articles

Crowbars to Kitchen Knives? Stunning Blades from Toshihiro Wakui

Crowbars to Kitchen Knives? Stunning Blades fro...

The region of Tsubame-Sanjo, in Niigata, is renowned for its metalworking industry: stainless cutlery, pots and pans, kitchen knives, carpentry tools, and almost anything else you can imagine. Only 10%...

Crowbars to Kitchen Knives? Stunning Blades fro...

The region of Tsubame-Sanjo, in Niigata, is renowned for its metalworking industry: stainless cutlery, pots and pans, kitchen knives, carpentry tools, and almost anything else you can imagine. Only 10%...

Blacksmith Profile: Kisuke Manaka-san

Blacksmith Profile: Kisuke Manaka-san

There are many hidden, unknown and remote blacksmiths in Japan. Once upon a time, Kisuke Manaka-san was one of them.  I first discovered his beautiful works of knife art on his Instagram...

Blacksmith Profile: Kisuke Manaka-san

There are many hidden, unknown and remote blacksmiths in Japan. Once upon a time, Kisuke Manaka-san was one of them.  I first discovered his beautiful works of knife art on his Instagram...

Sakai Takayuki Sanpo: The Future of Sakai Knife Making

Sakai Takayuki Sanpo: The Future of Sakai Knife...

In recent decades, Japan's traditional industries have been facing a succession problem. In Japan, skills and techniques have traditionally been passed down through the centuries from parent to child. However,...

Sakai Takayuki Sanpo: The Future of Sakai Knife...

In recent decades, Japan's traditional industries have been facing a succession problem. In Japan, skills and techniques have traditionally been passed down through the centuries from parent to child. However,...

Yusuke Obi of Sadamasa Hamono: Reviving a Century of Family Knifemaking

Yusuke Obi of Sadamasa Hamono: Reviving a Centu...

Though I’ve worked with Japanese knives for a good 15 years, I’m still regularly impressed with the knives we get from new makers. While I’m regularly impressed, I am very...

Yusuke Obi of Sadamasa Hamono: Reviving a Centu...

Though I’ve worked with Japanese knives for a good 15 years, I’m still regularly impressed with the knives we get from new makers. While I’m regularly impressed, I am very...

Tadataka Maruyama of Hado Knives, One of Japan's Best Knife Sharpeners

Tadataka Maruyama of Hado Knives, One of Japan'...

Sakai is quite possibly the best-known region for Japanese knives by folks who live outside of Japan. You can learn all about how things work in Sakai in this article....

Tadataka Maruyama of Hado Knives, One of Japan'...

Sakai is quite possibly the best-known region for Japanese knives by folks who live outside of Japan. You can learn all about how things work in Sakai in this article....

Nigara Hamono: 350 Years of Blade-Smithing Mastery

Nigara Hamono: 350 Years of Blade-Smithing Mastery

When folks in the west think of Japan, many of them immediately picture a samurai wielding a shiny hand-forged sword. While this can certainly be a stereotype, these handmade swords...

Nigara Hamono: 350 Years of Blade-Smithing Mastery

When folks in the west think of Japan, many of them immediately picture a samurai wielding a shiny hand-forged sword. While this can certainly be a stereotype, these handmade swords...