After half a century, Anryu san has passed the reins of his business to his trusted protege, Ikeda san. The Anryu Kurouchi Damascus Bunka knife, a testament to their craft, is meticulously forged using Shirogami #2 high carbon steel, enhanced by a multilayered iron cladding. The hardened steel, with a Rockwell hardness of 61-62 HRC, is particularly prized for its exceptional edge longevity and straightforward sharpening. Known as White #2, this steel is highly favored among blade aficionados. The exterior layer, referred to as the jigane, boasts a traditional kurouchi coating, imparting a distinctive rustic aesthetic. This coating gradually transitions into a beautifully layered, or suminagashi, blade road. While this knife is undeniably attractive, it is also reactive, necessitating careful cleaning and thorough drying both during and post-use to maintain its quality.
The bunka is a really versatile blade that is growing in popularity in the West with both professional and home chefs. The short length and tall blade combine to create a knife with very broad uses and appeal. They can be used to replace a short gyuto or santoku, especially when you favor push cutting and chopping techniques. Of course, the great-looking reverse tanto profile also offers a compelling aesthetic especially coupled to the finely crafted rosewood oval handle with black pakka wood ferrule.Workshop: Anryu Hamono
Blacksmith: Ikeda San
Location: Echizen
Construction: Hammer Forged, San Mai
Core Steel: White #2
Cladding: Damascus/Kurouchi
Edge: Even Grind (See Photo)
Handle: Rosewood Oval
Ferrule: Black Pakka Wood
Weight: 4.9 oz (140 g)
Edge Length: 174 mm
Total Length: 320 mm
Spine Thickness at Base: 3.8 mm
Blade Height: 47.6 mm
The bunka is a really versatile blade that is growing in popularity in the West with both professional and home chefs. The short length and tall blade combine to create a knife with very broad uses and appeal. They can be used to replace a short gyuto or santoku, especially when you favor push cutting and chopping techniques. Of course, the great-looking reverse tanto profile also offers a compelling aesthetic especially coupled to the finely crafted rosewood oval handle with black pakka wood ferrule.
Reviews
5 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval)
NOT worth it, September 16, 2024
Fantastic all purpose blade for any kitchen!Posted By: I.V.
3 people found this review helpful
The contrast between the black kurouchi finish and the steel grey color of the Damascus blade creates a truly beautiful design that immediately catches your eye.
The handle needed a bit of work. After the first wash before using it, it became rough in a few places. After polishing it with 3M 1500 the surface was restored. I added 2-3 coats of MCT oil and some beeswax. The color of the handle changed to a beautiful French roast coffee bean color. I like the result. In the end this is my knife :)
Its sharpness is amazing. Although the spine is 5mm thick at the handle on my knife, it is a thin-bladed knife! Twenty millimeters further on it is close to 2mm, and where the K-point starts it is about 1mm. The knife is very sharp right out of the box. It slices super easily, effortlessly through the vegetables I use. I would feel completely comfortable if I had to use this knife only.
Fantastic all purpose blade for any kitchen! That's all I can say.
3 people found this review helpful
The contrast between the black kurouchi finish and the steel grey color of the Damascus blade creates a truly beautiful design that immediately catches your eye.
The handle needed a bit of work. After the first wash before using it, it became rough in a few places. After polishing it with 3M 1500 the surface was restored. I added 2-3 coats of MCT oil and some beeswax. The color of the handle changed to a beautiful French roast coffee bean color. I like the result. In the end this is my knife :)
Its sharpness is amazing. Although the spine is 5mm thick at the handle on my knife, it is a thin-bladed knife! Twenty millimeters further on it is close to 2mm, and where the K-point starts it is about 1mm. The knife is very sharp right out of the box. It slices super easily, effortlessly through the vegetables I use. I would feel completely comfortable if I had to use this knife only.
Fantastic all purpose blade for any kitchen! That's all I can say.
Anryu Kirouchi Damascus Bunka 165 mm Great knife
