Kizuna Knife Arts

06/12/2025

16/03/2025

Over time, knife handles can wear out, with scratches trapping food particles and grease, leaving them feeling less than ideal.
Restore their beauty and durability by sanding from coarse to fine grit, then finishing with a touch of beeswax. Good as new and ready for more use!

For more information feel free to contact

14/07/2024

A corner of Takefu knife village.

23/02/2024

Our recent trip in Japan.
We have visited Takefu Knife Village, which is a thriving hub for knife production, is home to esteemed makers like Anryu, Kitaoka, Kato, Saji, and Kurosaki, who faithfully carry on the legacy of precise craftsmanship.

20/12/2023

Took a snapshot as we were leaving.
It’s the concentration and the attention to the details.

20/08/2023

About Takayuki and Takeshi Iwai Blacksmith
The Iwai Blacksmith company has been manufacturing high-quality knives for over 80 years and is widely known for their knives being handcrafted and one-of-a-kind. A talented blacksmith himself, Takayuki received the certification of Traditional Cratsman in cutlery production in 1994. His son, Takeshi Iwai.Just like his father, Takeshi earned the Traditional Craftsman certification in 2006, becoming the youngest person to ever do so. Now in his 40s, Takeshi has been working in the knifemaking industry for over 20 years, and is the current owner of the Iwai Blacksmith Company, which he manages with his father. The father and son duo work side-by-side to maintain their companies prestige and to ensure their knives are high-quality. Iwai Blacksmith Company’s knives are famously known for being crafted by hand, which is why so many people are drawn to the brand.

Iwai Blacksmith Company was founded in 1939 in the Echizen Province by a named Genmatsu Iwai. Iwai was a blacksmith in Sakai, another legendary Japanese knifemaking city. As World War II began to ravage Japan, Genmatsu’s life was turned upside down and he was left with nothing, prompting him to return his hometown of Takefu, now modern day Echizen. It was in Takefu where he would start Iwai Blacksmith Company and lay the foundations of what the company has become today. For over 80 years, Genmatsu worked tirelessly and has since handed his company off to his son, Takayuki Iwai, to continue his legacy.

Takeyuki Iwai Aogami super clad 210mm Yanagiba(Sashimi)
Specifications

Manufacturer: IWAI Knife Manufacturing Inc.
Blacksmith: Takeyuki
Knife Type: Yanagiba(Sashimi)
Blade Steel Type: Blue Paper Super (Aogami Super)
Hardness: 65HRC
Handle Material: Rosewood
Blade Length: 210mm
Total Length: 340mm
Weight: 110g
Blade Edge:Single edged

20/08/2023

About Takayuki and Takeshi Iwai Blacksmith
The Iwai Blacksmith company has been manufacturing high-quality knives for over 80 years and is widely known for their knives being handcrafted and one-of-a-kind. A talented blacksmith himself, Takayuki received the certification of Traditional Cratsman in cutlery production in 1994. His son, Takeshi Iwai.Just like his father, Takeshi earned the Traditional Craftsman certification in 2006, becoming the youngest person to ever do so. Now in his 40s, Takeshi has been working in the knifemaking industry for over 20 years, and is the current owner of the Iwai Blacksmith Company, which he manages with his father. The father and son duo work side-by-side to maintain their companies prestige and to ensure their knives are high-quality. Iwai Blacksmith Company’s knives are famously known for being crafted by hand, which is why so many people are drawn to the brand.

Takeyuki Iwai Aogami super clad 180mm Gyuto
Specifications

Manufacturer: IWAI Knife Manufacturing Inc.
Blacksmith: Takeyuki
Knife Type: Gyuto Knife
Blade Steel Type: Blue Paper Super (Aogami Super)
Hardness: 65HRC
Handle Material: Rosewood
Blade Length: 180mm
Total Length: 315mm
Weight: 155g
Blade Edge: Double edged (50/50 balanced, available for both left and right-handed)

20/08/2023

About Yoshimi Kato
Yoshimi Kato knives are produced in Takefu knife village in Fukui Japan by a blacksmith collective headed by Yoshimi Kato, the 3 rd of generation Kato, he took over his father company in 2017. Yoshimi Kato is producing knives with a high level of attention to detail, his hand-forged Damascus is mesmerizing and his tsuchime finish aesthetically pleasing. Yoshimi Kato knives have a great reputation for being the finest example of Echizen craftsmanship.

Yoshimi Kato Aogami Super Kurouchi Sujihiki 270mm

Manufacturer: Kato Knife Manufacturing Inc., Japan
Blacksmith:YOSHIMI KATO
Knife Type: Sujihiki Slicing Knife
Blade Steel Type: Blue Super Clad Nashiji
Hardness: 64 HRC
Handle Material: Cherry Handle
Blade Length: 270mm
Total Length: 421mm
Weight: 181g
Blade Edge: Double edged (50/50 balanced, available for both left and right-handed)

20/08/2023

About Yoshimi Kato
Yoshimi Kato knives are produced in Takefu knife village in Fukui Japan by a blacksmith collective headed by Yoshimi Kato, the 3 rd of generation Kato, he took over his father company in 2017. Yoshimi Kato is producing knives with a high level of attention to detail, his hand-forged Damascus is mesmerizing and his tsuchime finish aesthetically pleasing. Yoshimi Kato knives have a great reputation for being the finest example of Echizen craftsmanship.

Yoshimi Hino White #2 Gyuto 240mm
Manufacturer: Kato Knife Manufacturing Inc., Japan
Blacksmith:YOSHIMI KATO
Knife Type: Gyuto Knife
Blade Steel Type: white steel 2
Hardness: 61 HRC
Handle Material: Sandalwood /Pakka Wood
Blade Length: 242mm
Total Length: 395mm
Weight: 182g
Blade Edge: Double edged (50/50 balanced, available for both left and right-handed)