Hinokuni White #1 Kurouchi Bunka 180mm
Tax excluded. Free US shipping on orders over $99.
180-day returns on eligible unused items. Free prepaid label. Return details.
Free US standard shipping over $99. Normally fulfilled within 2 business days. Delivery details.
Every order insured. We handle shipping claims.
Overview
The Hinokuni Shiro Kuro Shirogami #1 Kurouchi Bunka 180mm is a rustic, hand-forged Japanese all-purpose knife made for cooks who want carbon steel sharpness, easy sharpening, and real blacksmith character. Forged by Yukihiro Sakai of Kumamoto, Japan, this bunka combines a reactive White #1 carbon steel core with soft iron cladding and a traditional kurouchi blacksmith finish.
The 180mm bunka profile is one of the most useful shapes in a Japanese kitchen knife lineup. It has enough length for daily prep, a flatter edge for push cutting, and a pointed reverse tanto tip for detail work. Use it for vegetables, herbs, boneless proteins, garlic, shallots, and general board work. Compared with a gyuto, this bunka feels compact and controlled; compared with a santoku, the sharper K-tip gives better precision at the front of the blade.
Shirogami #1, also called White #1 steel, is loved because it can take an extremely fine edge and is very responsive on sharpening stones. This is a fully reactive carbon steel knife, so it will patina with use and needs to be washed and dried immediately after cooking. For cooks who enjoy traditional Japanese knives, that reactivity is part of the appeal: the blade develops its own character over time while rewarding good technique with excellent cutting feel.
Common Questions
Q: What is the Hinokuni Shiro Kuro Bunka best used for?
A: This knife is best for everyday prep: slicing vegetables, chopping herbs, cutting onions, trimming boneless meats, and handling smaller precision tasks with the pointed K-tip. It is not designed for bones, frozen food, hard squash stems, or twisting through dense ingredients.
Q: Is Shirogami #1 easy to maintain?
A: Shirogami #1 is easy to sharpen but requires careful cleaning. Wipe the blade during longer prep sessions, wash by hand only, and dry it immediately after use. For longer storage or humid kitchens, a light coat of 100% pure tsubaki oil helps protect the reactive carbon steel and iron cladding.
Q: Is this a good Japanese knife for home cooks?
A: Yes, if the home cook understands carbon steel care. The Hinokuni Bunka is a great choice for someone who wants a handmade Japanese knife with strong cutting performance, traditional steel, and a rustic kurouchi finish without jumping into a much higher price point.
Q: How do I keep the edge sharp?
A: Use a soft, knife-friendly cutting board and avoid scraping the edge sideways on the board. Light stropping on the Tokushu Knife Premium XL Buffalo Leather Strop can help maintain the edge between sharpening sessions. When it needs a full reset, our knife sharpening service is a good option for keeping the geometry performing properly.
Specifications
- Brand/Blacksmith: Hinokuni / Yukihiro Sakai
- Knife Type: Bunka
- Core Steel: Shirogami #1 / White #1 Carbon Steel
- Cladding Type: Iron Clad
- Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
- Finish: Kurouchi
- Blade Length: 180mm
- Overall Length: 320mm
- Blade Height: 49mm
- Spine Thickness (Heel): 3.5mm
- Weight: Approximately 183g
- Handle Material: Oval Cherry or Oak Wa Handle with Black Plastic Ferrule
- Hardness (HRC): 63 HRC
- Edge/Bevel: Double Bevel
- Country of Origin: Kumamoto, Japan
Shipping, returns and order protection
US shipping: Free on orders over $99. Orders are normally fulfilled within 2 business days, and UPS Ground transit is typically 1–5 business days after fulfillment. Custom handle installation or sharpening may add 1–2 business days.
Returns: Eligible purchases may be returned within 180 days with a free prepaid return label. Knives sharpened by Tokushu Knife or fitted with a custom handle remain eligible if they are otherwise new, unused, undamaged, and returned in their original packaging with all included components. The same refund terms apply.
Order protection: Every order is insured. If a package is lost or damaged, contact us at Tony@TokushuKnife.com and we will handle the claim.
Outside the US: Supported international orders from TokushuKnife.com typically ship via FedEx Delivered Duty Paid (DDP). Tokushu Knife pays all applicable import duties and taxes on the customer's behalf. Customers are not responsible for paying duties or taxes. Available destinations, shipping charges and delivery estimates are shown at checkout. Customers may also shop at TokushuKnife.eu for regional inventory and options.
Choose options
Cut Above the Rest
Steel, Construction and Care
Our catalog includes stainless, semi-stainless and carbon steels selected for edge performance and durability. Carbon steels may develop a patina, while stainless steels are designed to resist discoloration. Follow the care guidance on each product page, hand wash only and dry the knife promptly after use.
