Shu Matsubara Ginsan Damascus Bunka 180mm (7.1")

• Style: Bunka
• Brand: Shu Matsubara
• Length: 180mm (7.1")
• Blade Steel Type: Ginsan (Silver 3) Stainless Steel
• HRC: 61
• Bevel Angle Ratio: 50/50
• Weight: 5.9 oz (167g)
• Special Feature: Damascus
• Cover: Not included

This knife, crafted from premium Ginsan (Silver 3) Steel, strikes an ideal balance between sharpness and rust resistance. Revered for its superior forgeability, Ginsan Steel is commonly used in high-precision, single-bevel Japanese knives. It provides a reliable edge that retains its sharpness while maintaining long-term durability, making it a trusted choice for professional chefs.
Expertly tempered to a target hardness of HRC 61, this blade is optimized for high performance in demanding kitchen environments. Its design features a carefully tapered blade, thick at the heel and gradually thinning toward the cutting edge, ensuring exceptional sharpness across the entire blade. The knife’s balance and ergonomic feel are tailored to perfectly complement a chef’s grip, offering a smooth, comfortable cutting experience for precision control with every stroke.

Tanaka Kama Kogyo Co., Ltd., operating under the trade name Shu Matsubara, is a renowned knife manufacturer based in Matsubara, Omura City, Nagasaki Prefecture. Under the leadership of fourth-generation master Katsuo Tanaka, the company handles every step of the knife-making process in-house—from forging and heat treatment to sharpening and attaching the handle—ensuring the highest level of quality control. The origins of Matsubara knives can be traced back over 500 years to Naminohira Yukiyasu, a legendary swordsmith of the Heike clan. In 1474, his descendants established a workshop in Matsubara, Hizen (now Omura City), where they forged swords at the Hachiman Shrine and crafted tools such as sickles for local farmers. Over the centuries, these techniques have been refined, with each generation perfecting the balance between sharpness and resilience, continuing the legacy of unmatched craftsmanship.

The Bunka knife is a general-purpose knife similar to the Santoku. Its profile allows for much the same usage as a Santoku (meats, vegetables, and fish) while having a finer, more pointed tip that aids in precision cutting, such as mukimono or fine cuts, like brunoise and julienne.