5-Piece Knife Set - Retro Series (PM8S)

This is the essential trio for any serious cook. We’ve carefully selected three indispensable blades—the all-purpose chef knife, the versatile utility knife, and the precision paring knife—to create a perfectly balanced set. It’s the ideal starter kit or a comprehensive upgrade for your daily prep.

Your Essential Trio

This set combines the three knives you'll reach for every single day:

• The 8.5" Chef Knife: Your new go-to. This is the ultimate all-rounder, perfectly shaped for 90% of your kitchen tasks, from chopping vegetables to slicing meat.
• The 5.9" Utility Knife: The perfect mid-sized knife for smaller tasks like trimming and slicing fruits, vegetables, and cheeses.
• The 3.5" Paring Knife: An extension of your hand, designed for all the in-hand, precision jobs where a big chef knife is just too clumsy.

High-Performance Steel

The blade's secret is its 3-layer composite steel. At its core is a high-performance 10Cr15CoMoV steel, vacuum heat-treated to 60±2 HRC. This hardness allows for a screaming-sharp edge and incredible edge retention. The outer layers are made of softer SUS410 stainless steel, providing added durability and corrosion resistance.

Classic Styling

The Retro Series features a classic octagonal handle made from premium red wood (rosewood) and black buffalo horn. This ergonomic design provides a comfortable and secure grip, even when wet.

Specifications:

• Blade Material: 3-layer 10Cr15CoMoV composite steel
• Handle Material: Red wood (rosewood) + black buffalo horn
• HRC: 60-62
• Chef Knife Length: 8.5 inches
• Utility Knife Length: 5.9 inches
• Paring Knife Length: 3.5 inches
• Chef Knife Weight: 181g
• Construction: Full tang (inferred)
• Edge Angle: 15°±1° per side
• Heat Treatment: Vacuum deep-cooling
• Finish: Stonewashed with hamon line

Complete Your Set

Expand your collection with other knives from the HEZHEN Retro Series. From bread knives to boning knives, we have the perfect blade for every task.

This is the workhorse of your kitchen, reimagined with timeless style. The 8.5-inch Chef Knife is the ultimate all-rounder, the one knife you will reach for daily. Its classic Western profile features a gentle curve, perfect for "rock-chopping" herbs, slicing proteins, and dicing vegetables with ease.

High-Performance Steel, Classic Feel

At its heart is a high-performance 10Cr15CoMoV steel core, vacuum heat-treated to 60-62 HRC. This hard-cutting core takes a razor-sharp edge and holds it, giving you precise, effortless cuts long after other knives have gone dull. The outer layers of softer steel add durability and corrosion resistance.

The "Retro" series is defined by its stunning, octagonal handle. Crafted from a classic combination of deep red wood and genuine black buffalo horn, it’s designed for an incredibly comfortable, secure grip, giving you confident and precise control over every cut.

• Blade Steel: 3-Layer 10Cr15CoMoV Composite Steel Core
• Hardness: ~60–62 HRC (Vacuum Heat Treated)
• Blade Profile: 8.5-inch all-purpose chef knife
• Handle: Red Wood & Black Buffalo Horn (Octagonal)
• Use: Your go-to for all daily chopping, slicing, and dicing.
• Series: Retro (PM8S)
• Model: PM8S-CS

Complete Your Core Set

Pair with the Retro 7" Santoku and Retro 8" Bread Knife for a complete daily prep trio.

Stop crushing your beautiful, crusty loaves. This 8.5-inch serrated bread knife is engineered to glide through the toughest crusts and the softest crumbs with equal grace. It’s the key to perfect, clean slices, every single time.

The Perfect Slice, Every Time

This blade's specialized serrations are designed to grip the surface of hard artisan loaves and gently saw through, leaving the airy, soft interior perfectly intact. It’s also your secret weapon for delicate items like soft cakes, pastries, and ripe tomatoes, giving you perfect slices with zero tearing.

