HAP40 is what CKTG has been calling Voodoo Steel for years - a powdered high-speed semi-stainless alloy from Hitachi Metals that holds its edge three to five times longer than traditional carbon or stainless steels. At 65-66 HRC, it is harder than Aogami Super and SG2, fine-grained enough to take a razor-sharp edge, and semi-stainless enough to handle daily kitchen use without the reactive surface care that carbon demands. Gihei has been building around this steel in Sanjo City since the shop was established in 1928. Atsushi Hosokawa and his son run the operation today.
The bunka combines the versatility of a santoku with a reverse tanto tip for precise detail work a flat-tipped blade cannot handle. The reverse tanto tip handles fine garnish cuts, aromatics, and tight prep tasks alongside the full range of daily kitchen work. The octagonal oak handle and the even, double-bevel grind will suit both left- and right-handed users well.
Care Instructions: HAP40 is a semi-stainless steel - highly stain-resistant under normal kitchen conditions. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher. Use wood or rubber cutting boards. Avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard materials. Sharpen on quality water stones - HAP40 at 65-66 HRC sharpens more readily than its hardness suggests and responds well to stropping between sessions. The extraordinary edge retention means sharpening sessions are less frequent than with any other steel in the lineup.Blacksmith: Atsushi Hosokawa
Workshop: Gihei
Location: Sanjo City, Japan
Founded: 1928
Construction: San Mai
Edge Steel: HAP40 PM Semi-Stainless (Hagane)
Cladding: Stainless Steel (Jigane)
HRC: 65-66
Edge Grind: Even (50/50), Double Bevel
Handle: Octagonal Oak, Burnt Urushi Finish
Weight: 3.9 oz (110 g)
Blade Length: 173 mm
Total Length: 308 mm
The bunka combines the versatility of a santoku with a reverse tanto tip for precise detail work a flat-tipped blade cannot handle. The reverse tanto tip handles fine garnish cuts, aromatics, and tight prep tasks alongside the full range of daily kitchen work. The octagonal oak handle and the even, double-bevel grind will suit both left- and right-handed users well.
Care Instructions: HAP40 is a semi-stainless steel - highly stain-resistant under normal kitchen conditions. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher. Use wood or rubber cutting boards. Avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard materials. Sharpen on quality water stones - HAP40 at 65-66 HRC sharpens more readily than its hardness suggests and responds well to stropping between sessions. The extraordinary edge retention means sharpening sessions are less frequent than with any other steel in the lineup.
