Misuzu Hamono M02 Ko-Bunka 105mm

The SK5 M series of knives is a real joy, their laser thin profile and no taper from heel to just before the tip are great fun to use and that distinctive sweeping heel design is (we think) very cool!

The clean lines of the blade and very subtle angled hairline polish across the cladding running down to a hazy and finally polished finish on the exposed core steel is great.

It's abundantly clear that a lot of effort and time goes into each knife.

The knives are impressively light in hand, thanks to their thin laser like blade profiles and also because the magnolia wood used in the handles is light so they feel nimble in hand and in use.

A spine and heel haven't been rounded off so are a little of a hard angle but it's not a significant problem for comfort and use and is to be expected when so much work has gone into the blade that small finishing touches like this are skipped.

Miyawaki-san also chooses a stylistic design for his handles which feature a small "step" round where the hood of the handle meets the bolster.

SK5 is a durable Japanese high-carbon tool steel favored for its toughness and resistance to chipping. With a heat treatment to around 60 HRC, this offers an ideal balance of edge retention and impact resistance. Because it is a highly reactive carbon steel with minimal chromium, it requires diligent care; the blade must be wiped clean and dried immediately after use to prevent rust or corrosion.

The SK5 core steel is clad with stainless and that SK5 core can be quite reactive so it's definitely a knife to expect patina and visual changes when it reacts with your ingredients so it's one to keep a cloth handy to wipe between uses and ensure you wash and dry after use.

For long term care and maintenance we recommend our carbon steel care kit bundle.