Performance Meets Elegance

At its heart is a high-performance 10Cr15CoMoV steel core, vacuum heat-treated to 60±2 HRC. This ensures the serrated points stay sharp and effective far longer than on a typical knife. But the "Retro" series is all about the handle. Crafted from a classic combination of deep red wood and genuine black buffalo horn, the stunning octagonal handle provides a secure, comfortable grip and timeless, elegant control.

• Blade Steel: 3-Layer 10Cr15CoMoV Composite Steel Core
• Blade Profile: 8.5-inch serrated
• Hardness: 60±2 HRC (Vacuum Heat Treated)
• Handle: Red Wood & Black Buffalo Horn (Octagonal)
• Use: Perfect for artisan loaves, sourdough, brioche, soft cakes, and tomatoes.
• Series: Retro (PM8S)
• Model: PM8S-MB

Complete Your Collection

Pair with the Retro 8 inch Chef Knife and Retro 7 inch Santoku for a versatile everyday set.

The Hezhen PM8S 8.5-inch Bunka Knife is a beautifully crafted tool designed for precision and versatility in the kitchen. Ideal for a range of tasks from slicing and dicing to intricate cuts, this Bunka knife combines traditional design with modern technology to deliver exceptional performance.

Key Features:

• High-Quality Blade Material: The blade is constructed from 3 layers of 10Cr15CoMoV composite steel, renowned for its superior sharpness, durability, and resistance to corrosion. This ensures a long-lasting, razor-sharp edge that maintains its performance over time.
• Balanced Hardness: With a hardness rating of 60±1 HRC, the blade offers a perfect balance of sharpness and toughness, making it suitable for both delicate and heavy-duty cutting tasks.
• Elegant Handle: The handle is made from red wood and black buffalo horn, providing a blend of sophistication and ergonomic comfort. It is designed to offer a secure grip, enhancing control and reducing hand fatigue during prolonged use.
• Advanced Heat Treatment: The blade undergoes vacuum heat treatment followed by deep freezing, which improves its hardness and ensures enduring sharpness and stability.

Specifications:

• Blade Material: 3 Layers 10Cr15CoMoV Composite Steel
• Handle Material: Red Wood + Black Buffalo Horn
• Hardness: 60±1 HRC
• Heat Treatment: Vacuum Heat + Deep Freeze
• Blade Length: 8.5 inches
• Product Code: PM8S

The Hezhen PM8S 8.5-inch Bunka Knife combines exceptional craftsmanship with high-performance materials, offering a versatile and reliable tool for all your kitchen cutting needs.

The Hezhen PM8S 5 piece set is perfect for delicate tasks such as peeling, trimming, and intricate cutting. With its refined design and high-quality materials, this knife set is an essential addition to any kitchen.

Key Features:

• Superior Blade Material: The blade is crafted from 3 layers of 10Cr15CoMoV composite steel, offering excellent sharpness, durability, and corrosion resistance. This ensures precise cutting and a long-lasting edge.
• Optimal Hardness: With a hardness rating of 60±1 HRC, the blade is finely balanced to provide both sharpness and resilience, making it ideal for detailed work.
• Elegant Handle: The handle combines the beauty of red wood with the strength of black buffalo horn, offering a comfortable and secure grip. Its ergonomic design ensures maximum control during use.
• Advanced Heat Treatment: The blade undergoes vacuum heat treatment followed by deep freezing, which enhances its hardness and ensures long-lasting sharpness and stability.

Specifications:

• Blade Material: 3 Layers 10Cr15CoMoV Composite Steel
• Handle Material: Red Wood + Black Buffalo Horn
• Hardness: 60±1 HRC
• Heat Treatment: Vacuum Heat + Deep Freeze
• Blade Length: 3.5 inches

Box content:

• 1pc 8 inch Bunka/Chef knife 
• 1pc 6 inch utility knife 
• 1pc 7 inch santoku knife 
• 1pc 6.8 inch nakiri knife 
• 1pc wooden holder

When you're setting up a kitchen from scratch, or replacing the block set that's been quietly losing its edge for years, this is the one to reach for. Seven pieces: five knives for every cutting motion you'll use, plus kitchen scissors and a solid wooden holder to keep everything accessible on the bench.

