Nigara Bunka VG-10 Damascus Tsuchime is a multi-purpose Japanese kitchen knife, suitable for preparing meat, fish, and vegetables. Its VG-10 stainless steel core ensures a fine sharpness with little to no maintenance. As such, the knife is also suitable as a first Japanese knife or gift. Fitted with ebony handle.
Nigara Bunka VG-10 Damascus Tsuchime is a multi-purpose Japanese kitchen knife, suitable for preparing meat, fish, and vegetables. Its VG-10 stainless steel core ensures a fine sharpness with little to no maintenance. As such, the knife is also suitable as a first Japanese knife or gift. Fitted with ebony handle.
Photo of knife choil. Nigara Bunka VG-10 Damascus Tsuchime is a multi-purpose Japanese kitchen knife, suitable for preparing meat, fish, and vegetables. Its VG-10 stainless steel core ensures a fine sharpness with little to no maintenance. As such, the knife is also suitable as a first Japanese knife or gift. Fitted with ebony handle.
Nigara VG-10 Damascus Tsuchime line of knives.
Nigara VG-10 Damascus Tsuchime line of knives.
Nigara Bunka VG-10 Damascus Tsuchime is a multi-purpose Japanese kitchen knife, suitable for preparing meat, fish, and vegetables. Its VG-10 stainless steel core ensures a fine sharpness with little to no maintenance. As such, the knife is also suitable as a first Japanese knife or gift. Fitted with ebony handle.
Nigara Bunka VG-10 Damascus Tsuchime is a multi-purpose Japanese kitchen knife, suitable for preparing meat, fish, and vegetables. Its VG-10 stainless steel core ensures a fine sharpness with little to no maintenance. As such, the knife is also suitable as a first Japanese knife or gift. Fitted with ebony handle.
Nigara Bunka VG-10 Damascus Tsuchime is a multi-purpose Japanese kitchen knife, suitable for preparing meat, fish, and vegetables. Its VG-10 stainless steel core ensures a fine sharpness with little to no maintenance. As such, the knife is also suitable as a first Japanese knife or gift. Fitted with ebony handle.
Nigara Bunka VG-10 Damascus Tsuchime is a multi-purpose Japanese kitchen knife, suitable for preparing meat, fish, and vegetables. Its VG-10 stainless steel core ensures a fine sharpness with little to no maintenance. As such, the knife is also suitable as a first Japanese knife or gift. Fitted with ebony handle.
Photo of knife choil. Nigara Bunka VG-10 Damascus Tsuchime is a multi-purpose Japanese kitchen knife, suitable for preparing meat, fish, and vegetables. Its VG-10 stainless steel core ensures a fine sharpness with little to no maintenance. As such, the knife is also suitable as a first Japanese knife or gift. Fitted with ebony handle.
Nigara VG-10 Damascus Tsuchime line of knives.
Nigara VG-10 Damascus Tsuchime line of knives.
Nigara Bunka VG-10 Damascus Tsuchime is a multi-purpose Japanese kitchen knife, suitable for preparing meat, fish, and vegetables. Its VG-10 stainless steel core ensures a fine sharpness with little to no maintenance. As such, the knife is also suitable as a first Japanese knife or gift. Fitted with ebony handle.
Nigara Bunka VG-10 Damascus Tsuchime is a multi-purpose Japanese kitchen knife, suitable for preparing meat, fish, and vegetables. Its VG-10 stainless steel core ensures a fine sharpness with little to no maintenance. As such, the knife is also suitable as a first Japanese knife or gift. Fitted with ebony handle.

Nigara Hamono

Nigara Bunka VG-10 Damascus Tsuchime 180mm (7.1")

220,00€

Only 0 left in stock

✔︎ No import fees & duties - worldwide
✔︎ All taxes included
✔︎ Express worldwide shipping
✔︎ 30-day return policy

There are knives, and then there are Knives. The Knives of the Nigara VG-10 Damascus Tsuchime line definitely deserve to be written with a capital K.

The look and feel of these Knives will leave no one indifferent. The unique tsuchime hammered pattern blends seamlessly into the complex damascus waves, creating a breathtaking play of lines and shapes that extend towards the glossy razor-sharp cutting edge.

The blade is fitted with a rare dark ebony Japanese handle, made from a single piece of smooth luxury wood that feels polished to the touch and offers an unparalleled tactile experience with every cut.

The Nigara Bunka VG-10 Damascus Tsuchime 180mm (7.1") is a multi-purpose Japanese kitchen knife, suitable for preparing meat, fish, and vegetables. Its VG-10 stainless steel core ensures a fine sharpness with little to no maintenance since the steel resists corrosion very well. As such, the knife is also suitable as a first Japanese knife or gift.

