We have a soft spot for bunka-style blades. The added height, compact dimensions, and reverse tanto tip add up to a kitchen utensil of extreme versatility. It is a wonder tool for most cutting and slicing tasks around the kitchen. Its shorter length makes it easy to handle and a great choice for smaller boards and hands. The shape also gives the knife a rigid and superbly controlled feel.
This is no ordinary bunka, however. It is a stunning example of the art of blade-making, supremely fit for use or simply as a collectible. The fit and finish of the blade and handle are as good as it gets. The heat treatment and grinds are also world-class. The core of the blade is made from Aogami 2 high carbon steel by the Hitachi Metals Company. This steel is highly sought after and is made from Japanese pure sand irons at their famous Yasugi plant in Shimane Prefecture. It is coveted for its great edge retention and ability to take a very acute edge.
The inner core is laminated with a soft iron which protects the Shirogami and adds a shock-absorbing attribute to the knife. The blade face has a high primary grind which looks like a single bevel blade. The aesthetic quality of the three different finishes on the blade faces is beautiful. Together with the wonderful handle made from rosewood, nickel silver, and buffalo horn, this adds up to a knife that is as much a looker as it is a performer.Brand Name: Sakai Takayuki
Blacksmith: Itsuo Doi, Suogo Yamazuka
Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
Cladding: Soft Iron
Edge: Blue #2
Edge Grind: Double Bevel, Even (see photo)
Knife Type: Kengata (Bunka)
Handle: Rosewood Octagonal
Spacer: Nickel Silver
Weight: 6.7 oz (190 g)
Edge Length: 179 mm
Total Length: 337 mm
Spine Thickness at Base: 2.4 mm
Blade Height at Base: 48.3 mm
Black Saya Included
This is no ordinary bunka, however. It is a stunning example of the art of blade-making, supremely fit for use or simply as a collectible. The fit and finish of the blade and handle are as good as it gets. The heat treatment and grinds are also world-class. The core of the blade is made from Aogami 2 high carbon steel by the Hitachi Metals Company. This steel is highly sought after and is made from Japanese pure sand irons at their famous Yasugi plant in Shimane Prefecture. It is coveted for its great edge retention and ability to take a very acute edge.
The inner core is laminated with a soft iron which protects the Shirogami and adds a shock-absorbing attribute to the knife. The blade face has a high primary grind which looks like a single bevel blade. The aesthetic quality of the three different finishes on the blade faces is beautiful. Together with the wonderful handle made from rosewood, nickel silver, and buffalo horn, this adds up to a knife that is as much a looker as it is a performer.
Reviews
3 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) The knife I reach forPosted By: Guy Louis Lassabatere
7 people found this review helpful
I have had this knife for about four months, so please allow me to share some feed back. For a moment, let's put aside how stunningly attractive this knife is. It's unusual look is what caught my eye. I am not a collector, rather what I purchase must perform. This knife out performs any other knife I have. My other knives are Aogami Super which is a great choice for kitchen knives. However, this was my first purchase of a knife made from Blue #2. What an eye opener this was! The edge glides through anything I have tried to cut. I was a bit concerned about possible wedging but rest assured that is not a problem. No resistance, smooth all the way through the stroke. I was also concerned about product sticking to this blade as it is such a highly polished finish. Again, this has never been a problem. If you use a rocking style, you may have to tone it down a bit so as not to catch the tip as this has very little curve to the cutting edge. So for performance, I'd give six stars if I could. Let's circle back to how this knife looks. At this point I would start to sink in to a fan boy zone so let's just say this is one of the most beautiful knives I have ever seen. When you combine form and function as Aoki Hamono Seisakusho Company has done here you have the best of both worlds. I looked at this knife for about ten months before I ordered it and I am very pleased I did. As always, Mark was a great help answering my questions leading up to my purchase. Just jump in, this knife is a joy to use.
7 people found this review helpful
I have had this knife for about four months, so please allow me to share some feed back. For a moment, let's put aside how stunningly attractive this knife is. It's unusual look is what caught my eye. I am not a collector, rather what I purchase must perform. This knife out performs any other knife I have. My other knives are Aogami Super which is a great choice for kitchen knives. However, this was my first purchase of a knife made from Blue #2. What an eye opener this was! The edge glides through anything I have tried to cut. I was a bit concerned about possible wedging but rest assured that is not a problem. No resistance, smooth all the way through the stroke. I was also concerned about product sticking to this blade as it is such a highly polished finish. Again, this has never been a problem. If you use a rocking style, you may have to tone it down a bit so as not to catch the tip as this has very little curve to the cutting edge. So for performance, I'd give six stars if I could. Let's circle back to how this knife looks. At this point I would start to sink in to a fan boy zone so let's just say this is one of the most beautiful knives I have ever seen. When you combine form and function as Aoki Hamono Seisakusho Company has done here you have the best of both worlds. I looked at this knife for about ten months before I ordered it and I am very pleased I did. As always, Mark was a great help answering my questions leading up to my purchase. Just jump in, this knife is a joy to use.
Great knife! Doesn't get much better than this...Posted By: dbt816 - verified customer
7 people found this review helpful
This is possibly the best looking knife on CKTG. It took me weeks and weeks of starting at it, but one day I gave in and purchased one. This is a display-only knife for me! Absolutely love it!
7 people found this review helpful
This is possibly the best looking knife on CKTG. It took me weeks and weeks of starting at it, but one day I gave in and purchased one. This is a display-only knife for me! Absolutely love it!