What's in the Set

• 8.5" Chef Knife: The daily anchor. Curved belly for rock-chopping a pile of onions down to nothing, long enough to break down a whole chicken without repositioning.
• 8.5" Bread Knife: Serrated for gripping crusts without tearing. Sourdough, brioche, and ripe heirloom tomatoes all come away in clean slices.
• 7" Santoku Knife: The push-cut specialist with a flat belly. Shaves zucchini into paper-thin coins, dices capsicum fast, and handles fish fillets without dragging.
• 6" Utility Knife: The in-between blade for jobs where the chef knife is too much. Trim silverskin off a pork fillet, halve a peach, slice a small block of cheese without the bulk.
• 4" Paring Knife: The in-hand blade. Peel apples, devein prawns, segment citrus, or score the skin on a duck breast before it goes in the pan.
• Kitchen Scissors: Spring-loaded and full-featured. Break down spatchcock poultry, snip fresh herbs straight over the pan, or cut pizza without dragging toppings.
• Wooden Holder: An open-bottomed block that keeps the set on the bench and the edges clear of drawer contact.

3-Layer Steel, One Shared Core

Every blade in the set is built on the same foundation: a 10Cr15CoMoV high-carbon steel core sandwiched in two outer layers of softer stainless. Vacuum heat-treated to 60-62 HRC, the core takes a keen edge and holds it through extended sessions. That hardness is what you pay for. The outer layers add corrosion resistance, so the knives don't demand the obsessive dry-and-oil routine that a purely carbon blade requires.

The Retro Handle

The octagonal shape is what separates this series from every other handle on the market. Deep red wood paired with genuine black buffalo horn at the collar. It's a traditional Japanese profile that locks in your grip whether you're pinching the blade for control or wrapping the full hand around for a power cut. Full tang through to the end cap. No rattle, no flex, no hot spots after a long session.

Specifications

• Blade Steel: 3-Layer 10Cr15CoMoV Composite Steel Core
• Hardness: 60-62 HRC (Vacuum Heat Treated)
• Blade Profile: 7-piece set: 8.5" Chef + 8.5" Bread + 7" Santoku + 6" Utility + 4" Paring + Kitchen Scissors + Wooden Holder
• Handle: Red Wood & Black Buffalo Horn (Octagonal), full tang
• Use: A complete daily prep lineup covering all cutting tasks from large proteins to fine in-hand work, with serrated and scissor capability included.
• Series: Retro Series (PM8S)
• Model: PM8S-H7

Complete Your Set

If you want to extend the block, the Retro 10" Carving Knife (PM8S-10QR) is the right addition for large roasts and holiday proteins where the chef knife's length runs short. For the vegetable half of your prep, the Retro 7" Nakiri (PM8S-XC) adds a dedicated flat-grind chopper to your counter.

If you love salads, stir-frys, or soup prep, the Nakiri will quickly become your favorite tool. With its straight edge and flat, squared-off tip, this Japanese-style blade is designed for one thing: push-cutting vegetables without them clinging together like an accordion.

The Push-Cut Specialist

Unlike a curved chef knife that rocks, the Nakiri is designed to make full contact with the cutting board. This allows for clean, precise vertical chops through greens, carrots, and onions, keeping everything neat and tidy. The 7-inch blade provides ample surface area for efficient chopping, while remaining nimble enough for smaller tasks.

High-Performance Steel

The blade's secret is its 3-layer composite steel. At its core is a high-performance 10Cr15CoMoV steel, vacuum heat-treated to 60±1 HRC. This hardness allows for a screaming-sharp edge that lasts, while the softer outer layers provide durability and stain resistance. The result is a blade that's both a joy to use and easy to maintain.

