The Fujiwara family runs the Okeya blacksmith shop in Miki, Japan, a small operation that began making kogatana blades, small multi-purpose knives for woodworking and detail cutting, before expanding into kitchen knives. Mark discovered the line at a steel mill that supplies clad steel to several industries, learned there were no accounts outside Japan, and brought them on as their first U.S. distributor. For price to performance, this line is hard to beat.
The bunka profile gives this knife a shorter length than most chef knives and a distinctive angled tip that handles detail work and garnish cuts as naturally as it powers through a pile of vegetables. The core is Blue #2, an Aogami carbon steel developed by Hitachi and prized for taking a very sharp edge and holding it well, clad in stainless steel with a nashiji texture for food release and good looks. The oak octagonal handle is a simple but comfortable fit, and the 50/50 grind suits right and left handed cooks equally.
What Customers Are Saying: Nine reviewers give this knife five stars, and the recurring theme is surprise at how good it is for the price. One professional cook calls it the peak of the cost-value curve in their entire kit and reaches for it exclusively during service, having used it as a daily workhorse for over two years. Another owner with large hands says the weight feels exactly right, loves the nashiji-like finish, and swapped the handle for a custom burl wood piece purely for cosmetic reasons. The shorter length and light frame come up consistently as advantages for working in tight spaces and staying comfortable through long sessions. If you have ever wanted to try a bunka but did not want to commit serious money to the experiment, multiple reviewers specifically call this the right knife for that.
Care Instructions: Blue #2 is a reactive carbon steel, so wipe and dry the blade immediately after use rather than letting it sit. Avoid leaving acidic foods against the blade for any length of time, and apply a light coat of camellia oil for longer term storage. Hand wash only.
The bunka profile gives this knife a shorter length than most chef knives and a distinctive angled tip that handles detail work and garnish cuts as naturally as it powers through a pile of vegetables. The core is Blue #2, an Aogami carbon steel developed by Hitachi and prized for taking a very sharp edge and holding it well, clad in stainless steel with a nashiji texture for food release and good looks. The oak octagonal handle is a simple but comfortable fit, and the 50/50 grind suits right and left handed cooks equally.
What Customers Are Saying: Nine reviewers give this knife five stars, and the recurring theme is surprise at how good it is for the price. One professional cook calls it the peak of the cost-value curve in their entire kit and reaches for it exclusively during service, having used it as a daily workhorse for over two years. Another owner with large hands says the weight feels exactly right, loves the nashiji-like finish, and swapped the handle for a custom burl wood piece purely for cosmetic reasons. The shorter length and light frame come up consistently as advantages for working in tight spaces and staying comfortable through long sessions. If you have ever wanted to try a bunka but did not want to commit serious money to the experiment, multiple reviewers specifically call this the right knife for that.
Care Instructions: Blue #2 is a reactive carbon steel, so wipe and dry the blade immediately after use rather than letting it sit. Avoid leaving acidic foods against the blade for any length of time, and apply a light coat of camellia oil for longer term storage. Hand wash only.
- Blacksmith: Aki Fujiwara
- Brand: Okeya
- Location: Miki City, Japan
- Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
- Edge Steel: Blue #2 (Aogami #2) Carbon Steel
- Cladding: Stainless, Nashiji Finish
- Edge Grind: 50/50
- Handle: Oak Octagonal
- Weight: 4.5 oz (130 g)
- Blade Length: 166 mm
- Total Length: 309 mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 2 mm
- Blade Height: 45 mm
Reviews
9 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Love ItPosted By: Michael Wilson
34 people found this review helpful
I was browsing the CKTG website just looking at the inventory and new items, and wasn’t really looking for another knife when I came across this. After reading the reviews,and seeing the video I decided to purchase one. Man what a great decision. This knife is excellent. The weight in my large hands feels perfect. The fit and finish looks great. I absolutely love the finish. Like Nashiji but a different design. It cuts wonderfully through Vegetables and Proteins. The handle is okay, but I replaced it with a custom made burl wood handle I’ve had. Just cosmetic. The Okeya line of knives are a pleasant surprise for me. I’m extremely pleased with this knife. Another great addition to my kitchen cutlery.Thx to CKTG for the fast shipping as usual.
