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Home | Japanese Knives | Hitohira Hizen 190mm Bunka Shirogami #2 Kurouchi Walnut Handle

Hitohira Hizen 190mm Bunka Shirogami #2 Kurouchi Walnut Handle

£64.13
£64.13
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READ IMPORTANT DELIVERY OPTION INFORMATION

A workhorse carbon steel nakiri. Its made using tough shirogami #2 and left with a slightly thicker edge than most that will allow for harder work. We still recommend avoiding bones, frozen foods, etc.

Everyday Prep

Good for veggies and boneless protein

Avoid Bones & Dense Foods

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

Iron Clad Carbon

Reactive core steel between two reactive layers.

Wide Kireba Bevel

Smooth, robust 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: 195mm
Total Length: 334mm
Edge Length: 191mm
Heel Height: 51mm
Spine Thickness: 2.8mm
Weight:
Orientation: Ambidextrous

Blade Type:
Steel Type: Shirogami 2 (White Paper #2)
Steel Hardness (HRC):
Maintenance: More Attention
Handle Type: Japanese (wa)
Handle Material: Walnut & Plastic Ferrule Oval

  • This is a carbon steel knife made from thin, hard steel.
  • Hand wash and towel dry after use. Do not air dry or place in the dishwasher.
  • Expect oxidation (color change, staining, spotting) with use.
  • Prolonged exposure to moisture or food debris will cause rust; remove any rust with a light abrasive.
  • 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 - Japanese

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

£37.72
£37.72
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Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi 1200 Grit Blue Marble Semi-Soft Ceramic Japanese Whetstone

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

£55.83
£55.83
Sold Out
Bernal Cutlery Takarazukushi 4000 Grit Yellow Semi-Hard Resinoid Japanese Whetstone

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

£61.87
£61.87
Arashiyama #6000 Whetstone Stone NO Wooden Base

Arashiyama #6000 Whetstone Stone NO Wooden Base

£43.76
£43.76
Arashiyama #6000 Whetstone With Nagura Stone and Wooden Base

Arashiyama #6000 Whetstone With Nagura Stone and Wooden Base

£51.30
£51.30
Bernal Cutlery Monodiachrome™ Precharged Deburring Strop

Bernal Cutlery Monodiachrome™ Precharged Deburring Strop

£30.18
£30.18

Shirogami 2 (White Paper #2)

Carbon (C): 1.05–1.15%| Manganese (Mn): 0.2–0.3%| Phosphorus (P/S): trace

White 2 is a slightly lower|carbon variant (~1.05–1.15% C) offering better toughness and ease of sharpening. Common in Japanese kitchen knives, it reaches ~61–63 HRC and provides a clean, crisp edge. It’s reactive but widely loved for its balance between hardness and maintainability.

About Hitohira

Tokyo, Japan

Hitohira is a Tokyo-based company that has strong partnerships with a wide network of Japanese blacksmiths, sharpeners, and handle makers to offer thoughtfully curated kitchen knives. Rather than producing in-house, they focus on sourcing and quality control, working closely with both renowned and lesser-known craftspeople to bring exceptional tools to cooks and collectors worldwide.

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