Ko Bunka Damascus Knife Reverse Tanto USA Flag Handle
SKU: 82811209494

Ko Bunka Damascus Knife Reverse Tanto USA Flag Handle

Sale price$179.10 Regular price$199.00
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Description

Ko Bunka Damascus Knife Reverse Tanto USA Flag HandleThe Ko Bunka sits in your hand like it was sized for it. Compact and forward heavy, with that angled tip pointing where your cut needs to go. The Damascus pattern ripples across the face and the USA flag resin handle gives you a grip that does not shift when things get wet. This is a knife built for people who cook, not people who display. What is this knife? This ko bunka damascus knife is a compact Japanese prep knife for home cooks, culinary

The Ko-Bunka sits in your hand like it was sized for it. Compact and forward-heavy, with that angled tip pointing where your cut needs to go. The Damascus pattern ripples across the face and the USA flag resin handle gives you a grip that does not shift when things get wet. This is a knife built for people who cook, not people who display.

What is this knife?

This ko bunka damascus knife is a compact Japanese prep knife for home cooks, culinary students, and gift buyers who need a precise, agile blade for tight board work. Built from 200 layers of Damascus steel hardened to 55 to 58 HRC, it pairs a reverse tanto tip with a USA flag resin handle and steel bolster. It ships from Texas, USA within 5 to 10 days. The Ko-Bunka profile is a shorter, more compact version of the standard Bunka, purpose-built for detailed prep where a full-size chef knife feels oversized.

The Blade

The steel is 200-layer Damascus high carbon steel, forged and acid-etched to reveal the layered pattern across the full face of the blade. At 55 to 58 HRC, the edge is hard enough to handle daily prep tasks without needing frequent sharpening and tough enough to take a full whetstoning without chipping. The reverse tanto tip is the defining feature of the Ko-Bunka: where most chef knives have a curved tip that rises from the spine, the Bunka tip slopes from the spine down to meet the edge in a sharp angle. This gives you a tip that is precise and controlled for scoring, trimming, and fine cuts that a standard chef knife tip cannot reach cleanly. The blade height near the heel gives you full-knuckle clearance for a standard pinch grip and enough surface for push cuts on garlic, onions, and herbs.

The Handle

The handle is USA flag resin, stabilized and finished to a firm, smooth surface with visible flag colors running through the material. Resin handles are waterproof, unlike wood, which makes this handle particularly suited to daily kitchen use where the grip takes constant contact with wet hands. The steel bolster sits at the transition between blade and handle and adds weight exactly where you want it for balance. A quick note on sizing: the Ko-Bunka is a compact knife format. The handle is sized proportionally to the blade, which means it is shorter than a full chef knife handle. If you have very large hands and want a full-size handle, the 8-inch Gyuto from JW SteelCrafts is the better fit. For most hands, the Ko-Bunka handle seats comfortably in a standard pinch grip.

The Build

Full tang construction runs the steel through the full length of the resin handle. This is a structural choice that matters for a prep knife that takes repetitive short cuts: every chopping stroke transfers through one piece of steel, not a joint between blade and handle that loosens over time. The balance point sits just forward of the bolster, which keeps the tip engaged on the board without needing to muscle the blade forward. The overall weight is light to moderate, appropriate for a compact prep knife where you want agility over mass.

Storage and Protection

No leather sheath is confirmed for this product. The included item is 1x Ko-Bunka Damascus prep knife. Store this knife on a magnetic knife strip, in a knife roll, or in a knife block slot with a blade guard. Never store an exposed Damascus blade in a utensil drawer: contact with other metal tools dulls the edge and scratches the Damascus finish. If you want a sheath, contact JW SteelCrafts directly to ask about custom storage options.

Real-World Use

The Ko-Bunka handles everything on the small end of daily kitchen prep: garlic cloves, shallots, fresh herbs, citrus segmenting, mushrooms, small proteins, and any task where you want a tight tip for detail work. Home cooks who already own a Gyuto or full chef knife reach for the Ko-Bunka when the larger blade is too much knife for the task. Culinary students use it as a board knife that travels well in a knife roll. The reverse tanto tip makes it particularly strong for scoring and trimming where a Santoku or flat-tipped nakiri cannot reach without a repositioning movement. A machine-stamped prep knife is cut from flat stock and never develops the grain structure that forging builds into the steel: the hand-forged edge holds its sharpness longer between sessions because the grain structure of the steel supports the edge geometry from the inside.

