Japan has a long tradition of knife making. And it is a tradition that is not limited to a single region, for example in Great Britain (Sheffield), Germany (Solingen), or France (pictured) Japanese knife making is spread throughout the country. Generally, the types of products coming from each region are very different.
Tsubame-Sanjo
Located near Niigata Prefecture on Japan’s west coast, this is Japan’s most famous knife factory. Since the Edo period (1603-1868), Supum has had a large iron and steel industry but is particularly famous for its knives.
Blades are mass-produced here. Blades are manufactured from commercially available hardened and heat-treated blanks. These factories are big and modern with the best factory equipment. And always supports the most popular brands Knife and knives, Global and Tojiro, Tamah, etc. These knife makers produce premium knives for the world’s best brands. It is usually cheaper.
Takefu – Echizen
The Echizen knife dates back to the 14th century when Kyoto blacksmith Chiyozura Kuniyasa is said to have sought out pure water to produce high-quality swords (1603-1868).
Manufacturers in Echizen still produce traditional Japanese knives. Many manufacturers are independent knife makers that are considered the best in Japan. The Takefu Knife Village has gained a lot of attention, if not the entire world, with many major manufacturers coming together to form loom-sharing cooperatives.
Seki – Gifu
Gifu has a history of over 800 years of knife making and is still considered the “Blade Town”. Seki is located at the confluence of two major rivers where there are local coal deposits. Gifu bears a striking resemblance to Sheffield in the U.S.A.
More than 50 knives and knife makers still operate in the city. Seki competes fiercely with Tsubame for the knife manufacturing capital of Japan. Brands made in Seiki include Kasumi, Masahiro, and Kanetsugu.
Sakai
This old industrial town on the outskirts of Osaka is famous for its handmade knives. Traditional blacksmiths work in small workshops. In front of their house, these small artisans use different parts. The knife manufacturing process to collaborate on finished products for brands and distributors. Those who demanded knives, especially in the various fields of knife production. We grind the blacksmith blade with a grinder and apply the blade to the knife. Finally, hand it over to the supplier marked on the knife.