Specifications:

• Blade Length: 7 inches (178mm)
• Blade Material: 3-layer 10Cr15CoMoV composite steel
• Handle Material: Red wood + black buffalo horn
• HRC: 60±1
• Weight: Approximately 181g
• Edge Angle: 15°±1° per side

Complete Your Set

Pair your Retro Series Nakiri with our Retro Series Chef Knife and Paring Knife for a complete and stylish kitchen set.

Reach for this when a full 7-inch santoku is too much knife for the job. Halving cherry tomatoes, slicing a single capsicum, trimming herbs off the stem, or prepping a small bowl of shallots - these are jobs where the shorter length actually helps. You're not fighting extra blade weight, and the flat belly stays in full contact with the board through the cut.

Compact Length, Same Santoku Geometry

The 5.5-inch length puts this in the same category as a utility knife, but the profile is pure santoku: nearly flat belly and no tip curve to push produce away on the downstroke. That flat belly is what you want when you're shaving zucchini into thin coins or running through a bunch of spring onions without the forward tip of a chef knife pushing the food away. Lighter in the hand than its 7-inch sibling, it's also the knife that works well for smaller hands or tighter prep spaces.

Retro Handle, Familiar Foundation

The blade is 3-layer 10Cr15CoMoV composite steel - hard high-carbon core with two flanking layers of softer stainless for corrosion resistance - vacuum heat-treated to 60-62 HRC. It holds a keen edge without the brittleness of a single-steel hard blade. The octagonal Red Wood handle with genuine black buffalo horn collar matches the rest of the Retro Series, so it sits naturally alongside the larger knives in the block.

Specifications

• Blade Steel: 3-Layer 10Cr15CoMoV Composite Steel
• Hardness: 60-62 HRC (Vacuum Heat Treated)
• Blade Profile: 5.5-inch Santoku
• Handle: Red Wood & Black Buffalo Horn (Octagonal), full tang
• Use: Quick vegetable prep, slicing soft produce like tomatoes and mushrooms, and any push-cut task where a shorter, lighter blade is the better choice.
• Series: Retro Series (PM8S)
• Model: PM8S-5.5RS

Complete Your Set

Pair it with the Retro 7" Santoku (PM8S-RS) when you need extra reach for larger produce, or the Retro 8.5" Chef Knife (PM8S-CS) for the rock-chopping tasks where this flat santoku profile isn't the right tool.

Most nights you only need two knives. This pair covers them: the Retro Series Chef Knife for everything on the board, and the Utility Knife for the tasks where a full 8.5 inches is too much blade. It's a lean, gift-ready starting point for the Retro Series, with no filler pieces you'll leave in a drawer.

What's in the Set

• 8.5" Chef Knife: The daily anchor. Curved belly for rock-chopping a pile of onions down to nothing, long enough to break down a whole chicken without repositioning.
• 5" Utility Knife: The in-between blade. Cherry tomatoes that roll away from a big blade, silverskin on a pork fillet, a peach you want halved cleanly - this is the knife for that middle tier of jobs.

3-Layer Steel, One Shared Core

Both blades are built on the same foundation: a 10Cr15CoMoV high-carbon steel core sandwiched in two outer layers of softer stainless. Vacuum heat-treated to 60-62 HRC, the core takes a keen edge and holds it through extended sessions. The outer layers add corrosion resistance, so neither knife demands the obsessive dry-and-oil routine that a purely carbon blade requires.

The Retro Handle

The octagonal shape is what separates this series from everything else on the market. Deep red wood paired with genuine black buffalo horn at the collar. It's a traditional Japanese profile that locks in your grip whether you're pinching the blade for control or wrapping the full hand around for a power cut. Full tang on both knives. No rattle, no flex, no hot spots after a long session.

Specifications

• Blade Steel: 3-Layer 10Cr15CoMoV Composite Steel
• Hardness: 60-62 HRC (Vacuum Heat Treated)
• Blade Profile: 2-piece set: 8.5" Chef + 5" Utility
• Handle: Red Wood & Black Buffalo Horn (Octagonal), full tang
• Use: A two-knife daily prep lineup covering everything from large proteins and rock-chopping to mid-range trimming and slicing tasks.
• Series: Retro Series (PM8S)
• Model: PM8S-A2C

Complete Your Set

Add the Retro 7" Santoku (PM8S-RS) for dedicated push-cut vegetable work, or the Retro 4" Paring Knife (PM8S-SG) for in-hand jobs like peeling and trimming where neither of these blades is the right size.