34 people found this review helpful
I was browsing the CKTG website just looking at the inventory and new items, and wasn’t really looking for another knife when I came across this. After reading the reviews,and seeing the video I decided to purchase one. Man what a great decision. This knife is excellent. The weight in my large hands feels perfect. The fit and finish looks great. I absolutely love the finish. Like Nashiji but a different design. It cuts wonderfully through Vegetables and Proteins. The handle is okay, but I replaced it with a custom made burl wood handle I’ve had. Just cosmetic. The Okeya line of knives are a pleasant surprise for me. I’m extremely pleased with this knife. Another great addition to my kitchen cutlery.Thx to CKTG for the fast shipping as usual.
It just worksPosted By: Jack
26 people found this review helpful
I don’t think a better knife exists for a better price. The stock handle isn’t my favorite but that’s my only half-hearted gripe, it’s not like there’s anything wrong with it. I put a new handle on and this knife has been my workhorse for the last 2+ years. The curvature of the blade is eminently comfortable for both rocking and chopping. The reduced length compared to most chef knives lends itself to nimbleness in tight spaces and a light frame which can be used for hours without tiring. The knife is easy to maintain especially once a new edge patinas. I keep a gyuto and a petty around too, mostly just to put wear on a few different blades throughout the week, but in the middle of service this is the only knife on hand, it’s the only knife I need. Buy it for yourself or for your friends. Fancier knives are fun and all, but the okeya blue 2 bunka is, in my opinion, where the cost value curve peaks.
26 people found this review helpful
I don’t think a better knife exists for a better price. The stock handle isn’t my favorite but that’s my only half-hearted gripe, it’s not like there’s anything wrong with it. I put a new handle on and this knife has been my workhorse for the last 2+ years. The curvature of the blade is eminently comfortable for both rocking and chopping. The reduced length compared to most chef knives lends itself to nimbleness in tight spaces and a light frame which can be used for hours without tiring. The knife is easy to maintain especially once a new edge patinas. I keep a gyuto and a petty around too, mostly just to put wear on a few different blades throughout the week, but in the middle of service this is the only knife on hand, it’s the only knife I need. Buy it for yourself or for your friends. Fancier knives are fun and all, but the okeya blue 2 bunka is, in my opinion, where the cost value curve peaks.
Excellent knife Posted By: Henry Perez
37 people found this review helpful
The knife is made in Japan, looks awesome, solid but light, very sharp, very easy to handle, and reasonably priced. Delivery was fast and packaged very nicely. The box is so pleasant to look at. Customer service is also fantastic. I am glad I found this site.
37 people found this review helpful
The knife is made in Japan, looks awesome, solid but light, very sharp, very easy to handle, and reasonably priced. Delivery was fast and packaged very nicely. The box is so pleasant to look at. Customer service is also fantastic. I am glad I found this site.
Okeya Blue knifePosted By: James Crawford
44 people found this review helpful
I purchased this knife with some trepidation. I've been using it now for about 4 years.
It is by far the best knife I have ever used. I have yet to even sharpen it. I take excellent care of it. I love how easily it slides through the toughest meat, onions. It gives me total control over the thickness of a cut and the confidence to make very thin slices.
44 people found this review helpful
I purchased this knife with some trepidation. I've been using it now for about 4 years.
It is by far the best knife I have ever used. I have yet to even sharpen it. I take excellent care of it. I love how easily it slides through the toughest meat, onions. It gives me total control over the thickness of a cut and the confidence to make very thin slices.