The JW Difference

JW SteelCrafts is a Texas-based brand. Every knife ships from the USA within 5 to 10 business days. The brand holds a 4.91-star rating from 829 verified buyers across the full lineup. No two pieces are forged identically: the Damascus pattern on your blade forms from the specific sequence of folds, the temperature, and the hands that made it. Custom orders are available, with handle options including rosewood, stag, bone, pakka wood, resin, and olive wood. If you want this blade in a different handle, contact the shop directly.

Specifications

Feature

Detail

Blade Length

Approx. 5.5 inches (Assumption: Ko-Bunka standard range is 5 to 6 inches. Exact length not stated on page. Confirm with warehouse.)

Overall Length

Approx. 10 inches (Assumption based on Ko-Bunka proportions. Confirm with warehouse.)

Blade Steel

Damascus high carbon steel

Layer Count

200 layers (JW SteelCrafts brand specification. NOT stated on the current page. Add this immediately.)

Blade Hardness (HRC)

55 to 58 HRC (JW SteelCrafts brand specification. NOT stated on the current page. Add this immediately.)

Blade Finish

Acid-etched Damascus pattern (assumption per standard JW SteelCrafts finishing. Confirm with warehouse.)

Blade Tip Style

Reverse tanto (K-tip) for precise detail and scoring work

Handle Material

USA flag resin with steel bolster

Tang

Full tang (assumption per JW SteelCrafts standard construction. Confirm with warehouse.)

Handle Size Note

Ko (small) format. Handle is proportionally compact to match blade. Buyers with very large hands should consider the full-size Gyuto or Bunka.

Includes

1x Ko-Bunka Damascus prep knife. No sheath confirmed. Contact shop for storage options.

Ships From

Texas, USA

Made By

Hand-forged artisans, JW SteelCrafts


Who Is This For?

  • Home cooks who own a full-size chef knife and want a compact second blade for herbs, garlic, and small prep tasks where the large blade is too much

  • Culinary students who carry a knife roll and need a nimble, compact prep knife that fits neatly alongside a Gyuto or Gyuto-style blade

  • Patriot-themed gift buyers who want a Damascus knife with a bold USA flag handle for Father's Day, a retirement, groomsmen, or a military-themed collection

  • Damascus knife collectors who want a compact Japanese profile in hand-forged Damascus as a display and use piece

How to Use It

Use a pinch grip with your index finger and thumb on either side of the blade just ahead of the bolster. The short blade responds to small wrist movements, so keep your motion tight and controlled.

For garlic and shallots, press the flat of the blade to crush, then use the heel for rough chopping and the tip for fine work. The reverse tanto tip gets into corners and joins that a curved tip cannot reach.

For herbs, use a rocking motion with your free hand flat on the spine near the tip. The Ko-Bunka is short enough to rock efficiently without the tip dragging.

For citrus segmenting and small protein trimming, use the tip like a paring knife: small, deliberate pull cuts with the knife tilted slightly away from you.

Use a wood or soft plastic cutting board only. Glass, granite, and ceramic surfaces will chip the Damascus edge within one session.

How to Care for It

After Every Use:

  • Hand-wash the blade with warm water and mild dish soap. Never put a Damascus blade in a dishwasher.

  • Dry immediately with a clean cloth. Never air-dry. Moisture in the etched Damascus layers causes rust in the pattern lines.

  • Wipe from the spine toward the edge, never drag your fingers across the cutting edge.

Every Two to Three Weeks:

  • Apply a thin coat of food-safe mineral oil or camellia oil to the full blade surface.

  • Work the oil into the Damascus etching with a soft cloth. Let it absorb for one minute. Wipe off any excess.

Handle Care (Resin):

  • The USA flag resin handle is waterproof and requires no oiling or conditioning.

  • Wipe clean after use. Avoid abrasive scrubbers that can dull the resin surface finish over time.

