Based on the meticulously handcrafted custom knives of master bladesmith Murray Carter, Spyderco’s Murray Carter® Collection showcases five traditional Japanese kitchen knife patterns in three different series. An all-purpose knife suitable for preparing meat, vegetables, and fish, Bunka Bocho literally means “cultural knife,” because of its role in making traditional Japanese cuisine in the home. Closely related to the Santoku (“three virtues”) knife, the Bunka Bocho has a more acute and utilitarian point.  

The Wakiita™ Series Bunka Bocho represents the second tier of the Murray Carter collection. Literally translated as “near the cutting board,” Wakiita (pronounced wah-kee-ee-tah) is a term used to refer to senior apprentices skilled enough to assist high-ranking chefs. The Wakiita Series captures the spirit of the journeyman chef by expressing the Bunka Bocho design with a blade precision ground from CTS® BD1N—a high-carbon, nitrogen-enriched stainless steel that provides a superior balance of hardness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. It is paired with a traditional wa-style (octagonal) handle painstakingly crafted from solid black G-10.

The Minarai™ Series Bunka Bocho knife represents the third tier of the Murray Carter collection. Meaning “to look and learn,” Minarai (pronounced mee-nah-rye) is a quintessentially Japanese way of describing the role of an apprentice. In that spirit, Minarai Series knives showcase an economical format perfectly suited to the needs and budgets of aspiring chefs. The ultra-thin blades of these knives are expertly crafted from solid CTS BD1N and mated with injection-molded polypropylene handles. The handles are molded directly onto the blade tangs and feature the traditional wa-style octagonal configuration. Durable and lightweight, they also give the knives of the Minarai Series an exceptionally lively balance in the hand.