This is the blade you'll use for all the small, delicate tasks. The 4-inch paring knife is an extension of your hand, designed for all the in-hand, precision jobs where a big chef knife is just too clumsy. It's an indispensable tool for detailed prep work.

Your Precision Specialist

Reach for this nimble blade for peeling apples, hulling strawberries, coring tomatoes, or creating delicate garnishes. Its sharp, precise tip gives you complete control for trimming fat, deveining shrimp, or scoring dough. It's the small knife that does a thousand-and-one jobs.

Performance Meets Classic Style

At its heart is a high-performance 10Cr15CoMoV steel core, vacuum heat-treated to 60-62 HRC. This hard-cutting core takes a razor-sharp edge and holds it, giving you precise, effortless cuts. The stunning, octagonal "Retro" handle is crafted from a classic combination of deep red wood and genuine black buffalo horn, providing a secure, comfortable grip for total control.

• Blade Steel: 3-Layer 10Cr15CoMoV Composite Steel Core
• Hardness: ~60–62 HRC (Vacuum Heat Treated)
• Blade Profile: 4-inch paring knife
• Handle: Red Wood & Black Buffalo Horn (Octagonal)
• Use: Ideal for in-hand peeling, trimming, garnishes, and detailed cuts.
• Series: Retro (PM8S)
• Model: PM8S-SG

Complete Your Core Set

Pair with the Retro 8" Chef Knife and 7" Santoku for a complete daily prep set.

This is the knife you bring to the table. Designed for perfect, show-stopping presentation, this 10-inch carving knife glides through large roasts, briskets, and holiday turkeys in one single, smooth stroke. Stop sawing at your beautiful roast; this is how you get clean, effortless, wafer-thin slices every time.

High-Performance Steel

The blade's secret is its 3-layer composite steel. At its core is a high-performance 10Cr15CoMoV steel, vacuum heat-treated to 60±2 HRC. This hard-cutting core takes a razor-sharp edge and holds it, giving you precise, clean cuts long after other knives have gone dull. The outer layers of softer steel add durability and corrosion resistance.

Classic Feel, Total Control

A "Retro" knife is all about the feel. The stunning, octagonal handle is crafted from a classic combination of deep red wood and genuine black buffalo horn. This traditional shape is not just for looks—it provides an incredibly comfortable, secure grip, giving you confident and precise control over every single pass.

• Blade Steel: 3-Layer 10Cr15CoMoV Composite Steel Core
• Hardness: 60±2 HRC (Vacuum Heat Treated)
• Blade Profile: 10-inch carving profile
• Handle: Red Wood & Black Buffalo Horn (Octagonal)
• Use: Ideal for roasts, brisket, ham, turkey, and large proteins.
• Series: Retro (PM8S)
• Model: PM8S-10QR

Complete Your Carving Set

Pair with the Retro 8" Chef Knife and Retro 8" Bread Knife for a complete carving and serving set.

Reach for this when the task is slicing rather than rocking. The reverse-tanto tip punches through the heel end of a salmon fillet, a daikon, or a block of firm tofu without the tip snagging - then the long, nearly flat belly carries straight through in a clean push cut. It's a different cutting motion to your chef knife, and once you've used it for that style of work, you won't want to go back to the curve.

The Bunka Profile, Built for Push Cutting

A bunka is a Japanese all-purpose knife with a flat-to-slightly-curved belly and a reverse-tanto tip that angles upward sharply at the point. That geometry rewards a push cut more than a rock chop. Use it for shaving fennel paper-thin, slicing raw fish for a quick crudo, or breaking down a whole red cabbage into even strips without the tipped belly snagging on the board. The 8-inch length gives you enough reach to work through a whole chicken breast in two or three strokes instead of five.

