. My first carbon steel blade and I love it. More reasonably priced than other stainless clad carbon steel knives I looked at it and definitely worth it. Looks great and works great.
4 people found this review helpful
Super happy with this knife. My first carbon steel blade and I love it. More reasonably priced than other stainless clad carbon steel knives I looked at it and definitely worth it. Looks great and works great.
A work of Art!Posted By: Setb47 - verified customer
5 people found this review helpful
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.
5 people found this review helpful
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
7 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!
7 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
4 people found this review helpful
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.
4 people found this review helpful
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.
