What Makes Sakai Knives Special? Japanese Knives, Tradition, and the Secrets of Sharpness

Sakai knives are considered the finest among Japanese kitchen knives, admired worldwide for their unmatched sharpness and traditional craftsmanship.

For centuries, Sakai in Osaka has been known as “the city of knives,” where specialized craftsmen have preserved unique forging techniques that produce blades adored by professional chefs and home cooks alike. Many even say, “Sakai knives are THE Japanese knives to have.”

What makes them truly special is not only their razor-sharp cutting edge but also the beauty and elegance born from precise handcrafting and division of labor unique to Sakai.

In this article, we wi mitment of their craftsmen, and the differences from knives crafted in other regions. We wil ll reveal the secrets behind the sharpness of Sakai knives, the coml also introduce the “multi-purpose single-edged knives” that we at JIKKO Cutlery, with over 120 years of history, proudly recommend for both professional and home kitchens.

History of Sakai Knives: the Beginning of the Glorious Tradition

During history class, many students in Japan learn and hear about Sakai’s ancient tombs and firearms during the Sengoku period. The land which is called “Sakai” now has many historical backgrounds. The history of how the land became to be called “City (Town) of Knives” all leads to the knife crafting techniques that are still used today.

From here on, we’ll explain in detail about the history of Sakai Knives.

The origins and development of Sakai Knives: fruits of craftsmanship continued on from ancient times

The history of Sakai begins over 2000years ago, during the Yayoi period. Before the common era began, many tools and techniques were gathered in Sakai to make the NINTOKU-TENNOURYO-KOFUN (megalithic tomb built for Emperor Nintoku); it was the age of development for Sakai.

Later, during the Sengoku period, Sakai prospered into a trading port, and firearm technologies introduced from Portugal made the town even more famous. They say during that era, was when Sakai’s blacksmith skills further increased by crafting firearms.

What directly became the origin of the knives made today, were “Tobacco Knives” made during the Edo period. It is said that the knives that were made to cut tobacco leaves were acknowledged by the Shogunate, and spread around the entire Japan.

About the “Tobacco Knife” that became the origin of Sakai Knives

During the 16th century, from the Sengoku to the early Edo period, tobacco culture was introduced to Japan from Portugal, along with small knives used to cut tobacco leaves for smoking—an early form of what would later become cigarettes.

However, the imported knives were not very sharp.As tobacco cultivation spread in Japan, the demand for these knives increased, and craftsmen in Sakai began producing “Tobacco Knives.”

The Sakai-made knives proved to be much sharper than those imported from overseas, earning official approval from the Tokugawa Shogunate.Knives engraved with “Sakai Kiwame” were granted exclusive status and soon became known throughout Japan.

Division of Labor of Sakai Knives and the secrets behind the sharpness

In Sakai, knife manufacturing is divided into 4 specialty fields and divisions of labor have taken root: “Forging”, “Sharpening (Blade Attachment)”, “Handle Production”, and “Handle Attachment “. You can say that having craftsmen that specializes in each fields leads to the manufacturing of high-quality knives in Sakai.

Production and Job Specialization of Sakai Knives

You could say that the excellent techniques produced by craftsmen of each area are the secrets behind the high-quality and sharp knives of Sakai Cutlery.

Differences of Sakai Knives and knives from other regions 

In Japan, there are 3 regions that are said to be the 3 major production areas of knives. 

3 Major Production Areas of Knives
・　Sakai city in Osaka Prefecture
・　Sanjo City in Niigata Prefecture
・　Seki city in Gifu Prefecture 

Sanjo City in Niigata Prefecture (It is also called Tsubame-Sanjo when Sanjo city and Tsubame city are combined together) first started off from manufacturing agricultural tools; afterwards, the craftsmen incorporated those techniques into knife making. Their forging techniques are outstanding, and is famous for making knives that are quite sturdy; the knives made at Sanjo city are said to be long-lasting with high durability.

