Matsubara Aogami #2 Nashiji Stainless Clad 6.7" Bunka

I have the Santoku from this line, so I decided to pick up the Bunka while on sale. It has also delivered. It arrived very sharp and has the same great cutting feel as the Santoku from this line. I love the tall blade, it's comfortable to use, and it is a sharp looking knife. Highly recommended.

I love this knife. I polished it with a 6000-grit stone, and cut some apples. The knife was so sharp it was biting into my cutting board. I would like it to be a little longer, but it's better to buy a gyuto if you want something longer. The exposed carbon steel edge will rust quickly. I removed the rust that formed, and I forced a patina so it won't rust anymore. This is a beautiful knife. Balance is nice, and the handle is the right size.

The knife is beautiful, balances perfectly in my hand, and the quality is first class. The only issue I had and why I did not give it five stars was that it was not as sharp as I expected. The sharpness was fair but not what I would expect for a knife in this price range. Every Shun, Enzo, and Yaxell knife I’ve purchased were far sharper out of the box. Once I sharpened the knife it was a joy to use.