Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD Damascus Bunka 170mm with Olive Handle

Overview

The Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD Damascus Bunka 170mm with mono olivewood handle is a compact, high-performance Japanese kitchen knife built for cooks who want laser-like agility without giving up versatility. This bunka profile is especially useful when you want the flat cutting feel of a santoku but with a more aggressive k-tip for finer tip work, detail cuts, and fast line prep. In practical use, that means it handles vegetables, boneless proteins, herbs, garlic, shallots, and everyday board work with speed and control.

At the core is SLD semi-stainless steel, a favorite for users who want excellent edge retention and a sharper-for-longer feel without the higher reactivity of more traditional carbon steels. The stainless Damascus cladding adds visual depth and a bit more day-to-day ease, while the mono olivewood handle gives this version a warmer, more organic look than the more common ebony-handled variants. For home cooks asking, “Is this a good all-around Japanese knife?” the answer is yes—especially if you want something more nimble than a gyuto and more pointed than a santoku.

The Hikari line is known for thin, performance-focused geometry, and this 170mm bunka fits that idea well. It is long enough to cover most daily prep, yet short enough to feel controlled in smaller kitchens or for users who prefer a more precise knife. Pair it with a soft, knife-friendly board like a Hasegawa Pro Cutting Board to help preserve the edge, and hand wash and dry it after use for the best long-term performance.

Common Questions

Q: What is this knife best used for?

A: This bunka is an excellent daily prep knife for vegetables, boneless meats, herbs, fruit, and general kitchen work. The k-tip gives it a little more precision than a santoku, so it feels especially good for fine cuts, trimming, and detail work.

Q: Is this knife suitable for home cooks?

A: Absolutely. SLD is a smart choice for home cooks because it offers strong edge retention with easier maintenance than many fully reactive carbon steels. If you want a Japanese knife that feels refined and high performing without being overly fussy, this is a very safe choice.

Q: How do I care for a high-end Japanese knife like this?

A: Hand wash only, dry it promptly, and avoid dishwashers, bones, frozen foods, glass, granite, or very hard cutting surfaces. A light touch-up on a leather strop like our Tokushu Knife Premium XL Buffalo Strop can help maintain bite between sharpenings. For longer-term care, professional edge service is available through our knife sharpening service.

Specifications

• Brand: Hatsukokoro
• Line: Hikari
• Knife Type: Bunka
• Core Steel: SLD semi-stainless
• Cladding Type: Stainless Damascus cladding
• Construction: San Mai
• Finish: Damascus
• Blade Length: 177 mm actual edge length (170 mm listed size)
• Overall Length: 317 mm
• Blade Height at Heel: 46 mm
• Spine Thickness (Heel): 2.0 mm
• Spine Thickness (Mid): Specs not found
• Weight: 142 g
• Handle Material: Mono olivewood wa handle
• Hardness (HRC): Specs not found
• Edge Grind: Even 50/50