SG2 Bunka Matte 165mm (6.5″)

SG2 Bunka Matte is our third multi-purpose Japanese kitchen knife we designed. It embodies all of our knowledge and years of experience presenting Japanese kitchen knives to knife lovers around the world. She already has a special place in our kitchen (and in our hearts 😍), just next to her bigger sister ZDP-189 Bunka Black, and we hope it will soon find a special place in your kitchen too.

SG2 Bunka Matte 165mm (6.5″) is very much related to Bunka Black Damascus, the other knife we designed together with the smithy Suncraft from Seki city in Japan. Suncraft made this SG2 Bunka exclusively for us.

The SG2 Bunka has two big differences that differentiate it from Bunka Black Damascus: the steel and the looks. Blade geometry and shape, specifications and the handle remain the same.

This bunka is made of SG2/R2 powder steel. Powder steels are currently the hardest steels available for knife making, which means the knife will keep a smooth and sharp edge for an extremely long time. The second difference is visual – this bunka features a matte, unpolished finish with a very pronounced line at the bottom of the blade. This line indicates the border between the two softer, outer layers of steel, and the strong SG2 core steel, seen exposed at the very edge of the blade. We love the geometry and the slim profile, so we recommend it to all cooks, regardless if you are a professional chef or a passionate home cook.

With its 165mm (6.5″) blade length, SG2 Bunka Matte makes for a highly versatile knife suitable for cutting vegetables, meat and fish. The slim blade profile (1.8mm) and hard powder Japanese steel provide a winning combination of smooth and long-lasting sharpness, precise cutting and comfortable and fast work.

BLADE SHAPE:
Bunka is a multi-purpose knife, suitable for cutting veggies, meat and fish. Primarily designed for use in home kitchens, although we are sure it will be wielded by many professional chefs that want to have a shorter, more agile multi-purpose knife at hand.

STEEL:
SG2 (also known as R2 steel) is a powder steel, renowned for its hardness and subsequent edge retention—due to a high carbon (C) content of 1.5%. The steel is also high in chromium (Cr)—around 15%, which adds to corrosion resistance and Molybdenum (Mo) that improves the blade’s wear resistance. R2 steel blades will be able to achieve a fine sharpness due to the fine microstructure of the steel and will keep it—without having to worry about maintenance and corrosion.

LAMINATION:
SG2 Bunka Matte is forged by Japanese knifemaker Suncraft in the famous knife city Seki in Gifu prefecture. Forged with a common “sandwich” method called san-mai with the core steel made of SG2 powder steel, one of the best stainless steels. The knife was hardened to around 62-63 HRC, which means it will stay sharp for a very, very long time. The composition and microstructure of the steel provide extremely fine and smooth sharpness.

BLADE FINISH:
This bunka and petty feature a matte, unpolished finish with a very pronounced line at the bottom of the blade. This line indicates the border between the two softer, outer layers of steel, and the strong SG2 core steel, seen exposed at the very edge of the blade.

GEOMETRY:
It has a double bevel (50/50 symmetrical) blade. The extremely thin profile of the blade (spine thickness at 1.8mm) and hard Japanese steel will deliver a smooth and long-lasting sharpness. 

HANDLE:
The handle attached to the SG2 Bunka Matte followed the same logic as the blade – universal and easy to maintain. A beautiful, dark brown, octagonal-shaped pakka wood handle sits well in your hands regardless if you are left- or right-handed. Pakka wood is a mixture of laminated wood and epoxy resin which is highly durable and will not get stained easily.

ABOUT THE BLACKSMITH:
Suncraft is a family company spanning four generations and specializing in the production of kitchen tools. The smithy was founded in 1948 and is located in a thriving manufacturing area of Seki in Gifu prefecture, where steelwork dates back to the times of the Samurai warriors.

CUSTOM SAYA:
We also made a custom-fit saya (knife sheath) which is not included in the price and can be ordered separately. Sayas are hand-made from walnut wood, so the pattern and colors are slightly different with every piece, as it can be seen on the photos.