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Home | Japanese Kitchen Knives | Hatsukokoro Hayabusa 180mm Bunka HAP40 Walnut Handle

Hatsukokoro Hayabusa 180mm Bunka HAP40 Walnut Handle

£168.29
£168.29
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READ IMPORTANT DELIVERY OPTION INFORMATION

We are happy to add these high performance knives from Hayabusa into our lineup, great for busy professionals and home cooks who are looking for long edge life and can look after a non stainless knife. 

These knives have a stainless suminagashi or damascus cladding over a high alloy HAP 40 core with a walnut wa-style handle.

HAP 40 made by Hitachi's Yasugi Specialty Steels is a high alloy powder metal with exceptionally excellent edge holding and toughness. HAP 40 is not a stainless alloy but rusts slowly given it's rich alloy composition, sometimes referred to as semi-stainless.



About This Knife

General Purpose

Good for veggies and boneless protein

Avoid Bones & Dense Foods

If you can't bite it, don't cut it.

Semi-stainless

Reacts very slowly with regular use.

Convex Grind

Super smooth cutting feel.

Ambidextrous

Suitable for all users.

Bunka

A bunka is a Japanese multipurpose kitchen knife known for its angular kiritsuke-style tip. Its flat edge profile excels at push-cutting and chopping, while the sharp, pointed tip provides precision for detail work and piercing tasks. Versatile and agile, the bunka covers everyday prep from vegetables to proteins with a bit more tip control than a standard santoku.

Listed Length: 180mm
Total Length: 321mm
Edge Length: 182mm
Heel Height: 48mm
Spine Thickness: 1.9mm
Weight:
Orientation: Ambidextrous

Blade Type: Stainless Clad Semi-Stainless Steel
Steel Type: HAP40
Steel Hardness (HRC): 65-67
Reactive: Partially
Handle Type: Japanese (wa)
Handle Material: Walnut & Horn Ferrule

  • This is a semi-stainless steel knife made from thin, hard steel.
  • Semi-stainless steel knives can vary in corrosion resistance and can develop a light patina if they are neglected regularly.
  • Hand wash and dry immediately after use. Do not air dry or clean in the dishwasher.
  • Rust can form with repetitive long-exposure to moisture or debris. Remove surface rust gently with a mild abrasive and progress to more aggressive abrasives if needed. Coarse abrasives will leave scratches in most finishes.
  • Avoid twisting, scraping, or use on dense or hard foods and surfaces to avoid early dulling and edge damage. If you wouldn't bite into it, don't cut it with this knife.
  • Use on wooden cutting boards only. Do not use bamboo, plastic, stone or metal cutting surfaces.

Dive Deeper

Medium-fine finish

We recommend sharpening by hand using whetstones starting around 1000 grit progressing to at least 4000 for this steel type and edge geometry. Finish with a monodiachrome strop for a smooth cut with a substantial bite. Finer finishes are possible, but the knife may slide on smooth foods and overall edge retention may suffer. During repair, use a super coarse stone to pass chips quickly to help keep flat bevels.

  • Avoid pull-through sharpeners and non-water-cooled mechanized systems.
  • Strops and ceramic honing rods are preferred for as-needed edge maintenance. If you have to use a honing rod to be able to use the knife comfortably, it's time to sharpen the knife.

Sharpening Supplies

Stones & Accessories selected specifically for this knife.

Arato-kun #220 Extra Coarse Grit Whetstone

Arato-kun #220 Extra Coarse Grit Whetstone

£26.25
£26.25
Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi 1200 Grit Blue Marble Semi-Soft Ceramic Japanese Whetstone

Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi 1200 Grit Blue Marble Semi-Soft Ceramic Japanese Whetstone

£57.12
£57.12
Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi 4000 Grit Yellow Semi-Hard Resinoid Japanese Whetstone

Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi 4000 Grit Yellow Semi-Hard Resinoid Japanese Whetstone

£63.30
£63.30
Arashiyama #6000 Whetstone Stone NO Wooden Base

Arashiyama #6000 Whetstone Stone NO Wooden Base

£44.77
£44.77
Arashiyama #6000 Whetstone With Nagura Stone and Wooden Base

Arashiyama #6000 Whetstone With Nagura Stone and Wooden Base

£47.86
£47.86
Bernal Cutlery Monodiachrome™ Precharged Deburring Strop

Bernal Cutlery Monodiachrome™ Precharged Deburring Strop

£30.88
£30.88



HAP40

Carbon (C): 1.20–1.35% | Chromium (Cr): 3.7–4.7% | Molybdenum (Mo): 4.6–5.4% | Tungsten (W): 5.6–6.4% | Vanadium (V): 2.8–3.3% | Cobalt (Co): 7.5–8.5%

HAP40 is Hitachi’s PM high‑speed steel delivering extreme hardness (~64–67 HRC) and superb wear resistance with workable toughness. It takes and holds a very fine edge for a long time; best in thin, high‑performance kitchen knives and fine slicers where edge life is paramount.



About Hatsukokoro


Hatsukokoro curates knives from skilled blacksmiths across Japan, bringing diverse regional styles under one name. “Hatsukokoro” means “First Heart,” reflecting a focus on foundational craftsmanship and quality. Instead of forging in-house, they partner with trusted makers to offer a wide variety of blades—each finished and sharpened to the brand’s high standards. Whether sourced from Tosa, Sakai, or Sanjo, Hatsukokoro knives emphasize thoughtful design, practical performance, and consistent quality. It’s a brand for cooks who appreciate variety, craftsmanship, and well-selected tools from across Japan’s knifemaking regions.

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