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Kohetsu is our in-house brand of Japanese kitchen knives. We have eight different lines under this brand comprised of various steel and construction techniques. The SLD line is made up of the usual shapes and sizes with an eye towards ease of maintenance, quality of materials and low impact on your pocket book!
The Kohetsu SLD Bunka is a fun and functional kitchen knife boasting great performance, a lovely aesthetic, and fine fit and finish. We start with a core of SLD tool steel which is hardened to 61-62 Rockwell. The hagane (inner core) is then covered with a layer of a soft fully stainless steel cladding. This enhances both the strength of the core and ease of maintenance. The inner core of SLD is a semi stainless steel and is regarded as a great alloy for both taking and holding a very keen edge.
The outer core, or jigane, is given a really unique lattice work hammer finish before it receives a final high shine polish. The result is a knife of great visual appeal.
Bunka knives are gaining in popularity in the west due to their compact dimensions and versatility. The relatively tall blade makes for good hand to board clearance. The flat profile is perfect for vegetable prep, especially for push cutters.The pointed tanto style tip is great for detail work and getting into tight places. It looks cool too!
Brand: Kohetsu
Region: Sanjo, Japan
Steel: SLD Stainless
HRC: 60-61
Type: Bunka
Edge Length: 172mm
Handle: Octagonal
Spine Thickness at Base: 4.2mm
Blade Height: 44.3mm
Photos by Gustavo Bermudez
The Kohetsu SLD Bunka is a fun and functional kitchen knife boasting great performance, a lovely aesthetic, and fine fit and finish. We start with a core of SLD tool steel which is hardened to 61-62 Rockwell. The hagane (inner core) is then covered with a layer of a soft fully stainless steel cladding. This enhances both the strength of the core and ease of maintenance. The inner core of SLD is a semi stainless steel and is regarded as a great alloy for both taking and holding a very keen edge.
The outer core, or jigane, is given a really unique lattice work hammer finish before it receives a final high shine polish. The result is a knife of great visual appeal.
Bunka knives are gaining in popularity in the west due to their compact dimensions and versatility. The relatively tall blade makes for good hand to board clearance. The flat profile is perfect for vegetable prep, especially for push cutters.The pointed tanto style tip is great for detail work and getting into tight places. It looks cool too!
Reviews
10 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Excellent knifePosted By: Amanda
Bought this knife in 2020 as a gift to myself when my restaurant closed and I was stuck at home in quarantine for months. I prefer smaller blades so the length for me is perfect. Transitioned it from a home knife to a work knife (as a sous chef at a high end NYC restaurant) and never want to use anything else. Retains an edge forever - ex: I told my coworker I needed to sharpen my knife over my weekend, brought it home, didn’t do it, brought it back to work still wrapped in the same towel and plastic, coworker used it and said, “Oh shit! You sharpened it!” To which I replied I absolutely didn’t and he said, “daaamn this is what it’s like dull?!” Absolutely love this knife. Length, weight, and balance are perfect for me, low maintenance, looks sexy. Great for normal use and more precise knife cuts. Love it for supremes. About to get the gyuto to compare. Occasionally gets light rust if not dried properly before putting away, but that’s to be expected and is easy to clean. Highly recommend.
Bought this knife in 2020 as a gift to myself when my restaurant closed and I was stuck at home in quarantine for months. I prefer smaller blades so the length for me is perfect. Transitioned it from a home knife to a work knife (as a sous chef at a high end NYC restaurant) and never want to use anything else. Retains an edge forever - ex: I told my coworker I needed to sharpen my knife over my weekend, brought it home, didn’t do it, brought it back to work still wrapped in the same towel and plastic, coworker used it and said, “Oh shit! You sharpened it!” To which I replied I absolutely didn’t and he said, “daaamn this is what it’s like dull?!” Absolutely love this knife. Length, weight, and balance are perfect for me, low maintenance, looks sexy. Great for normal use and more precise knife cuts. Love it for supremes. About to get the gyuto to compare. Occasionally gets light rust if not dried properly before putting away, but that’s to be expected and is easy to clean. Highly recommend.
