Hado Shiosai SG2 Powdered Stainless 180mm Bunka - Cherry Bark Handle

Rhythm of the Tide: Hado Shiosai 180mm Bunka

The Hado Shiosai 180mm Bunka is a masterpiece of modern Sakai craftsmanship, designed for chefs who prioritize both precision and aesthetic soul. Part of the celebrated Shiosai ("sound of the tide") series, this blade is forged from SG2 (Super Gold 2) Powdered Steel, reaching an elite hardness of 64 HRC. This results in a surgical edge that maintains its "bite" significantly longer than traditional stainless steels.

The Bunka profile serves as a versatile alternative to the standard Gyuto, featuring a flatter edge ideal for push-cutting vegetables and a "clipped" K-tip for intricate detail work. This technical excellence is paired with a rare Sakuraza handle, featuring a core of Oak wrapped in genuine Cherry Bark. This traditional Kabazaiku bark-work is naturally slip-resistant, moisture-repellent, and visually unique to every piece.

Artisan Craftsmanship

Hado Sakai is renowned for its collaborative approach, bringing together the region's finest craftsmen under the artistic direction of Takaya Oyamada. The Shiosai series represents a perfect balance of high-hardness metallurgy and refined hand-finishing. The Hado in-house sharpening team applies a sophisticated convex grind to these blades, creating a "thin-behind-the-edge" geometry that provides effortless food release and a nearly frictionless cutting experience.

Technical Specifications

Universal Handling: Left & Right-Handed Friendly

This Bunka is ground with a symmetrical 50/50 double-bevel edge, ensuring it performs identically for both right-handed and left-handed users. The octagonal Cherry Bark handle is neutrally shaped, providing a warm, tactile grip that feels secure and balanced for any chef.

What’s in the Box?

• Hado Signature Packaging: A beautifully designed box reflecting Hado’s modern artisan aesthetic.

• Protective Blade Cover: A temporary sleeve for safe initial transport and storage.

Authorized Hado Dealer 

When you purchase from Hasu-Seizo, you are guaranteed an authentic product sourced directly from Hado (Sakai Fukui) in Sakai, Japan. Every Hado blade is hand-inspected at our Seattle, WA warehouse to ensure it meets our exacting standards before being shipped to you.

Sharpening Maintenance

SG2 steel is remarkably rewarding to sharpen, but its high hardness requires quality stones. To maintain this blade's surgical edge, we recommend a #1000 Grit Whetstone to start. Then, a #6000 Grit Whetstone for finishing, which produces a mirror-polished finish that highlights the "Shiosai" tides of the blade.

Performance & Care

• Best For: All-purpose vegetable prep, dicing aromatics, and slicing proteins.

• Care: Hand-wash only with mild soap and dry immediately. Never use a dishwasher.

• Safety: Strictly avoid cutting bone, frozen foods, or hard pits. A 64 HRC edge is optimized for fine cutting and should never be used for prying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the advantage of the Bunka shape? The Bunka is essentially the versatile cousin to the Santoku or Gyuto. Its flat profile is superior for chopping and push-cutting (where the blade makes full contact with the board), and the aggressive K-tip is much more precise for tasks like scoring proteins or mincing garlic.

How does SG2 compare to standard stainless steel? SG2 is a "Super Steel" created through powder metallurgy. This allows it to be much harder (and stay sharp much longer) than standard stainless steel, while remaining easier to sharpen and maintaining high rust resistance.

Where is this knife shipped from? Every Hado knife is stocked and inspected at our US-based warehouse in Seattle, WA. We offer fast domestic delivery and local customer support you can trust.