Hona 175mm Bunka Review: A Sharp, Versatile All-Rounder Worth a Look

Introduction

The Hona 175mm Bunka has arrived, and it earns attention right away with its SG2 stainless steel core, layered Damascus finish, and an octagonal handle accented with buffalo horn ferrules. The bunka shape is an all-purpose profile designed to handle just about everything in a home or professional kitchen, and this version brings a genuinely premium material list to that versatile category.

One detail worth flagging up front: these knives were described as 170mm, but on arrival they measured slightly longer, hence the 175mm name. That extra bit of length turns out to be a nice bonus for versatility.

First Impressions

This knife ticks the usual boxes for a well-made kitchen blade: it is thin at the spine, thin behind the edge, has a tall blade, and a fairly flat profile. The spines are not super sanded down and carry some shoulders, but they are certainly not uncomfortable to pinch or push on.

The larger tang that continues into the handle is another highlight. It fills the hand a little more and adds a solid, reassuring feel. The handle itself is nice and chunky, which will not suit everyone, but if you prefer a big, comfortable grip this design fills the hand beautifully.

Cutting Performance: Onion Test

The onion is always a revealing test, and this knife passed with style. Slicing through the root end, often a stumbling block for a blade that is not properly sharp out of the box, went through easily and cleanly. A second dice confirmed it was no fluke.

The tall blade really shows its value during vertical cuts. Because the blade is taller at the tip, the transition from cutting edge to spine is more gradual, which helps the knife flow through ingredients with less resistance. The relatively flat profile for a bunka also helps here, giving a good workable flat spot without being overly extreme.

Food Release and the Carrot Test

Food release was the one concern going in. An earlier batch from the same blacksmith had been a little sticky, so expectations were cautious. Those fears turned out to be unfounded: the onions flew off the blade with barely any suction or stickiness.

The carrot test confirmed it. This is a demanding ingredient, and the cuts came out clean with no crushed or stuck-together pieces. The Damascus finish has a subtle texture you can feel when running a finger along the blade, and it seems to genuinely help with food release, especially during push cuts and pull cuts where stickage is common. The knife also handles rock chopping well thanks to a pleasant bit of belly in the profile, even for cooks who normally prefer a push-cut style.

Handle, Balance and Everyday Comfort

The octagonal handle suits both right-handed and left-handed users, and the thickness of the tang where it meets the handle makes the whole knife feel substantial without being clumsy. The 175mm length sits comfortably between a smaller all-rounder and a full-size chef knife, making it a genuinely versatile everyday option.

The blade is sharp right out of the box, the profile feels natural in hand, and the tall blade adds knuckle clearance and cutting confidence. For anyone who has been put off bunkas by sticky food release in the past, this one changes the conversation.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The chunky handle is a matter of taste, so if you prefer slim wa-handles this may not be your fit. The spines retain some shoulder rather than a mirror-polished sanding, which most users will find fine but perfectionists should note. It is also worth knowing that the maker is still a young blacksmith, and quality has improved noticeably batch to batch, which is a good sign but means batches may vary.

Buying Advice

If you want a single do-everything knife with premium steel, excellent food release, and a comfortable grip, the Hona 175mm Bunka is an easy recommendation. Carrot and onion tests are two of the most demanding checks for how a knife performs in real use, and this one came through both looking effortless.

Conclusion

A beautiful knife with strong edge-out-of-box sharpness, a tall and well-profiled blade, and food release that genuinely impressed. If a chunkier handle appeals to you and you want one versatile length for daily prep, the Hona 175mm Bunka deserves a place on your shortlist.