3-Layer Steel in a Knife Built to Last

The blade is 3-layer 10Cr15CoMoV composite: a hard high-carbon core flanked by two outer layers of softer stainless for corrosion resistance. Vacuum heat-treated to 60-62 HRC, the core holds a fine edge through a full session of push-cutting without the brittleness you'd get from a single-steel hard blade. The octagonal Red Wood handle with genuine black buffalo horn collar gives you a reliable pinch grip whether you're using it light-handed for fish or with more force on a butternut.

Specifications

• Blade Steel: 3-Layer 10Cr15CoMoV Composite Steel
• Hardness: 60-62 HRC (Vacuum Heat Treated)
• Blade Profile: 8-inch Bunka, reverse-tanto tip
• Handle: Red Wood & Black Buffalo Horn (Octagonal), full tang
• Use: Push-cutting vegetables, slicing raw fish and firm proteins, and any task where a flat-bellied blade with a sharp tip is faster than a rocking chef knife.
• Series: Retro Series (PM8S)
• Model: PM8S-10QFD

Complete Your Set

Pair it with the Retro 8.5" Chef Knife (PM8S-CS) for rock-chopping tasks where this flat profile runs short, and the Retro 7" Santoku (PM8S-RS) for lighter push-cut vegetable work when you don't need the full length.

Reach for this when a whole salmon fillet is on the board and every slice needs to lift away clean, in one long pulling stroke. The Sakimaru is a Japanese slicer with a rounded, katana-style tip, and the geometry is built entirely around that draw cut. HEZHEN sharpens this one as a modern double bevel at 15 degrees per side, which opens it past traditional sashimi work into any long-slicing task you put in front of it.

The Sakimaru Profile in the Retro Series

A sakimaru has a mostly flat belly and a tip that sweeps gently upward rather than ending in a point. That curve is what lets you start a long slice through soft flesh without the point digging in and tearing. This one has enough length to carry through a whole tuna loin or a cold roast in a single stroke, which is exactly how a slicer should work. It's also the shape that makes thin, even cuts across a cooked brisket or a glazed ham look deliberate rather than accidental.

3-Layer Steel in a Long-Edge Format

The blade is 3-layer 10Cr15CoMoV composite: a hard high-carbon core flanked by two layers of softer stainless. Vacuum heat-treated to 60-62 HRC, it takes a very fine edge and holds it through a full carving session, where a softer slicer would start tearing flesh by the tenth pass. The Retro Series' octagonal Red Wood handle with genuine black buffalo horn collar sits naturally in a pinch grip for the controlled draw cut this knife is built for.

Specifications

• Blade Steel: 3-Layer 10Cr15CoMoV Composite Steel
• Hardness: 60-62 HRC (Vacuum Heat Treated)
• Blade Profile: 8.5-inch Sakimaru (double bevel, 15 degrees per side)
• Handle: Red Wood & Black Buffalo Horn (Octagonal), full tang
• Use: Long pulling slices through raw fish and sashimi, and carving cooked proteins like roast, ham, and brisket into wafer-thin slices.
• Series: Retro Series (PM8S)
• Model: PM8S-XWD

Complete Your Set

Pair it with the Retro 8.5" Chef Knife (PM8S-CS) for the bulk of daily prep, and the Retro 7" Santoku (PM8S-RS) for the vegetable half of the session where this long slicing profile is the wrong tool entirely.

This is the set to reach for when you're stocking a kitchen properly for the first time, or putting together a gift box that'll actually get used. Five knives from the Retro Series, each one built on the same 3-layer steel and the same octagonal handle, covering every regular cutting motion from rock-chopping to push-cutting to fine in-hand work.

