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 finish that gives the blade a dark, understated look while the Damascus pattern remains quietly visible beneath.
With a blade length just over 190mm 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.
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 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 a great endorsement.
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.
We do not carry a saya that fits this knife - we recommend the felt blade guard instead.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-Shaped Pakka Wood
Ferrule: Black Pakka Wood
Weight: 5.8 oz (166 g)
Blade Length: 191 mm
Total Length: 333 mm
Spine Thickness at Heel: 2 mm
Blade Height: 46 mm
With a blade length just over 190mm 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.
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 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 a great endorsement.
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.
We do not carry a saya that fits this knife - we recommend the felt blade guard instead.
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.