  • Resin handles are more durable than wood in wet environments and will not swell, crack, or absorb odors.

Storage:

  • Store on a magnetic knife strip or in a knife roll with a blade guard.

  • Never store unprotected in a utensil drawer. Contact with other metal tools damages the Damascus pattern and dulls the edge.

Sharpening:

  • Use a whetstone starting at 1000 grit to restore a dull edge. Finish at 3000 to 6000 grit for a kitchen-sharp edge.

  • Maintain the original bevel angle, which is typically 15 to 17 degrees per side for a double-bevel Japanese prep knife.

  • A leather strop used weekly keeps the edge sharp between whetstone sessions without removing steel.

  • Never use a rotary grinder or pull-through electric sharpener. Heat destroys the temper and permanently damages the Damascus pattern.

Patina:

  • High carbon Damascus steel develops a dark natural patina over time. This is normal and actually increases corrosion resistance. Do not sand it off.

Frequently Asked Questions

What steel is this ko bunka damascus knife made from?

This knife is built from 200 layers of Damascus high carbon steel hardened to 55 to 58 HRC. The layered construction creates the pattern visible across the blade face. No two blades share the same pattern because each blade forms its own distinct grain during forging. The edge holds a sharp working bevel through daily prep tasks and sharpens cleanly on a whetstone.

Is a Ko-Bunka knife good for daily kitchen prep?

Yes, for compact prep tasks. The Ko-Bunka handles garlic, herbs, shallots, citrus, mushrooms, and small proteins well. It is not a replacement for a full chef knife on large cuts or heavy prep sessions. Use it as a dedicated small-board prep knife alongside a Gyuto or Western chef knife for the best results.

Does this knife come with a sheath?

No sheath is confirmed for this product. It includes the Ko-Bunka Damascus prep knife only. Store it on a magnetic strip, in a knife roll, or with a blade guard in a knife block. If you need a protective cover, contact JW SteelCrafts directly to ask about custom storage options.

Is a Damascus kitchen knife legal to own in the USA?

Yes. Damascus kitchen knives are legal to own in all 50 states for adults. No permit is required for home or professional kitchen use. This is a kitchen tool and is not subject to concealed carry restrictions that apply to fixed-blade outdoor knives in most jurisdictions.

How do I sharpen a Ko-Bunka Damascus knife?

Use a whetstone. Start at 1000 grit to restore a dull edge and finish at 3000 to 6000 grit. Hold the blade at 15 to 17 degrees per side and stroke from heel to tip. Never use a rotary grinder: the heat destroys the temper and damages the Damascus pattern permanently. Use a leather strop weekly to maintain the edge between whetstone sessions.

Can I customize the handle material?

Yes. JW SteelCrafts accepts custom orders. Handle options include rosewood, stag, bone, pakka wood, resin, and olive wood. Contact JW SteelCrafts through the website to discuss your order, including handle color, material, and engraving options.

How long will this Damascus knife last?

Indefinitely with basic care. High carbon Damascus steel does not degrade if kept dry and oiled. The resin handle is waterproof and will not crack or swell with normal use. Hand-forged blades develop better edge-holding over time than stamped blades because the forging process builds grain structure into the steel. Sharpen it correctly and this knife will outlast most kitchen tools you own.

Is this a good gift?

Yes. The USA flag resin handle and Damascus pattern make an immediate impression and the combination does not exist in mass-produced kitchen knives. It works for Father's Day, Independence Day, a military homecoming gift, a culinary graduation, groomsmen, or Christmas. It ships presentation-ready and no extra wrapping is needed.

The Perfect Patriotic Kitchen Gift

This ko bunka damascus knife with USA flag handle is the gift that stops people mid-unbox. The Damascus pattern and bold flag resin handle together in a kitchen knife format do not exist anywhere else. It works for Father's Day, Independence Day, a military homecoming, a culinary graduation, Christmas, or groomsmen who cook. It ships presentation-ready and no extra wrapping is needed.