The knife has all the advantages of a traditional Japanese bunka blade shape:
→ a gently designed belly of the blade suitable for making either long or short cuts,
→ a flat back side of the blade,
→ and a thin pointy reverse tanto tip for precise cuts and carvings.

The unique hail-like hammer blows prevent ingredients from sticking to the blade during chopping, making for faster and more precise work.

BLADE SHAPE:

The shape of the blade is called Bunka which means culture in Japanese. Bunka makes for a highly versatile knife suitable for cutting vegetables, meat, and fish. 

With its typical functionality, the design of a Bunka blade is intended for versatile use in Western cuisine:

  • It has a flexible profile that is wide enough at the handle,
  • a gently designed belly of the blade suitable for making either long or short cuts,
  • a flat back side of the blade,
  • and a thin pointy reverse tanto tip for precise cuts and carvings.

The angle of the spine rapidly changes to meet the tip, which is referred to as a »K-Tip«. Besides looking badass, this shape allows the user precision and makes getting to the hard-to-get-places a bit easier.

*The length of the cutting edge is 169mm (heel to point), but with this knife the length is measured from the edge of the handle to the tip of the blade, amounting to 180mm.

STEEL:
VG-10 (V for Vanadium, G for "gold" as in "gold standard") is made by Takefu Special Steel Company, a relatively small steel company that around 60 years ago managed to find just the right balance of different elements to create the most popular Japanese knife making steel today. VG-10 steel is stainless steel with relatively high Carbon (C) content (1%), 15% Chromium (Cr), 1% Molybdenum (Mo), 0.3% Vanadium (V), and 1.5% Cobalt (Co). The combination of Cr, Mo, and V forms a lot of hard carbides, making the steel abrasion-resistant, which translates to long-lasting, smooth sharpness. 

LAMINATION:
The core layer consisting of VG-10 steel was sandwiched between layers of softer, pliable steel that had been forged together to create a rippling damascus pattern. This technique is called  san-mai and is used to improve the blade's structural integrity and subsequent ability to withstand impacts and to prevent chipping. San-mai translates to “three layers” in Japanese, referring to a blade that is composed of a primary, inner layer of harder steel (hagane) and two secondary, outer layers of softer steel (jigane) that protect the prior.

GEOMETRY:
It has a double bevel (symmetrical) blade so it is suitable for both left- and right-handed users. Based on the ratio between the surfaces (the location of the angle change), this knife's profile is classified as a flat V-edge type, which makes it less brittle and easier to resharpen.

BLADE FINISH:
The blade finish of the knife is a unique fusion of tsuchime hammer indentations, reminiscent of hail, and a complex wavy damascus pattern. The surface of the blade was treated with a special textured hammer, leaving complex geometric impressions on its upper part. It is a stunning technique that involves skillfully hammering the blade's surface to create captivating indentations, which—aside from the purely aesthetic—also has a distinct practical function of reducing friction and creating air pockets that diminish the sticking of food to the blade during cutting. The tsuchime indentations seamlessly blend into the damascus pattern, which flawlessly transitions into a glossy cutting edge.

HANDLE:
The Japanese handle (Wa) is made from a single piece of luxurious, rich dark ebony wood, which is renowned for its exceptional hardness and density, which makes it one of the most durable and resistant woods. It is polished to a high gloss, creating a luxurious and elegant appearance and smooth feel that fits into the hand seamlessly. With its octagonal shape, it is suitable for both left and right-handed users. Recently the number of manufacturers of such handles has decreased, making them difficult to find.

BLACKSMITH:
Nigara Hamono is a historic smithy with a 350-year tradition. It has been active in the city of Hirosaki since the early Edo Period, when it started making swords for the Tsugaru clan. With over a hundred forging shops in the region during that era, Nigara Forging stands as a testament to Tsugaru Uchihamono's rich history and artistry.

For more than 350 years, Nigara Hamono has been a distinguished family of swordsmiths. Initially appointed by the region of Tsugaru to craft Japanese swords, the smithy transitioned to knife-making after the traditional swordsmithing techniques gained recognition during World War II.

While sword production ceased in 1965, Nigara Hamono continues to preserve traditional forging techniques, showcasing its artistry through Honuchi knives – authentic Japanese knives made with traditional methods, which exemplify the skill and experience accumulated throughout numerous generations of blacksmiths.

With their crafted items being officially certified as Aomori Prefecture Traditional Crafts in December, 2007, Nigara Hamono stands as a living testament to the enduring traditional craftsmanship rooted in the town of Hirosaki, Japan.

