Bunka knives are one of the few versatile traditional Japanese blades and are suitable for use as both slicing knives and paring knives. These sword-shaped knives are characterized by a straight and wide blade and have a longer blade length than many other knives, allowing for effortless cutting of vegetables, fish and meat. The user should have advanced skills in handling traditional Japanese knives to make the most of the unique bunka design. Traditionally, these knives are often used by chefs as a sign of their status.