Perfect price for a workhorsePosted By: Alejandro - verified customer
24 people found this review helpful
The perfect line knife for saving your precious dailies from the slaughter, gets sharp as hell and the blue2 keeps the edge going through any abuse. Have used on lots of tight fast lines and it never disappoints, keeping cool and collected inside that trusty stainless casing. Handle feels really comfortable over multiple grip positions in the hand as was described by others and overall really sturdy feeling blade, never feeling too thick though it's the perfect dimensions with a great feeling rocking profile, have lots of other bunkas I wish could be more shaped like this one.My favourite part is the curve and heft of it makes for the perfect avocado opening knife, always feeling confident when going for those pits that the blade won't chip and if I were to slip the curve of the belly and upwards pointed tip means I won't cause much damage to my mitt.
24 people found this review helpful
The perfect line knife for saving your precious dailies from the slaughter, gets sharp as hell and the blue2 keeps the edge going through any abuse. Have used on lots of tight fast lines and it never disappoints, keeping cool and collected inside that trusty stainless casing. Handle feels really comfortable over multiple grip positions in the hand as was described by others and overall really sturdy feeling blade, never feeling too thick though it's the perfect dimensions with a great feeling rocking profile, have lots of other bunkas I wish could be more shaped like this one.My favourite part is the curve and heft of it makes for the perfect avocado opening knife, always feeling confident when going for those pits that the blade won't chip and if I were to slip the curve of the belly and upwards pointed tip means I won't cause much damage to my mitt.
Obsessed with this knife! hidden gem!Posted By: Gabriel - verified customer
21 people found this review helpful
Love this knife! I purchased it as a gift, but after putting it through it's paces (as one does ;) ) I think I'll be getting myself one soon! The fit and finish are that of a knife at a much higher price point, and the performance is fantastic. This is becoming one of my most recommended bang-for-your-buck knives, but it would be impressive at most price points.
21 people found this review helpful
Love this knife! I purchased it as a gift, but after putting it through it's paces (as one does ;) ) I think I'll be getting myself one soon! The fit and finish are that of a knife at a much higher price point, and the performance is fantastic. This is becoming one of my most recommended bang-for-your-buck knives, but it would be impressive at most price points.
Still going strong...Posted By: Joshua Ramos
26 people found this review helpful
I bought this knife a little over a year ago and it has become the workhorse of my knife kit. Working in the industry, my knife kit is very important for me and not at all a cheap thing to build up. This has surpassed not only half my knife kit but other chefs who have used this knife say they like it better than their own knife. It's smaller profile let's you really get precision work out of a small workspace, and the feel of the grip is great if you tend to pinch grip near the top of the handle. I highly recommend this knife as a first purchase for someone just getting into the industry or for pros who might be looking for something a little less cumbersome.
26 people found this review helpful
I bought this knife a little over a year ago and it has become the workhorse of my knife kit. Working in the industry, my knife kit is very important for me and not at all a cheap thing to build up. This has surpassed not only half my knife kit but other chefs who have used this knife say they like it better than their own knife. It's smaller profile let's you really get precision work out of a small workspace, and the feel of the grip is great if you tend to pinch grip near the top of the handle. I highly recommend this knife as a first purchase for someone just getting into the industry or for pros who might be looking for something a little less cumbersome.
Great Knife, Super ServicePosted By: Edward Powell - verified customer
22 people found this review helpful
All things good to say about this knife. I got the sharpening service, so no surprise that it was very sharp out of the box. While not the most expensive knife in the drawer, it performs as well as any; and I like the look, feel and balance of it. It's the workhorse I'd hoped for, and then some. It sees daily use, and it looks like it's going to be a while before it needs sharpening. That keeps my other knives in the drawer for now. I also got the saya for it and appreciate its quality and its protective function (both for the blade and for fingers). All in all for me, a knife aficionado whose far from being a knife guru, this Okeya Blue
22 people found this review helpful
All things good to say about this knife. I got the sharpening service, so no surprise that it was very sharp out of the box. While not the most expensive knife in the drawer, it performs as well as any; and I like the look, feel and balance of it. It's the workhorse I'd hoped for, and then some. It sees daily use, and it looks like it's going to be a while before it needs sharpening. That keeps my other knives in the drawer for now. I also got the saya for it and appreciate its quality and its protective function (both for the blade and for fingers). All in all for me, a knife aficionado whose far from being a knife guru, this Okeya Blue
