Bunka style knives are gaining in popularity really fast around here. The combination of a compact length, tall height, and an aesthetic appeal that simply cannot be denied, results in a very desirable package.
While the reverse tanto tip is the most obvious design element of the blade, it is the performance that really sets this knife apart. The edge profile is very much like a standard gyuto. A fairly flat profile favors chop and push cutting styles. The difference lies in the taller height, more like a santoku, which many people prefer to shorter height knives especially when a one-knife-does-it-all approach is favored. Then there is the tip. This great looking design element takes the bunka to another level. The tip allows for some really intricate detail work as well as the ability to have it ground super thin, for increased cutting performance.
The Yoshimi bunka is a great rendition of this style knife. It is made from SG2 PM steel. The inner core is clad with a soft stainless steel. It is a light and thin knife that performs as well as it looks...and those looks are quite something. The damascus is stunning and matches the lovely rosewood handle to perfection. This is art and science and age old techniques rolled into one beautiful package.Brand: Yoshimi SG-2
Blacksmith: Yoshimi Kato
Location: Echizen, Japan
Construction: San Mai
Method: Hammer Forged
Core Edge Steel: SG-2 Powdered Stainless Steel
Cladding: Damascus Stainless
HRC: 61-62
Engraving: Hand Engraved
Edge Grind: Even (See Choil Shot)
Handle: Ebony Octagonal
Ferrule: Pakka Wood
Weight: 4.5 ounces
Blade Length: 165mm
Total Length: 310mm
Spine Thickness at Base: 1.6mm
Blade Height: 46.5mm
While the reverse tanto tip is the most obvious design element of the blade, it is the performance that really sets this knife apart. The edge profile is very much like a standard gyuto. A fairly flat profile favors chop and push cutting styles. The difference lies in the taller height, more like a santoku, which many people prefer to shorter height knives especially when a one-knife-does-it-all approach is favored. Then there is the tip. This great looking design element takes the bunka to another level. The tip allows for some really intricate detail work as well as the ability to have it ground super thin, for increased cutting performance.
The Yoshimi bunka is a great rendition of this style knife. It is made from SG2 PM steel. The inner core is clad with a soft stainless steel. It is a light and thin knife that performs as well as it looks...and those looks are quite something. The damascus is stunning and matches the lovely rosewood handle to perfection. This is art and science and age old techniques rolled into one beautiful package.
Reviews
9 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Too thin but BeautifulPosted By: Brandon Nelson - verified customer
4 people found this review helpful
The knife is absolutely beautiful but the profile is so thin I'm certain I'll chip it at some point. I buy my knives to use my knives. I bought this along with about dozen other handmade knives from Makoto and Kurosaki. While this cuts amazingly and feels great in the hand I'll take my makoto's first and Yu's second.
4 people found this review helpful
The knife is absolutely beautiful but the profile is so thin I'm certain I'll chip it at some point. I buy my knives to use my knives. I bought this along with about dozen other handmade knives from Makoto and Kurosaki. While this cuts amazingly and feels great in the hand I'll take my makoto's first and Yu's second.
Beautiful knife Beautiful, sharp, and an absolute laser BeautifulPosted By: Jordan Magaro
3 people found this review helpful
Okay, this is my first bunka, basically I wanted to try one and wanted to try this steel. It is the most breathtakingly beautiful knife I have in my collection and I would not hesitate to get more from this same line. The damascus gives it a rougher finish and food might stick a bit but I am not worried about it.
3 people found this review helpful
Okay, this is my first bunka, basically I wanted to try one and wanted to try this steel. It is the most breathtakingly beautiful knife I have in my collection and I would not hesitate to get more from this same line. The damascus gives it a rougher finish and food might stick a bit but I am not worried about it.
Yoshimi SG2 Bunka 165mm The positive influence of a well thought out gift.Posted By: Lee
4 people found this review helpful
I made this purchased as a gift for my beautiful bride and best friend of 30 plus years. For many of those years she has put up with my well-developed knife obsessions and nerd-i-ness that started years before we met. We both know knives and have had and have professional food backgrounds that ranged from fast foods, boutique restaurant, Medical Food Science and meat cutting/butchering. It took a long time to convince her of the Japanese knifes superiority and the worth of the additional effort of maintenance and the few peccadillo's of usage. This knifes sharpness was a 7.5/10 OTB and easily brought up to scary sharp. Most people use a ripe tomato for sharpness testing; try using a Kalamata olive; as this knife succeeded on. After just a few sessions of knife skills/play, she easily got the hang of pinch grips and the cutting readjustment to using this new Bunka knife. She did have to break a few old habits of using her inferior obese forged German and French Swords for so many years. Her new Yoshimi SG-2 Bunka was so much lighter and simply just perfect for her. The balance, light weight, materials in blade, handle construction combined with the sheer beauty of the individual personality of the Damascus is the art of the whole, everything including the proper 165mm size dimensions was spot on. Mr. Kata makes impeccable knives and CKTG service is that good and that fast. I just may have created a new knife nerd; my wife out of the blue asked me when the TV show Forged in Fire comes on.
4 people found this review helpful
I made this purchased as a gift for my beautiful bride and best friend of 30 plus years. For many of those years she has put up with my well-developed knife obsessions and nerd-i-ness that started years before we met. We both know knives and have had and have professional food backgrounds that ranged from fast foods, boutique restaurant, Medical Food Science and meat cutting/butchering. It took a long time to convince her of the Japanese knifes superiority and the worth of the additional effort of maintenance and the few peccadillo's of usage. This knifes sharpness was a 7.5/10 OTB and easily brought up to scary sharp. Most people use a ripe tomato for sharpness testing; try using a Kalamata olive; as this knife succeeded on. After just a few sessions of knife skills/play, she easily got the hang of pinch grips and the cutting readjustment to using this new Bunka knife. She did have to break a few old habits of using her inferior obese forged German and French Swords for so many years. Her new Yoshimi SG-2 Bunka was so much lighter and simply just perfect for her. The balance, light weight, materials in blade, handle construction combined with the sheer beauty of the individual personality of the Damascus is the art of the whole, everything including the proper 165mm size dimensions was spot on. Mr. Kata makes impeccable knives and CKTG service is that good and that fast. I just may have created a new knife nerd; my wife out of the blue asked me when the TV show Forged in Fire comes on.
fine Hocho Great knife, great servicePosted By: Luke - verified customer
3 people found this review helpful
Awesome, unique pattern, which varys enormously from knife to knife. This gives each knife a real custom feel.
Great customer service from CKTG! Fairly quick delivery to Australia. Order processed immediately by CKTG.
Sharpness out of box 7/10
Well balanced, light knife. Very nimble.
Comfortable handle and finger hold.
Nice rounded spine edge and finger hold egde.
3 people found this review helpful
Awesome, unique pattern, which varys enormously from knife to knife. This gives each knife a real custom feel.
Great customer service from CKTG! Fairly quick delivery to Australia. Order processed immediately by CKTG.
Sharpness out of box 7/10
Well balanced, light knife. Very nimble.
Comfortable handle and finger hold.
Nice rounded spine edge and finger hold egde.
Stunning Appearance Amazing SharpnessPosted By: Ryan - verified customer
3 people found this review helpful
Great knife, extremely sharp out of the box. I would say this is noticeably sharper than several VG-10 steel knives I own. I received excellent customer service throughout my purchase of this blade and will continue to purchase knives through CKTG in the future!
3 people found this review helpful
Great knife, extremely sharp out of the box. I would say this is noticeably sharper than several VG-10 steel knives I own. I received excellent customer service throughout my purchase of this blade and will continue to purchase knives through CKTG in the future!