Kohetsu SLD Bunka A knife I now regularly reach forPosted By: AQ - verified customer
1 people found this review helpful
This bunka is nice and thin behind the edge, and I have no complaints about fit and finish. Amazing in-hand feel due to the weight and balance, but not at all heavy when in use. Mine has a much less pronounced hammering pattern, so food release on mine isn't remarkable, but the overall performance goes well above what I expected for the price point! Also, mine has a much flatter profile than the one in the product video, which I personally like. Like others have said, it feels confident on the board, and the tip gets extremely thin so it has a wonderful balance between workhorse and precision tool which makes it a great all-rounder and a perfect companion for any gyuto.
1 people found this review helpful
This bunka is nice and thin behind the edge, and I have no complaints about fit and finish. Amazing in-hand feel due to the weight and balance, but not at all heavy when in use. Mine has a much less pronounced hammering pattern, so food release on mine isn't remarkable, but the overall performance goes well above what I expected for the price point! Also, mine has a much flatter profile than the one in the product video, which I personally like. Like others have said, it feels confident on the board, and the tip gets extremely thin so it has a wonderful balance between workhorse and precision tool which makes it a great all-rounder and a perfect companion for any gyuto.
Perfect for Prep...Posted By: Wim - verified customer
3 people found this review helpful
Great little knife for prepping nearly everything. Light, nimble, feels like an extension of my hand. Holds a razor sharp edge with just regular stropping. Doesn't have quite the food release of a Glestain, but darn close. Put a tiny amount of filler around neck where it enters collar, but otherwise perfect out of the box. Would recommend without hesitation.
3 people found this review helpful
Great little knife for prepping nearly everything. Light, nimble, feels like an extension of my hand. Holds a razor sharp edge with just regular stropping. Doesn't have quite the food release of a Glestain, but darn close. Put a tiny amount of filler around neck where it enters collar, but otherwise perfect out of the box. Would recommend without hesitation.
If I could only have one knife this would be the one!Posted By: Stewart Emery - verified customer
I am delighted with this knife - it is lovely to look at, light and maneuverable and the blade geometry is just right. The pointed tip is especially useful. Takes and holds a very sharp edge. Terrific company to do business with. Wish I'd discover CNTG sooner than I did.
I am delighted with this knife - it is lovely to look at, light and maneuverable and the blade geometry is just right. The pointed tip is especially useful. Takes and holds a very sharp edge. Terrific company to do business with. Wish I'd discover CNTG sooner than I did.
Functional ArtistryPosted By: Noah Harrison - verified customer
2 people found this review helpful
Let's cut to the good stuff. This knife takes an insane edge, I've sharpened mine down to a zero degree edge and holy crap, it gets wicked! The edge retention is really impressive, the food release could be better for a Stainless Steel knife but it's nothing worth giving this knife a bad review over. The handle fit is wonderful and almost everyone in my kitchen adores this little knife. My bunka doesn't have a step between ferrule and handle so even that is a joy in the hand. As for height, well no complaints there either even from my coworkers with big hands. I will say this knife certainly prefers push cutting over drawing, but it does still rock without complaints. I highly recommend this knife as a line knife or a go to knife for heavy prep days. Seriously, just do yourself a favor and buy one, if you like a knife with a little bit of weight and versatility to the enth then this is the knife for you. Thank you again for another outstanding purchase CKTG!!!
2 people found this review helpful
Let's cut to the good stuff. This knife takes an insane edge, I've sharpened mine down to a zero degree edge and holy crap, it gets wicked! The edge retention is really impressive, the food release could be better for a Stainless Steel knife but it's nothing worth giving this knife a bad review over. The handle fit is wonderful and almost everyone in my kitchen adores this little knife. My bunka doesn't have a step between ferrule and handle so even that is a joy in the hand. As for height, well no complaints there either even from my coworkers with big hands. I will say this knife certainly prefers push cutting over drawing, but it does still rock without complaints. I highly recommend this knife as a line knife or a go to knife for heavy prep days. Seriously, just do yourself a favor and buy one, if you like a knife with a little bit of weight and versatility to the enth then this is the knife for you. Thank you again for another outstanding purchase CKTG!!!
