Misuzu SKS93 Ko Bunka 105mm

From the tanto-style, sword-like tip to the engraving on the handle, this little knife from the Misuzu shop in Miki, Japan, was built to be picked up and used. At its price, there is no real reason not to have one in a kitchen drawer.

Bunka knives are versatile cutters, and this ko, or small, version shrinks the format down to a highly maneuverable 105mm. The pointed tip reaches into places other blades cannot, the flat profile gives push cutters strong board contact with less risk of accordion cuts, and the short length makes it a natural choice for in-hand work like chopping herbs and prepping garnishes. The SKS93 core is covered with a soft stainless cladding for easy maintenance, hardened to 60-61 HRC, and the traditional D-shaped ho wood handle keeps the overall look simple and functional.

What Customers Are Saying: Owners consistently call this a great little knife for the price, with one family reporting it has become a household favorite, though they wished it were available in a higher grade of steel. The handle comes up as a recurring point of feedback: more than one reviewer found it on the small side, and one swapped it for a spare handle from another knife purely for personal comfort, calling the fix easy and the result excellent. Out-of-the-box sharpness and overall value are the consistent throughline across the reviews.

Care Instructions: The exposed SKS93 core is reactive and will develop a patina with use, so wipe and dry the blade after each session rather than letting it sit. The stainless cladding takes care of itself. Avoid leaving acidic foods against the blade, hand wash only, and use a quality water stone when it is time to sharpen. Please note: these knives often come with small cosmetic scratches from the stamp engraving process. They are minor and do not affect performance.

• Brand: Misuzu
• Location: Miki, Japan
• Construction: San Mai
• Edge Steel: SKS93 Carbon Steel
• Cladding: Stainless
• Profile: Ko Bunka
• Weight: 1.6 oz (48 g)
• Blade Length: 102 mm
• Total Length: 212 mm
• Spine Thickness at Base: 2 mm
• Blade Height: 35 mm