The 190mm bunka is the largest knife in the Gen line from Shizu Hamono - a format that sits between a standard bunka and a small gyuto (Japan's all-purpose chef knife) in terms of reach and versatility. Sanjo City in Niigata Prefecture, where Shizu Hamono is based, has been a center of metalworking craft for centuries, and the Gen line is a clean expression of that tradition applied to a contemporary stainless steel construction: VG10 core, stainless Damascus cladding, and a kurouchi (black finish, as-forged surface) finish that gives the blade a dark, understated look while the Damascus pattern remains quietly visible beneath.
At 191mm with 46mm blade height and a 2mm spine, this is a confident knife - substantial enough to handle larger prep tasks, thin enough to stay fast and precise. The reverse tanto tip opens up detail work, the flat heel section gives good board contact on push cuts, and the belly provides enough curve for rocking motions when the task calls for them. VG10 at 60-61 HRC is solid and low maintenance - sharpen on quality water stones and maintain with a ceramic rod or strop. The D-shaped pakka wood handle and black pakka ferrule sit comfortably through extended sessions. One note: we do not carry a saya that fits this knife - a blade guard is the recommended storage option.
What Customers Are Saying: The one reviewer on this knife purchased it as a gift for a sous chef and liked it enough to immediately buy three more for an upcoming wine dinner. Weight, balance, and finish are all described as fantastic, and the packaging impressed enough to be specifically called out. That level of repeat purchase from a hospitality professional is the kind of endorsement that means something.
Care Instructions: VG10 is low maintenance stainless steel. Hand wash and dry after use - no dishwasher. Sharpen on quality water stones when the edge needs attention and maintain with a ceramic rod or strop between full sharpenings.
At 191mm with 46mm blade height and a 2mm spine, this is a confident knife - substantial enough to handle larger prep tasks, thin enough to stay fast and precise. The reverse tanto tip opens up detail work, the flat heel section gives good board contact on push cuts, and the belly provides enough curve for rocking motions when the task calls for them. VG10 at 60-61 HRC is solid and low maintenance - sharpen on quality water stones and maintain with a ceramic rod or strop. The D-shaped pakka wood handle and black pakka ferrule sit comfortably through extended sessions. One note: we do not carry a saya that fits this knife - a blade guard is the recommended storage option.
What Customers Are Saying: The one reviewer on this knife purchased it as a gift for a sous chef and liked it enough to immediately buy three more for an upcoming wine dinner. Weight, balance, and finish are all described as fantastic, and the packaging impressed enough to be specifically called out. That level of repeat purchase from a hospitality professional is the kind of endorsement that means something.
Care Instructions: VG10 is low maintenance stainless steel. Hand wash and dry after use - no dishwasher. Sharpen on quality water stones when the edge needs attention and maintain with a ceramic rod or strop between full sharpenings.
- Maker: Shizu Hamono
- Knife Line: Gen
- Location: Sanjo City, Japan
- Construction: San Mai, Roll Forged
- Edge Steel: VG10 Stainless
- Cladding: Stainless Damascus
- Finish: Kurouchi (Black Finish)
- HRC: 60-61
- Edge Grind: Even
- Handle: D-Shape Pakka Wood
- Ferrule: Black Pakka Wood
- Weight: 5.8 oz (166g)
- Blade Length: 191mm
- Total Length: 333mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 2mm
- Blade Height: 46mm
- Storage Note: No CKTG sayas fit this knife - blade guard recommended
Reviews
1 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Great knifePosted By: Shawn Creef
9 people found this review helpful
Bought this knife as a gift for one of my sous chefs, absolutely fantastic. Great weight, balance, and finish. Packaging is fantastic as well. Liked it so much I bought three more for gifts for an upcoming wine dinner.
9 people found this review helpful
Bought this knife as a gift for one of my sous chefs, absolutely fantastic. Great weight, balance, and finish. Packaging is fantastic as well. Liked it so much I bought three more for gifts for an upcoming wine dinner.
