For more than 350 years, this region of northern Japan has nurtured generations of blacksmiths who forged weapons and essential tools. Recognized as one of the noble swordsmiths serving the shogunate, Nigara Hamono has carried forward traditions rooted in ancient artistry. During the Showa era, master smith Nigara Kunitoshi became well known for his skill, and after sword production was prohibited by the US military following World War II, the workshop adapted to focus on fine cutlery. Today Nigara, led by blacksmith Yoshizawa-san, creates some of the most highly regarded kitchen knives in northern Japan.
This bunka is built from SG2 powdered stainless steel hardened to 62-63 HRC, capable of taking a genuinely fine, long-lasting edge. The stainless cladding carries a kurouchi finish - a darker variation on the standard tsuchime hammered texture, giving the blade a moodier, more rustic look. The wenge wood octagonal handle with buffalo horn ferrule completes the package.
Care Instructions: SG2 is a stainless steel but is hard and somewhat chip-prone at this hardness level. Use wood or rubber cutting boards only. Avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard materials. Hand wash and dry after use. Strop regularly between sharpenings and use quality water stones for a full sharpening.
This bunka is built from SG2 powdered stainless steel hardened to 62-63 HRC, capable of taking a genuinely fine, long-lasting edge. The stainless cladding carries a kurouchi finish - a darker variation on the standard tsuchime hammered texture, giving the blade a moodier, more rustic look. The wenge wood octagonal handle with buffalo horn ferrule completes the package.
Care Instructions: SG2 is a stainless steel but is hard and somewhat chip-prone at this hardness level. Use wood or rubber cutting boards only. Avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard materials. Hand wash and dry after use. Strop regularly between sharpenings and use quality water stones for a full sharpening.
- Brand: Nigara
- Blacksmith: Yoshizawa San
- Location: Aomori Prefecture, Japan
- Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
- Edge Steel: SG2 Stainless Steel
- HRC: 62-63
- Cladding: Stainless Tsuchime
- Finish: Kurouchi
- Edge Grind: Even
- Handle: Wenge Octagonal
- Ferrule: Buffalo Horn
- Weight: 5.3 oz (150 g)
- Blade Length: 169 mm
- Total Length: 313 mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 2 mm
- Blade Height: 48 mm
