The Fugen line of kitchen knives is made for us by Yoshimitsu, whose blacksmith shop is located in Nagasaki, Japan. These knives are designed and made for home and professional chefs who, while on a budget, have a need for a good level of performance and durability.
We specified White #1 steel as the core for several reasons. It is a very resilient steel that resists chipping. It is relatively easy to sharpen and it takes a really fine edge when put to the stones. It is a great choice when balancing performance and budget. The inner core of White #1 is covered, san-mai style, with a soft iron cladding. The covering features a kurouchi finish, which not only protects the blade but also enhances the classic look of the knife.
This bunka is a small size, measuring just under 170mm, and can be used for various processing and preparation tasks. It is sharpened with a 50/50 bevel. The blade height is a generous 46mm, which is quite tall in relation to the length. For those with small hands or a limited cutting area, this is a wonderful balance.
The knife comes with a simple, very nice, oak octagonal handle with a burnt urushi finish.Knife Brand: Fugen
Blacksmith: Yoshimitsu
Location: Nagasaki, Japan
Construction: Hammer Forged, San Mai
Cladding: Soft Iron
Finish: Kurouchi
Edge Steel: White #1
HRC: 61
Edge Grind: Even (see choil shot)
Handle: Octagonal Oak (video is outdated)
Weight: 4.4 oz (126 g)
Edge Length: 168 mm
Total Length: 310 mm
Spine Thickness at Heel: 3 mm
Blade Height: 46 mm
We specified White #1 steel as the core for several reasons. It is a very resilient steel that resists chipping. It is relatively easy to sharpen and it takes a really fine edge when put to the stones. It is a great choice when balancing performance and budget. The inner core of White #1 is covered, san-mai style, with a soft iron cladding. The covering features a kurouchi finish, which not only protects the blade but also enhances the classic look of the knife.
This bunka is a small size, measuring just under 170mm, and can be used for various processing and preparation tasks. It is sharpened with a 50/50 bevel. The blade height is a generous 46mm, which is quite tall in relation to the length. For those with small hands or a limited cutting area, this is a wonderful balance.
The knife comes with a simple, very nice, oak octagonal handle with a burnt urushi finish.
