Bunka with a 175 mm blade.

Blade height: 51 mm
Thickness at the handle: 3 mm
Thickness at the spine’s midpoint: 1.8 mm
Weight: 143 grams
Steel: Aogami #2 with iron cladding (not stainless)

These knives have a raw and powerful character. The spine of the blade is tapered, and the edge is extremely thin. Perfect for anyone seeking a knife with a solid, robust feel combined with delicate precision.

Tanaka Kama Kogyo is the owner of the Matsubara forge in Nagasaki. He is the fourth-generation blacksmith in his family, and he forges the blades by hand with great precision. The steel is called Aogami, a very hard carbon steel that takes an exceptionally thin and sharp edge. The quality of the edge depends heavily on the hardening and heat treatment. We have personally used Matsubara’s knives and can attest that the steel quality is truly excellent. The edge retention and cutting performance of Matsubara knives surpass most others.

Note: Carbon steel is not stainless! Always dry the knife thoroughly after use to prevent rust. Over time, carbon steel will develop a patina in various tones. This is completely normal, but can be polished away with polishing compound if desired.