What's in the Set

• 8.5" Chef Knife: The daily anchor. Curved belly for rock-chopping onions, breaking down a whole chicken, or working through a pile of garlic and ginger without the blade slowing you down.
• 8.5" Bread Knife: Serrated for gripping crusts without tearing. Sourdough, brioche, and ripe heirloom tomatoes all come away in clean slices.
• 7" Santoku: The push-cut specialist. Flat profile shines when you're slicing zucchini into even coins, dicing capsicum, or shaving radish paper-thin.
• 5" Utility Knife: The in-between blade. Trim silverskin off a pork fillet, halve a peach, slice a small block of cheese without reaching for the chef knife.
• 4" Paring Knife: The in-hand blade. Peel apples, devein prawns, segment citrus, or score a duck breast before it goes in the pan.

3-Layer Steel, One Shared Core

Every blade in the set is built on the same foundation: a 10Cr15CoMoV high-carbon steel core sandwiched in two outer layers of softer stainless. Vacuum heat-treated to 60-62 HRC, the core takes a keen edge and holds it through extended sessions. The outer layers add corrosion resistance, so the knives don't demand the obsessive dry-and-oil routine that a purely carbon blade requires.

The Retro Handle

The octagonal shape is what separates this series from every other handle on the market. Deep red wood paired with genuine black buffalo horn at the collar. It's a traditional Japanese profile that locks in your grip whether you're pinching the blade for control or wrapping the full hand around for a power cut. Full tang on every knife. No rattle, no flex, no hot spots after a long session.

Specifications

• Blade Steel: 3-Layer 10Cr15CoMoV Composite Steel
• Hardness: 60-62 HRC (Vacuum Heat Treated)
• Blade Profile: 5-piece set: 8.5" Chef + 8.5" Bread + 7" Santoku + 5" Utility + 4" Paring
• Handle: Red Wood & Black Buffalo Horn (Octagonal), full tang
• Use: A complete daily prep lineup covering rock-chopping, bread slicing, push-cutting, and in-hand detail work.
• Series: Retro Series (PM8S)
• Model: PM8S-A5C

Complete Your Set

Extend the collection with the Retro 7" Nakiri (PM8S-XC) for a dedicated flat-grind vegetable chopper, or the Retro 10" Carving Knife (PM8S-10QR) for large roasts and holiday proteins where the chef knife runs short.

Reach for this when you want the bunka profile in a size that suits lighter work. At 5.8 inches, it handles the mid-tier prep jobs - slicing mushrooms, dicing a small block of firm tofu, prepping a single fennel bulb - without the weight and reach of the larger bunka. The reverse-tanto tip punches through the surface cleanly, and the flat belly keeps full board contact on every push cut.

A Petite Bunka for Precise Work

The petite size isn't just a scaled-down version of the longer knife. At this length it works better for in-close tasks where you want to feel exactly what the blade is doing. Thin-slicing a raw fish fillet, halving a block of mozzarella, or running through a punnet of mushrooms quickly are all jobs where this size outperforms a longer, heavier blade. It's also a good match for a smaller cutting board or a compact kitchen where a full 8-inch knife feels unwieldy.

Same Steel, Same Handle as the Rest of the Series

The blade is 3-layer 10Cr15CoMoV composite - hard core with corrosion-resistant outer layers - vacuum heat-treated to 60-62 HRC. It holds a very fine edge and responds well to a strop when you want it back to shaving sharp. The octagonal Red Wood handle with genuine black buffalo horn collar is the same profile as every other Retro Series knife, so the grip is already familiar if you've used a larger piece in the collection.

Specifications

• Blade Steel: 3-Layer 10Cr15CoMoV Composite Steel
• Hardness: 60-62 HRC (Vacuum Heat Treated)
• Blade Profile: 5.8-inch Bunka, reverse-tanto tip
• Handle: Red Wood & Black Buffalo Horn (Octagonal), full tang
• Use: Precise push-cut work on mushrooms, fish, soft vegetables, and small produce where a shorter bunka gives better control than a longer blade.
• Series: Retro Series (PM8S)
• Model: PM8S-6QF

Complete Your Set

Pair it with the Retro 8.5" Bunka (PM8S-QFD) when you need the same profile with more reach for larger cuts, and the Retro 8.5" Chef Knife (PM8S-CS) for the rock-chopping tasks this flat bunka profile isn't built for.

