Toyonaga Hamono Funayuki-bocho Honyaki Gingami #3 Stainless 180mm

Funayuki-bocho (舟行き包丁) literally means 'take it on the boat knife', the boat being one place where the one knife you have should be capable of doing pretty much anything you need to do with it. In that sense this funayuki can be thought of as a step up from the bannou, santoku and bunka - similar applications but single-bevel, pointier, arguably sharper. Strange to say but it is considered a more masculine knife (fishing boats are traditionally a male domain, after all). Pro-level sharpening requirements, so consider that.

We'd confidently call this particular funayuki low-maintenance, however. Yes it will need to be sharpened on a stone but at least it won't turn brown in a hurry. Toyonaga Hamono is one of only two knife makers in Japan producing honyaki knives in gingami #3 stainless. It's not easy to do, but the results speak for themselves. Beautiful presentation, wonderful cutting feel, and rust resistance that's further bolstered by the amazing mirror finish.

A quick note on the ebony handle. The example we have used for our photographs features rare white buffalo horn (the luxury never seems to end). No guarantees there, as time goes on it's highly likely your Toyonaga funayuki-bocho will have a black horn/ebony combination for the handle. Comparable quality, black-on-black. Something more like this.

Please note that the 180mm funayuki is available in its kasumi variant with the same mirror-finish and ebony handle at $467.60.