Yoshimi SG2 Bunka 165mm

The bunka has been gaining popularity rapidly for good reason. The combination of compact length, tall blade height, and the striking reverse tanto tip produces a knife that is visually unlike anything else in the kitchen while performing with the versatility of a short gyuto. The edge profile runs fairly flat, favoring push cutting and chopping; the tall height matches a santoku; and the reverse tanto tip opens up intricate detail work and precision cutting that a rounded-tip knife simply cannot match.

Yoshimi Kato makes knives for several respected brands, including Masakage and Kanehiro, but this SG2 line was the first to carry his own name. He is the son-in-law of the renowned Hiroshi Kato and runs the family workshop at Takefu Knife Village in Echizen. The SG2 powdered metallurgical stainless core is hardened to 61-62 HRC for exceptional edge retention and easy sharpening, then clad in multi-layer Damascus stainless steel. The Damascus on these knives is some of the most visually striking we carry at CKTG, and the rosewood octagonal handle with pakka ferrule is a well-chosen complement to it.

What Customers Are Saying: This bunka has accumulated a devoted following at CKTG. Multiple reviewers call it breathtakingly beautiful and a genuine work of art - one first-time bunka buyer says it is the most stunning knife in her collection and she would not hesitate to buy more from the same line. Reviewers consistently praise the light weight, the superb balance, and the thin grind that makes it an absolute laser. One owner who also carries Makoto and Kurosaki notes the thin profile means it is a knife worth protecting - not quite the workhorse he would reach for first in line service, but incredible for the cooking it suits. Another notes that the Damascus initially grips food slightly, but that the beautiful finish is well worth it and the friction diminishes with use.

Care Instructions: SG2 is a stainless steel but is hard and chip-prone at 61-62 HRC. Use wood or rubber cutting boards only. Avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard materials. Hand wash and dry after each use. Strop regularly between sharpenings. Free shipping over $100.

• Brand: Yoshimi SG-2
• Blacksmith: Yoshimi Kato
• Location: Echizen, Japan
• Workshop: Takefu Knife Village
• Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
• Core Edge Steel: SG-2 Powdered Stainless
• Cladding: Damascus Stainless
• HRC: 61-62
• Engraving: Hand Engraved
• Edge Grind: Even
• Handle: Rosewood Octagonal
• Ferrule: Pakka Wood
• Weight: 4.5 oz (128 g)
• Blade Length: 172mm
• Total Length: 314mm
• Spine Thickness at Base: 2mm
• Blade Height: 47mm