Suisin INOX Honyaki

Close-up view

Junro Aoki-san

These are the Japanese knives of the future. Really. Thin and light is an understatement, these are ridiculously thin and light. Capable of extreme sharpness and a breeze to re-sharpen, these blades feel like a scalpel for the kitchen. In fact they are so light you may think they are a flimsy joke, but you would be dead wrong. These are probably the most precise knives I’ve ever used. I’ve often said they cut like a laser and no one has ever challenged that claim. Wow.

In 1990 Junro Aoki, the second son of the Aoki Knife Craft family, was eager to step apart from his family to create his own modern knife brand. During the twenty years he spent learning his craft, the young and energetic knife craftsman dreamed of someday creating knives that would combine the traditional qualities of Sakai-style knife-crafting techniques with more modern designs. He used a scalpel as his muse for this series of knives.

In 1990 Junro Aoki, created the Suisin collection of knives. Aoki-san studied with some of Japan’s foremost kitchen knife makers for 20 years before designing these knives that combine excellent craftsmanship and a more modern design. Suisin knives are hand crafted in Sakai, just outside of Osaka and each is hand sharpened for maximum performance before leaving the workshop.

Suisin INOX Honyaki knives are made with SANDVIK 19C27 steel. With proper sharpening technique the sharpness can equal the silky feel of carbon steel knives. The blades are stainless therefore no need to worry about oxidizing. With their extreme lightness these knives feel like the Japanese knives of the future. Thin means sharp and these are in supermodel territory.

The handle is made of Ichii wood (more durable than the traditional Ho wood) and water buffalo horn. This type of handle creates a knife with overall lightness and a blade forward balance. I love a light knife as one does not become fatigued with heavy use.