My Top Pick for a Workhorse BunkaPosted By: Steve Recommends - verified customer
1 people found this review helpful
This workhorse Bunka has superb food release characteristics. The trade-off is a bit of wedging on some harder products, but I LOVE the confident feel of this Bunka and watching veggies just fall away from the blade is awesome. The core steel sharpens up easily and it holds a nice edge. If youre a pure chopper, the edge profile might be a bit too curvaceous, but the SLD works well for other techniques by using the profile to your advantage. This knife also gets top marks for value and fit & finish, with nice grinds and a cool aesthetic.
1 people found this review helpful
This workhorse Bunka has superb food release characteristics. The trade-off is a bit of wedging on some harder products, but I LOVE the confident feel of this Bunka and watching veggies just fall away from the blade is awesome. The core steel sharpens up easily and it holds a nice edge. If youre a pure chopper, the edge profile might be a bit too curvaceous, but the SLD works well for other techniques by using the profile to your advantage. This knife also gets top marks for value and fit & finish, with nice grinds and a cool aesthetic.
Make this your go-to knifePosted By: David - verified customer
If there is to be but one knife in your kitchen...this should be it.Fir and finish? ExcellentSharpness? Oh, yeahWeight and balance? Like an extension of your fingersOverall esthetics? Crazy good lookingI have a Nakiri, a Gyuoto and a Deba and they weren't cheap. The Kohetsu SLP Bunka 170mm is the most versatile of them all...sort of like combining their best features.
If there is to be but one knife in your kitchen...this should be it.Fir and finish? ExcellentSharpness? Oh, yeahWeight and balance? Like an extension of your fingersOverall esthetics? Crazy good lookingI have a Nakiri, a Gyuoto and a Deba and they weren't cheap. The Kohetsu SLP Bunka 170mm is the most versatile of them all...sort of like combining their best features.
Totally satisfied...Posted By: Amritraj Matthew - verified customer
1 people found this review helpful
totally worth the money, I could slice a sheet of paper straight vertically. Please use only for veg and fruits, I say that because I did a mistake of cutting a seared rack of lamb, sliced though a lil bone which chipped the blade a tiny bit. After freaking out a little bit and a some strokes on a stone the blade looked like nothing ever happened. A must buy for chefs. If you're bored of usual mac gyotos and shun santokus, go for this Bunka.
1 people found this review helpful
totally worth the money, I could slice a sheet of paper straight vertically. Please use only for veg and fruits, I say that because I did a mistake of cutting a seared rack of lamb, sliced though a lil bone which chipped the blade a tiny bit. After freaking out a little bit and a some strokes on a stone the blade looked like nothing ever happened. A must buy for chefs. If you're bored of usual mac gyotos and shun santokus, go for this Bunka.
Awesome Line Knife Posted By: Alec R - verified customer
1 people found this review helpful
Very stiff, confident feeling knife. It is very thick coming out of the ferrule but don't let that fool you... this knife is very thin behind the edge, a laser like performer, and super sharp OOTB. The large blade road is ground very thin so the knife performs very smooth and the lattice work on the blade face aids in food release. Glides through soft ingredients and no wedging through harder ingredients like carrots and cabbage. The SLD core and the softer outer core are very stain and corrosion resistant so it makes a great line knife. I've been using it for prep and line service for a month and only had to do some minor honing. The core steel is very hard and the weight is well balanced. This is a great knife in a professional environment.
1 people found this review helpful
Very stiff, confident feeling knife. It is very thick coming out of the ferrule but don't let that fool you... this knife is very thin behind the edge, a laser like performer, and super sharp OOTB. The large blade road is ground very thin so the knife performs very smooth and the lattice work on the blade face aids in food release. Glides through soft ingredients and no wedging through harder ingredients like carrots and cabbage. The SLD core and the softer outer core are very stain and corrosion resistant so it makes a great line knife. I've been using it for prep and line service for a month and only had to do some minor honing. The core steel is very hard and the weight is well balanced. This is a great knife in a professional environment.
