A Craftsman's Perspective - Japanese Knives In depth

Are water sharpeners a good replacement for whetstones? They're cheap, flexible, and easy to use! But what about the end result? Can they sharpen the same way that whetstones can?

In Japan, it's very common to see water whetstones used in knife sharpening, but there are also other kinds people use too - especially in other countries. The major alternative is oil whetstones.

Diamond boasts the highest hardness of all materials out there. Does this mean it makes a good whetstone though? And are there multiple kinds? How are they compared to other materials?

Cooks, and chefs may wind up using their tools for generations. But what happens when these knives are no longer usable? We hold knife memorials to honor those tools, learn how here.

Making a knife that is uniquely yours is a wonderful experience. And one of the easiest ways to dothat is by getting your name engraved onto your new knife. It becomes one-of-a-kind! Here's how it's done.

Japanese knife handles look beautiful, but without proper care can sometimes need replacement - and it's important to do that at the first sign of problems. This blog explains why!

Our Kirameki range is a popular series, with a  design reminiscent of classic Japanese knives. Explore why these stainless steel handled knives are one of our favorite series to date!

When giving a gift in Japan, the box and the wrapping can sometimes be just as important as the gift itself. Read about our traditional Japanese wooden gift boxes, commonly used for gifts like Japanese knives.

Damascus Steel has become incredibly popular in the kitchen knife community around the world. Many people want a knife that has it, but you should know some things first.

Sakai Ichimonji’s resident knife sharpener Jun Watanabe has worked with our G-LINE series for many years. As one of our longest selling items, he knows them better than anyone! See what he has to say.

One of our knife sharpeners Jun Watanabe knows a thing or two - or a hundred about knives! Many customers seek his special exptertise and advice. See what he has to say about our Sazanami range!

There's noone that will know our Kirameki sharpening stones better than our master sharpener himself, Jun Watanabe. With a diverse range, let him explain which is best for you!