Damascus "Bunka" style utility knife, 9 cm blade.
The paring knife is the second most commonly used knife, after the chef's knife. Bunka knives are recognizable by their angular, inverted blade profile (reverse Tanto profile); this particular geometry gives them greater precision than a classic rounded profile. The thin blade of the Bunka Damascus paring knife allows you to slice and mince without ever crushing even the most delicate ingredients, so they retain all their flavor. Furthermore, the dimpled blade reduces friction between the knife and the food being cut, preventing it from sticking to the blade.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the hammering of the "Tsuchime" (槌目) blade creates tiny air pockets between the blade and the food slices. This ancient Japanese method prevents food from sticking to the blade, resulting in a smooth and quick cut.
The KOTAI Bunka Damascus paring knife is forged from AUS-10 steel, a premium steel that combines a high carbon content for edge hardness and longevity with the optimal amount of chromium to prevent oxidation. The full hidden tang—a single piece of steel extending from the tip of the blade to the end of the handle—gives the Bunka paring knife ideal balance and exceptional durability. Japanese precision, Western robustness. The best of both worlds.
* 100% handmade
* Ultra-sharp Japanese AUS-10 high-carbon stainless steel
* Full silk
* Ebony handle
* HRC hardness: 61 +/- 1
* Weight: 84g
* Perfectly balanced
* Bamboo saya (sheath) included with each knife
* Lifetime warranty
Damascus steel (or simply Damascus steel) is composed of a layer of very hard steel – in this case, AUS-10 – for the cutting edge, surrounded by 66 successive layers of softer steel to protect the inner layer. This type of blade combines the strengths of a very high-carbon steel – the AUS-10 core layer reaches a hardness of 61 HRC – with the advantages of softer steels, such as impact and corrosion resistance.
The blade, forged from 67 layers of steel, boasts exceptional edge retention, along with increased durability and chip resistance. In addition to these mechanical properties, Damascus steel is prized because no two Damascus blades will have exactly the same pattern; each knife is unique.