Hinokuni Kurouchi Bunka 18 cm Shirogami #1

Hinokuni Kurouchi Bunka 18 cm Shirogami #1 is a versatile Japanese kitchen knife designed for working with vegetables, meat, and fish. The Bunka profile combines a wide blade with a distinctive angled tip, making it suitable for everyday board work as well as more precise cutting tasks.

The blade features a Shirogami #1 carbon steel core, a pure Japanese steel highly valued for its sharpness, ease of sharpening, and aggressive cutting edge. With a hardness of 62+/-1 HRC, the knife delivers precise cutting performance and strong edge retention. As this is a reactive carbon steel, the blade should be washed and thoroughly dried after use.

The blade has a traditional Kurouchi finish, a dark, rustic surface left from the forging process. It gives the knife a strong handmade character and emphasizes its traditional Japanese style. The iron cladding is also reactive, so it requires regular care just like the core steel.

The cherry wood handle pairs naturally with the rustic blade finish and gives the knife a warm, traditional appearance. The synthetic ferrule improves durability and supports everyday use. The double bevel grind makes the knife comfortable for both right and left handed users.

Hinokuni Kurouchi Bunka is a strong choice for users looking for a traditional Japanese carbon steel knife that is easy to sharpen and delivers direct, highly responsive cutting performance.

Specifications

Brand: Hinokuni
Country of manufacture: Japan
Knife type: Bunka
Blade length: 17.6 cm
Overall length: 31.2 cm
Blade height at heel: 4.8 cm
Blade height mid: 4.3 cm
Spine thickness at heel: 4.0 mm
Spine thickness mid: 2.6 mm
Handle length: 12.7 cm
Handle: cherry wood, synthetic ferrule
Steel: Shirogami #1 core, iron cladding
Blade finish: Kurouchi
Hardness: 62+/-1 HRC
Grind: double bevel
Weight: 181 g