Bunka

Bunka with a 181 mm blade.

Weight: 170 g
Blade height at heel: 50 mm
Spine thickness: 2.3 mm
Core steel: SG Strix stainless powder steel
Cladding: Stainless Damascus steel
Handle: Stabilized and dyed maple, octagonal

This is a handmade knife crafted from the modern powder steel SG Strix. The hard stainless core steel offers excellent edge retention and is particularly well suited to thin Japanese kitchen knives.

The core steel is clad in multiple layers of stainless steel, creating a distinct Damascus pattern along the blade. The blade also features a hammered texture, giving the series a more expressive design and creating a striking contrast with the Damascus pattern and the polished section closest to the edge.

The octagonal handle is made from stabilized and dyed maple. The stabilization process makes the wood hard and dimensionally stable, while the dye enhances the maple’s natural grain. Each handle therefore has its own unique pattern and may vary slightly in color and grain.

Ogata is a skilled knifemaker from Takefu in Fukui, Japan. He previously worked for several years as a sharpener for the renowned blacksmith Shiro Kamo before establishing his own workshop. His knives are characterized by thin blades, refined geometries, and excellent cutting performance.

For the production of his knives, Ogata works with Takefu Special Steel, which processes and heat-treats the steel. Ogata then carries out the grinding, profiling, and final finishing himself in his workshop in Takefu.