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Makoto san has come up with a very nice knife line here with the Sakura Tsuchime. Let's break down what each word means since it's a mouthful. Makoto Kurosaki is his name. He chose the name for his brand as Makoto because his brother uses Kurosaki. Sakura means Cherry Tree which is revered for it's beauty in Japan. If you ever travel to Japan in the spring you'll be amazed at the massive amount of blossoming cherry trees everywhere. Makoto san use cherry wood handles on his knives which inspired the name. Tsuchime means "hammered" and refers to the hammered cladding on the blade. Bunka is the profile of the knife. Phew!
Makoto Kurosaki has used SG2 to make this excellent bunka knife. His choice is a good one from the standpoint of ease of maintenance and durability. SG2 steel has an ability to feel rather carbon-like when forged by a good blacksmith. It has a very hard feel but is able to hold an edge over the long haul. It also has a high wear resistance as compared to other knife steels. However, it is quite easy to sharpen, more so than any other stainless steel. The inner core is clad san-mai style with a soft stainless steel. It is given a very nice hairline finish.
Makoto is an expert sharpener and it is very apparent with this knife. The grind is exceptional, as is the overall thinness of this laser. It is thin but not wispy. The bunka itineration exhibits very easy controllability while truly falling through food with an ease that is quite remarkable.
That this finely made package should come in at this price is the true icing on the cake. We highly recommend these knives.Brand: Makoto
Blacksmith: Makoto Kurosaki
Location: Takefu, Japan
Construction: San Mai
Method: Hammer Forged
Quenching: Water Quenched
HRC: 62+-
Finish: Tsuchime (Hammered)
Edge Steel: SG2 Powdered Stainless Steel
Cladding: Stainless Steel
Handle: Cherry Octagonal (Sakura means Cherry Tree)
Ferrule: Maple
Weight: 4.4 oz/ 126g
Blade Length: 180 mm
Overall Length: 320 mm
Spine Thickness at Heel: 2.1 mm
Blade Height at Heel: 43.2 mm
Edge Grind: Even (See Choil Photo)
Photos by Gustavo Bermudez
Makoto Kurosaki has used SG2 to make this excellent bunka knife. His choice is a good one from the standpoint of ease of maintenance and durability. SG2 steel has an ability to feel rather carbon-like when forged by a good blacksmith. It has a very hard feel but is able to hold an edge over the long haul. It also has a high wear resistance as compared to other knife steels. However, it is quite easy to sharpen, more so than any other stainless steel. The inner core is clad san-mai style with a soft stainless steel. It is given a very nice hairline finish.
Makoto is an expert sharpener and it is very apparent with this knife. The grind is exceptional, as is the overall thinness of this laser. It is thin but not wispy. The bunka itineration exhibits very easy controllability while truly falling through food with an ease that is quite remarkable.
That this finely made package should come in at this price is the true icing on the cake. We highly recommend these knives.
Reviews
1 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) It's Really Good, March 15, 2023Posted By: Eddy
This particular knife always leaves me feeling conflicted.
Makoto Kurosaki is a very skilled smith and absolutely deserves his Dentōkugei-shi certification. This knife is very nice, definitely a good representative of Makoto's work.
That said, Makoto simply isn't at the level of his brother Yu. My Yu Kurosaki Senko bunka is the same size, uses the same steel, and has its own unique tsuchime pattern just like this knife. I like both of them, but my Senko is simply better than my Sakura bunka. More beautiful overall, better balance, etc.
It pains me to say that since this *is* a very nice knife. But it doesn't exist in a vacuum; for a similar price you can get a Yu Kurosaki instead. Get this one if you really like this particular tsuchime pattern, or if the $50 discount between this and a Senko makes the difference for you. Otherwise, you might be happier with his brother's work.
This particular knife always leaves me feeling conflicted.
Makoto Kurosaki is a very skilled smith and absolutely deserves his Dentōkugei-shi certification. This knife is very nice, definitely a good representative of Makoto's work.
That said, Makoto simply isn't at the level of his brother Yu. My Yu Kurosaki Senko bunka is the same size, uses the same steel, and has its own unique tsuchime pattern just like this knife. I like both of them, but my Senko is simply better than my Sakura bunka. More beautiful overall, better balance, etc.
It pains me to say that since this *is* a very nice knife. But it doesn't exist in a vacuum; for a similar price you can get a Yu Kurosaki instead. Get this one if you really like this particular tsuchime pattern, or if the $50 discount between this and a Senko makes the difference for you. Otherwise, you might be happier with his brother's work.
