Collection: Masashi Kaijin

Masashi-san started his own workshop in 2013 after learning the family trade alongside his older brother Kazuomi at Yoshikane Hamono. Despite his young age, Masashi makes a beautifully polished and crazy sharp blade and can make his steel harder than other makers through unique heat-treating processes.

The name Kaijin translates to 'Ash', inspired by the ash in his workshop and tobacco ash from his trademark cigarettes. The VS1 steel can take an exceptionally sharp edge and hold it longer than most Japanese knives, with a bit less brittleness than most uber-hard blades. Tochi wood is a beautifully simple accent as a handle, in a grippy octagon shape that's a favourite of staff and customers alike.