Explore More from JW SteelCrafts

Browse the full Damascus chef knife collection for matching Gyuto, Santoku, cleaver, and fillet profiles:

Handmade Damascus chef knives

Complete your kitchen setup with a matched Damascus chef knife set:

Damascus chef knife sets

If you want a larger blade with the same USA flag handle, see the Damascus Steel Chef Knife with USA Flag Handle:

Damascus Steel Chef Knife with USA Flag Handle

Add this Ko-Bunka Damascus knife to your kitchen today and get direct shipping from Texas, USA within 5 business days.

 

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 82811209494

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Terry Justice
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
Better than the green goo
Size: Full-size Truck, SUV (2-pack)
Recently, while I was at work, I noticed that I had at some point run over a nail with my car. Normally, you'd take your car to the tire shop and let them plug the hole for you. Well, the only problem was that the nail decided that it was going to poke my tire where the sidewall meets the tread, and most shops will refuse to plug a tire when it's punctured there. Makes sense, it's a liability issue for them, so I can't blame them. That still leaves me with the problem of having a tire with a nail in it. So, I could either replace the tire with either a new or used tire, which is expensive or I can try using a sealant to try and get as many miles out of my tire as I can. In the past, I had tried using the green goo sealant on nail holes, and while it works to get you 15 miles down the road, that's about it. Now, while TireJect doesn't recommend using their product on punctures on the shoulder of the tire, I decided that I'd give it a try to see if it would work. And as of writing this review, it's been about 10 days since I put TireJect in my tire, and so far, it hasn't leaked any air, despite it not being meant for the shoulder. When money isn't so tight, I'll probably go ahead and replace the tire, especially since there's only about 4/32 tread depth left, but for the time being, I'll keep running it, and hopefully it keeps holding pressure properly like it has been. Now, as for how easy it is to use, the only tools you will need that aren't provided, is an air compressor to allow you to re-inflate the tire. The kit comes with everything else you will need, including a valve core removal tool and a syringe to add the sealant to your tire. To use this product, you will first need to carefully remove the valve core with the provided tool, careful not to lose the core, since it doesn't come with a replacement core. After that, thread the hose on the syringe on to your valve stem, and then carefully add the required amount of sealant to the syringe. If you accidentally spill some, wipe it off before it dries, so that it doesn't stain anything. From there, just push the goo into the tire with the plunger, adding more to the syringe as necessary. When you're all done, re-install the valve core into the valve stem snuggly, careful not to over-tighten, and air up the tire to the recommended PSI with your compressor. After all that is done, go take a short, slow drive to distribute the sealant, and then recheck your air pressure.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2025
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Tony Nowikowski
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 1
TPMS Compatability is a LIE
Size: Sedan, Crossover, Small Truck
2018 Subaru Impreza, with one tire with a slow leak (about 2 PSI a week) that I couldn't trace. I bought the "Full-Size Sedan, Small Truck, Crossover" kit (the 6 oz. pouch) based on my tire size, 225/40/18. After I removed the valve core, attached the dispensing hose and opened the cap, the product would not flow into the tire. I squeezed the pouch, but that only made the product leak out around the valve stem onto the wheel and driveway. I tried rotating the tire so the valve stem was at the top, and and also at the bottom. I even took the wheel off so I could get a fully vertical flow. Nothing worked. I finally gave up after only about half the product was dispensed, and I do think most of it went somewhere other than in the tire. I reinstalled the valve core, remounted the wheel, plugged in my little lighter socket-powered compresseor, and tried to inflate the tire. And ... NOTHING. The pressure reading on the compressor immediately shot up to over 100 PSI, and it automatically shut off. Tried multiple times, with the same result. I again removed the valve core, and a) no air came out of the tire when I removed it, and b) even with no valve core the compressor still would not pump air into the tire. Clearly the gunk had completely blocked the valve/TPMS. Fortunately, when I took the tire to Costco (where I'd bought it), they were able to fix the damage I'd done, as well as patching a small nail hole in the tread I hadn't seen (that was clearly the source of the slow leak) for no charge. Since I've already submitted a refund request, ultimately all it really cost me was my time and effort ... and a whole lot of stress.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2024
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raspree56
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