The current head blacksmith of Nigara Hamono, Tsuyoshi Yoshizawa, who works alongside his father Toshi Yoshizawa, is an eighth-generation blacksmith with a passion for knives, art, and music. His famous Nigara Anmon design is the result of his love of Andy Warhol’s artwork.

Blade shape: Bunka

Steel type: VG-10

Blade construction: San-mai / v-edge / tsuchime, damascus

Hardness (HRC scale): 61

Overall length: 313mm (12.3")

Blade length: 171mm (6.7")

Blade height: 47mm (1.9")

Spine thickness: 1.9mm (0.07")

Weight: 155g (5.5 oz)

Handle length: 128mm (5")

Handle type / wood: Japanese (Wa) style / ebony

Kanji on the blade: "Nigara Made" 二唐作

Blacksmith: Nigara Hamono

Location of the smithy: HIROSAKI / Aomori Prefecture / Japan

☝️ Japanese kitchen knives in our store are handmade from natural materials. Slight variations in color, texture, weight and other dimensions are possible. We try to give a good photographic representation of our products, however computer screen resolution and colors do vary, so products might not look exactly as they are seen on screen.

Blade wear depends on the quality of steel, usage and maintenance of the blade. Japanese knives are made of high-quality steels. Follow these tips to keep your Japanese knife in top-notch shape:

✔ Use a wooden, plastic or rubber cutting board.
✔ After use, wash the knives and wipe them dry.
✔ For storage, use a knife holder or a protective knife sheath (saya).
✔ A good cutting technique is your best bet to prolong sharpness.
✔ Use sharpening stones to sharpen the knife.

❗️Don’t leave the knife in the sink. Wash it by hand.
❗️Don’t wash the knife in the dishwasher.
❗️Don’t use the knife on glass, ceramics, marble or steel surfaces.
❗️Don’t scrape the food off the cutting board with the edge of the blade. Use the spine of the knife instead.
❗️Knife is a tool intended for specific use - cutting food. It is not a can opener, screwdriver, trowel, wire cutter, hammer etc.

→ For more details, read our guide
on
Maintenance of Kitchen Knives.

🤙 Contact us if you need some help. We reply within 1 business day.

SHIPPING RATES:
- €10
- flat worldwide rate with DHL Express (express delivery, 2-5 business days).
- FREE - all orders over €300 (DHL Express).

EXCEPTIONS:
- United Kingdom
- shipping to UK costs €15. All orders are shipped with UPS Express (2-3 business days). Free shipping on orders over €300.
- Russia (currently not available) - shipping to Russia costs €40. All orders are shipped with EMS postal service.

DUTIES AND IMPORT TAXES:
We ship all orders DDP (duties & taxes paid). This means you will not be charged for any import fees and taxes (including VAT). All our prices are final. The price you see at checkout is the final price, no hidden costs.

DELIVERY TIME:
- Europe:
1-2 business days
- US & Canada: 2-4 business days
- Rest of the World: 3-5 business days

RETURNS:
Our return policy lasts 30 days. If more than 30 days have gone by since the day you received your order, unfortunately we can’t offer you a refund or exchange.

→ Read our SHIPPING & RETURNS policy for more info. We strive to solve any issues fast and with as little hassle for you. If you have some additional questions, please contact us.

Customer Reviews

Based on 2 reviews
100%
(2)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
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C
Christopher Gunkel
Fantastic Craftsmanship

It's a beautifully made knife that looks great in any kitchen, and on top of that you can cut with it.

Well balanced, very nimble and precise. Feels good to hold.

X
Xavier S

Magnifique, léger et précis !

Each knife comes with:

✔️ Instructions and knife care leaflet.
✔️ A preventive Band-Aid – the knives are very sharp! 😉
✔️ Original box from the blacksmith, which we wrap in an old Japanese newspaper sheet – so every knife is ready to be passed on as a gift as soon as it hits your doorstep!
✔️ We also offer a special gift wrapping option with the traditional Japanese washi paper.

Express Worldwide shipping

10€ flat rate with DHL Express.
Free on orders over 300€.

Some exceptions apply.

No Duties & Fees

We cover any import fees, worldwide.
All prices are final, tax included.

Easy Returns

Something not OK?
You have 30 days to return it, no questions asked.

Attentive support

Get in touch, we usually respond within a few hours.

Customer Reviews

Based on 2 reviews
100%
(2)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
C
Christopher Gunkel
Fantastic Craftsmanship

It's a beautifully made knife that looks great in any kitchen, and on top of that you can cut with it.

Well balanced, very nimble and precise. Feels good to hold.

X
Xavier S

Magnifique, léger et précis !

QUIZ

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