Reach for this when you want a chef knife that handles like it belongs in your hand, not one that you're accommodating. At 8.5 inches it's got enough length for a whole chicken or a large butternut, but the handle geometry is what makes it different. The octagonal profile of the Retro Series locks your grip precisely, whether you're choking up on the blade for detailed work or wrapping the full hand around for a power cut through dense root vegetables.

Chef Knife Utility, Retro Series Precision

This is the knife you'll use for 90 percent of your weeknight prep. Rock-chop a pile of onions for a Sunday ragu, butterfly a chicken breast, slice roma tomatoes without the seeds squashing out, or work through a pile of garlic and ginger without reaching for anything else. The curved belly lets you rock through softer produce fast, and the length carries through denser cuts without the blade losing momentum. It covers everything that lands on a weeknight cutting board without needing a second knife for backup.

3-Layer Steel on a Knife Built for Daily Use

The blade is 3-layer 10Cr15CoMoV composite steel - a hard high-carbon core flanked by two outer layers of softer stainless. Vacuum heat-treated to 60-62 HRC, the core takes a fine edge and holds it through a full session without brittleness. The octagonal Red Wood handle with genuine black buffalo horn collar stays comfortable through extended prep. Full tang from tip to butt means the balance sits right on your pinch grip, not rocking forward into the blade.

Specifications

• Blade Steel: 3-Layer 10Cr15CoMoV Composite Steel
• Hardness: 60-62 HRC (Vacuum Heat Treated)
• Blade Profile: 8.5-inch chef knife
• Handle: Red Wood & Black Buffalo Horn (Octagonal), full tang
• Use: Your daily driver for rock-chopping herbs and aromatics, breaking down proteins, slicing vegetables, and anything else that lands on a weeknight cutting board.
• Series: Retro Series (PM8S)
• Model: PM8S-DY

Complete Your Set

Pair it with the Retro 7" Santoku (PM8S-RS) for the push-cut vegetable prep this curved belly isn't ideal for, and the Retro 4" Paring Knife (PM8S-SG) for in-hand jobs where this 8.5-incher is too much knife.

Reach for this when the chef knife is too much. Cherry tomatoes that roll away from a big blade, silverskin on a pork fillet, a peach you want halved cleanly without the pit dragging the flesh apart - this is the knife for that middle tier of jobs. It sits between paring knife territory and full utility length, with enough belly to slice and enough control to trim.

The Right Size for the Job

Most kitchens have a chef knife and a parer and a gap in between where neither feels right. The utility knife fills that gap. It's nimble enough to work close to the board for deveining prawns or slicing a block of halloumi, but long enough to break down a mango or trim the fat cap off a lamb rack without fighting the curve of the blade. The thin profile keeps it from wedging in soft produce the way a thicker chef knife will.

Same Steel, Same Handle, Ready to Match

The blade is 3-layer 10Cr15CoMoV composite: a hard high-carbon core vacuum heat-treated to 60-62 HRC, flanked by two layers of softer stainless for corrosion resistance. It holds a fine edge without the brittleness you'd get from a single-steel hard blade. The octagonal Red Wood handle with genuine black buffalo horn collar is the same profile as every other knife in the Retro Series, so it pairs cleanly on the bench or in the block.

Specifications

• Blade Steel: 3-Layer 10Cr15CoMoV Composite Steel
• Hardness: 60-62 HRC (Vacuum Heat Treated)
• Blade Profile: 5-inch utility knife
• Handle: Red Wood & Black Buffalo Horn (Octagonal), full tang
• Use: Trimming silverskin, halving cherry tomatoes, slicing soft cheese, and any mid-range task where the chef knife feels oversized.
• Series: Retro Series (PM8S)
• Model: PM8S-WY

Complete Your Set

Pair it with the Retro 8.5" Chef Knife (PM8S-CS) for the heavy daily prep, and the Retro 7" Santoku (PM8S-RS) for dedicated push-cut vegetable work. The three cover everything from proteins to fine slicing without overlap.