About Masakage Kumo -

Takumi Ikeda-san loves making stunning damascus blades, and the Kumo is no exception. The name means ‘cloud’ in Japanese, inspired by the cloud-like patterns in the steel. Sandwiched between those gorgeous steel layers is a core of crazy-sharp VG10 stainless steel, an incredible material made to perform like ancient carbon steel but with minimal maintenance. The result is a blade that cuts like a dream while being super easy to care for. 

Ikeda-san, the nephew of legendary blacksmith and Takefu Knife Village co-founder Katsushige Anryu-san, began his knifemaking apprenticeship in 2007. In January 2021, Anryu-san officially passed the reins of Anryu Hamono to Ikeda-san. By that point, Ikeda-san was already a master and doing most of the forging at Anryu Hamono. With some serious traditional skills under his belt and a fresh outlook on knifemaking, Ikeda-san is already doing the family legacy justice.

About the Shape - The Bunka looks like a bonafide badass. It is a multi purpose knife akin to the Santoku. “Bunka” translates to “culture.” A cross between the Nakiri and Gyuto, Bunkas can do it all. It’s the best of both worlds with the volume cranked to 11.