CKTG Bunka Saya

A saya is the traditional Japanese wooden blade scabbard - used to protect the edge during storage and transport, and to keep the knife from damaging other items in a drawer or bag. This CKTG saya is made from poplar wood: lightweight, slightly soft so it does not dull the edge on contact, and naturally moisture-absorbing. Each saya comes with a tapered black pin to keep the blade seated securely.

Fit is the critical detail with sayas. The best way to ensure a good fit is to purchase the saya at the same time as the knife, so we can use your actual knife as the template. If you are buying a saya separately, email us first or note the exact knife in the Comments section of your cart and we will confirm compatibility before shipping.

Japanese blacksmiths often work by hand and do not produce knives to a standardized dimension - two bunkas from two different makers, or even from the same maker in different batches, can vary meaningfully in blade height, spine thickness, and profile. At CKTG, we adjust sayas by hand for each knife: filing the interior, repositioning the pin hole, doing whatever is needed to get a proper fit. We only sell sayas for knives we carry - we cannot reliably guarantee fit for knives purchased elsewhere. If no saya is shown on a knife page, we do not have one that fits; a felt blade guard is recommended instead.

This saya is sized for bunka knives in the CKTG lineup. The bunka profile, with its angled reverse tanto tip, requires a saya shaped to accommodate that forward sweep at the tip. This saya is cut for that geometry. Bunka blade heights vary more than most formats between makers, so buying with the knife is particularly important here.

Care Instructions: Do not store a wet or damp knife in a saya - poplar wood absorbs moisture, and a damp environment can promote rust on carbon steel blades and cause the wood to swell, affecting fit. Wipe the blade dry before inserting. Air the saya out periodically. If the fit becomes tight, allow both knife and saya to dry fully before use.

Material: Poplar Wood

Includes: Tapered Black Pin

Fit: Hand-adjusted at CKTG for each knife

Note: Purchase with knife for best fit. Email us to confirm compatibility if ordering separately.