This bunka is handmade and hammer forged by Tabata Hamono, a small blacksmith shop on Tanegashima Island, south of Kagoshima Prefecture in Kyushu - the island where Portuguese traders introduced firearms to Japan in 1543. CKTG is proud to be the first and only US dealer for this maker.
The Blue #2 carbon steel core is wrapped in a stainless cladding for easier maintenance, finished with a nice kasumi polish that gives the blade a clean, traditional look. The bunka format combines compact length with a tall blade and a reverse tanto tip, suited to push cutting and detail work alike. The oak octagonal handle, finished in urushi lacquer with a black painted ferrule, is comfortable and well balanced.
What Customers Are Saying: One reviewer who had been searching for another Blue #2 blacksmith after other brands became hard to find calls this knife flawless - lovely fit and finish, an excellent grind, sharp out of the box, and well balanced overall, adding that she is happy to see new smiths represented at CKTG. A second reviewer calls it a serious workhorse - good weight, perfectly balanced at the pinch grip, and stiff through the spine without feeling like a laser. He praises the oak handle and the unexpected sparkle in the black pakka wood ferrule, and notes he conditioned the handle slightly on arrival and plans to thin the factory edge down to his preferred thinness, though the out-of-box edge performed well as shipped.
Care Instructions: Blue #2 is a reactive carbon steel at the edge. Wash and dry the knife promptly after use and avoid prolonged contact with acidic foods. Do not cut frozen foods, bones, or hard materials. Apply a light coat of camellia oil for long-term storage. Each knife is made by hand so measurements will vary.
The Blue #2 carbon steel core is wrapped in a stainless cladding for easier maintenance, finished with a nice kasumi polish that gives the blade a clean, traditional look. The bunka format combines compact length with a tall blade and a reverse tanto tip, suited to push cutting and detail work alike. The oak octagonal handle, finished in urushi lacquer with a black painted ferrule, is comfortable and well balanced.
What Customers Are Saying: One reviewer who had been searching for another Blue #2 blacksmith after other brands became hard to find calls this knife flawless - lovely fit and finish, an excellent grind, sharp out of the box, and well balanced overall, adding that she is happy to see new smiths represented at CKTG. A second reviewer calls it a serious workhorse - good weight, perfectly balanced at the pinch grip, and stiff through the spine without feeling like a laser. He praises the oak handle and the unexpected sparkle in the black pakka wood ferrule, and notes he conditioned the handle slightly on arrival and plans to thin the factory edge down to his preferred thinness, though the out-of-box edge performed well as shipped.
Care Instructions: Blue #2 is a reactive carbon steel at the edge. Wash and dry the knife promptly after use and avoid prolonged contact with acidic foods. Do not cut frozen foods, bones, or hard materials. Apply a light coat of camellia oil for long-term storage. Each knife is made by hand so measurements will vary.
- Blacksmith: Tabata Hamono
- Brand Name: Tanegashima
- Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
- Location: Tanegashima, Japan
- Edge Steel: Blue #2 (Aogami #2)
- Cladding: Stainless Clad
- Bevel: Double Bevel
- Edge Grind: Even
- Finish: Kasumi
- Handle: Oak Urushi Octagonal with Black Painted Ferrule
- Weight: 5.8 oz (166 g)
- Blade Length: 173 mm
- Total Length: 313 mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 4 mm
- Blade Height: 47 mm
Reviews
3 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Excellent knife, May 8, 2026Posted By: Colleen Fogarty
Been looking for another Blue 2 blacksmith since other brands have been hard to find in stock. This knife has no flaws. Lovely fit and finish and the grind is very well done. Sharpness is excellent and the weight of the blade is well balanced. Happy to see new smiths represented by CKTG.
Been looking for another Blue 2 blacksmith since other brands have been hard to find in stock. This knife has no flaws. Lovely fit and finish and the grind is very well done. Sharpness is excellent and the weight of the blade is well balanced. Happy to see new smiths represented by CKTG.
One serious workhorse Posted By: Jordan Ross
58 people found this review helpful
Been curious about Tabata knives since CKTG started carrying them. First impression, this is hands down a work horse. Good amount of weight to the knife but perfectly balanced with the handle. You don’t feel the weight but nimbleness of it. It balances right where my pinch grip is. The blade is stiff with a stiff spine. By no means is this a laser but it does go through product with ease.
The oak handle is gorgeous, I truly love the look and feel of oak. The black pakka wood ferrule is interesting as it looks like it has some glitter running through it. I’m definitely not complaining about that, it’s kind of charming. I did condition the wood on the handle when unboxing, it needed just a little bit.
Personally, I like my edge really thin, so I will end up thinning it down a bit. It comes with a decent secondary bevel and I prefer more of a micro bevel. That being said, the out of the box edge was superb. Shaving sharp, and sharp enough to glide through a paper towel. I think the perceived sharpness will be more noticeable when thinned. As well, food release is not bad, much better than I expected with such a workhorse thick blade.
There is some minor gapping where the handle is set so I sealed it a little tighter with some epoxy and activated charcoal. As well, the handle is set flush on the choil side going into the tang, but as you can see in the photos, there’s about 3-4mm of extra lift towards the spine. This has no impact on how it feels, if anything you get a little more board clearance.
There is some rounding on the choil. I’m going to round it a little more and polish it. The spine needs a bit of rounding and polishing so that’ll be in the works as well.
All in all, a comfy and sturdy work horse.
58 people found this review helpful
Been curious about Tabata knives since CKTG started carrying them. First impression, this is hands down a work horse. Good amount of weight to the knife but perfectly balanced with the handle. You don’t feel the weight but nimbleness of it. It balances right where my pinch grip is. The blade is stiff with a stiff spine. By no means is this a laser but it does go through product with ease.
The oak handle is gorgeous, I truly love the look and feel of oak. The black pakka wood ferrule is interesting as it looks like it has some glitter running through it. I’m definitely not complaining about that, it’s kind of charming. I did condition the wood on the handle when unboxing, it needed just a little bit.
Personally, I like my edge really thin, so I will end up thinning it down a bit. It comes with a decent secondary bevel and I prefer more of a micro bevel. That being said, the out of the box edge was superb. Shaving sharp, and sharp enough to glide through a paper towel. I think the perceived sharpness will be more noticeable when thinned. As well, food release is not bad, much better than I expected with such a workhorse thick blade.
There is some minor gapping where the handle is set so I sealed it a little tighter with some epoxy and activated charcoal. As well, the handle is set flush on the choil side going into the tang, but as you can see in the photos, there’s about 3-4mm of extra lift towards the spine. This has no impact on how it feels, if anything you get a little more board clearance.
There is some rounding on the choil. I’m going to round it a little more and polish it. The spine needs a bit of rounding and polishing so that’ll be in the works as well.
All in all, a comfy and sturdy work horse.
