Chef's knife in R2 Damascus steel with Bunka blade 165 mm, Etsu (Ittetsu)

Ittetsu (Etsu Knife) knives are a new line of knives originating from Echizen, Japan, one of the most important and well know cutlery centers in the world.  Some of the best blacksmiths and knifemakers in the region are responsible for making these knives, with fit, finish, and materials being superb.  The prices as of now are absolutely rock bottom for the quality, but they will likely go up as the brand is picking up popularity.  

The Ittetsu 165mm Damascus R2/SG2 Bunka is superbly made.  The Damascus pattern is absolutely gorgeous, and the aesthetics of the knife are beautiful overall with the shape and Machi.  The R2/SG2 High Speed Powdered Steel (HSS/HSPS) cutting core will take an absolutely razor sharp edge without much difficulty, and has outstanding edge retention.   The Ittetsu 165mm Bunka is still fairly thin behind the edge and combined with the excellent grind, overall cutting performance is outstanding.  The Ittetsu 165mm R2/SG2 Damascus Bunka is fairly tall for the shape, with excellent proportions provided by the full Machi.  The Machi also allows for a wide range of grip styles.  Along with the very light weight, these knives are very comfortable to use for extended lengths of time, even in smaller work areas.

Bunka are general purpose Japanese kitchen knives with K-tip blades, which have become exceedingly popular in recent years.  They are able to tackle a wide variety of tasks in the kitchen, while being small, compact, and nimble.  They also have a cool factor that very few other blade shapes can match!

Specifications/Information:

Maker - Etsu Knife (Ittetsu)

Shape - Bunka, Japanese general purpose kitchen knife

Weight - 4.2oz

Overall length - 12.25 inches

Blade length - 165mm (6.5 inches)

Blade height - 1.9 inches

Blade material - R2/SG2 high speed powdered steel (stainless) inner core, clad with stainless Damascus steel

Blade hardness - 62-63HRC

Edge geometry - Double bevel

Spine thickness - About 2.19mm at heel, tapers to about 1.95mm by midway

Finish - Matte dark Damascus

Handle shape - Traditional Japanese, octagonal

Handle material - Walnut, Pakka ferrule

Ittetsu knives are fairly sharp out of the box, but upon request, I can touch up the edge before shipping out (please contact me). 

Please do not put these knives in a dishwasher or cut frozen foods, bone, or other hard material.

Most Japanese hand finished knives may have some minor scratches, dings, or imperfection on the blade or handle. This is normal and not out of the ordinary.

The knife in the pictures is the exact knife the buyer will receive.