Forget the gooey stuff, this product WORKS! See UPDATES 1 and 2
Size: Compact Car, Mid-size Sedan
I've had a slow leak in one of my tires for some time. It's a common thing with chrome plated alloy wheels, they get corrosion on the bead area where the tire seals and then you get a slow leak. This was the only product which is water soluble so it's not going to make a permanent mess inside the tire; additionally, it contains tiny bits of Tufsyn which is the material some tires are made from. So it's not just a liquid that is sealing the leak, it's tiny bits of rubber. I was putting 5 or 6 lbs of air in my tire every few days, and I could see that the tire was getting low. I installed this TireJect per the instructions a week ago and the tire appears to be doing great, despite the fact that we've had some very cold weather. (I didn't want to check it with a gauge while it was this cold out because just in case the tire's valve didn't seal all the way; I'll check with a gauge when this cold snap is past.) While I can't say for 100% sure that there is no more leak, I suspect that the leak has been sealed up completely. This is a product unlike the others and I think it's worth the price. FIRST UPDATE: It has been two months and I haven't had to add any air at all to the tire where I used this product. There was a slow rim leak which was losing about a pound or so per day and it has been totally fixed. The car has sat for several days a few times, including in single digit cold weather, as well as driven regularly otherwise, and the tire hasn't lost any air. I think it's the micro Tufsyn fibers in this product which seal leaks better than some goopy glue stuff other brands are made of. I totally recommend this product! SECOND UPDATE - it's been eleven months since I added this to my tire with the slow rim leak and I have not had to add air a single time. Not once. THIS STUFF WORKS. Forget the slime and foam and get this.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2024
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Verified Purchase
Jesse
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
TireJECT cannot work miracles
Size: Compact Car, Mid-size Sedan, Size: Compact Car, Mid-size Sedan
TireJECT is a surprisingly thin fluid that supposedly contains fibers that must help stop up holes. Frankly I'm still confused as to how this stuff can plug a leak, but apparently it does. Tons of reviews say so. I say apparently because the product did not completely stop a slow leak in my tire, but that's OK. I knew it likely wouldn't. I'll have to replace the tire unfortunately. I had a garage install four nearly-new tires on my car. After installing, a heavy leak was discovered in one of them. They took the tire off again and found a small tear near the rim/bead of the sidewall. Since the tear would be flat against the rim, they suggested to let them try and repair it with tire patch adhesive and lots of bead sealer. They were confident, so I went for it. It seemed to work, but it went flat a few days later. TireJECT seemed like the perfect solution to the slow leak since I wouldn't have to disturb the repair. I bought the kind without the syringe and regretted it immediately upon trying to use it. First, the valve stem removal tool broke as it loosened it. I had to buy a new tool down the road. When I went to inject, I squeezed as hard as I could but it just wouldn't flow past the TPM. It also kept leaking out of the flex joint of the nozzle. I had a huge syringe on hand, so I sucked up the rest from the bag, ziptied the hose on both ends and got the rest of the product into the tire. HURRAY! The tire pressure had fallen considerably by the next morning. BOOOoo. I contacted TireJECT, and after several emails (and long waits in between). They determined their product was not suitable for my use case. They refunded what I paid without me even asking. I really appreciated that. That said, before injecting, the tire would go flat overnight. So, TireJECT does work to a good degree. I'm half tempted to overdose the tire with another package. Give TireJECT a try! Though, be sure your situation matches their criteria. If you have a TPM, opt for the package that comes with a syringe. You will need it. Also, throw the cast pot metal, tire stem tool out and get a decent machined one before you do the repair. Thank me later.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2025
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Verified Purchase
D. T.
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
Works once again!
Size: Compact Car, Mid-size Sedan
Third time using TireJect on a vehicle, and it's worked perfectly each time. First was the off-road formula for leaking motorcycle tire beads.... then this formula my light SUV with a slow leak until I could get the tire replaced. This was for a stubborn tire that had a leak SOMEWHERE, and usually would lose 10-15 psi overnight after a fill-up. Two days later, still fully inflated and no signs of trouble. This is great because this formulation is also okay for tire pressure sensors. Will continue to purchase this product for similar issues going forward. High quality, durability, and easy to use.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2025

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