Seki city in Gifu Prefecture is famous worldwide as a knife production area; being counted as one of the “World’s Top 3 Major Blade Production Centers”,  it was famous for blade forging, and knife culture was able to prosper. They are especially famous for their knives that are solid to the core. You may also have heard of Seki’s knives in connection with the 2nd generation craftsman Kanemoto Magoroku (aka “Seki’s Magoroku”), who is said to be THE Master Craftsman around the time. One of the major differences of Seki’s knife with other cities, is that while Sakai and Sanjo cities are famous for forged cutlery, Seki makes their knives with pressing machines.

Sakai city in Osaka Prefecture manufactures knives by “Uchi-Hanino”, or forged cutlery. All processes are done by hand, and is a production center of Single-edged and Carbon steel knives. They say 80 to 90% of the Japanese cuisine chefs use knives made at Sakai; Sakai is a famous production center city of specialized knives such as Sashimi knives and Deba knives.

Handmade Process of Sakai Knives

Because Sakai’s cutlery does all processes above by hand, skills are required by craftsmen, and techniques has been long inherited thru the ages.

The Sharpness that JIKKO CUTLERY is Committed to

JIKKO is committed to the “blade attachment” process that leads to the excellent sharpness. “HATSUKE (Blade attachment)” is a process to sharpen the knife’s blade. Knives can't be cut without the “HATSUKE” process; at JIKKO, all the knives are sharpened and ready to cut before your purchase.

We, JIKKO, are committed to this “HATSUKE” process, and are highly acknowledged for it. When the knife is sharpened too sharp, the blade can be brittle and can easily be chipped; by doing “KOBA-TSUKE(small blade attachment)”, we balance out the blade so it will be sharp, but not easily chipped at the same time.

more details about JIKKO’s sharpening 

Also, for those who desire and seek even sharper cutting edges, we also do “HONBA-TSUKE” as well. Our craftsmen will maximize and bring out the sharpness of the blade of the knife, by using their best skills and techniques.

more details about Honba-Tsuke

The Glamour of Sakai’s Single-Edged Knives and its Advantages

Sakai knives are made possible thanks to the excellent craftsmen’s skills and techniques. The outstandingly sharp blades processed by those craftsmen’s skills, earned high trust from chefs that require delicate works while cooking. 

You can even say that Single-edged knives that especially require excellent sharpness, are supported by the skills of which Sakai’s craftsmen deliver.

From here, we will explain in detail about the Single-Edged knives’ types and purposes, and introduce you to the Multi-purpose Single-Edged Knives that JIKKO has created.

What is a Single-Edged Knife? Types and Purposes of the Knife

A Single-Edged Knife is a knife with only one side sharpened; it has URAOSHI (Flat rim on the back) and SHINOGI (Side ridges), and sharp KIREHA (cutting edge) is one of the features that the knife. You can sharpen the knives sharper than the Double-Edged knives, so you can say that Single-Edged knives are suited to cut delicate ingredients.

When you cut food with a sharper cutting edge, you can cleanly cut food without smashing the cells of the food. Because of that, the foods’ taste and cut edges looks even better.

The cells of the food that are not smashed when cutting

The cells when the edges became smashed from cutting

List of Typical Single-Edged Knives

The Multipurpose Single-Edged Knives that JIKKO CUTLERY has Created

At JIKKO CUTLERY, we have created a multipurpose type knives that has the features of the Single-edged knives that specializes in its sharpness. The cutting edges are sharper than the double-edged knives, so you can cut softer ingredients without smashing the cutting edges. 

These knives are especially useful when cutting meat and fish. For those of you searching for a knife that is above and beyond, it’s a must-have knife.

more details about Multipurpose Single-Edged Knives

Single-Edged Knife becoming Popular throughout the World

Since Japanese cuisines are traditionally made to bring out and enjoy the taste of delicate food, it is often required to cut beautifully, without smashing the cells of the food. They say that is the reason why Single-Edged knives’ cultures and traditions of excellent sharpness prospered.

And now that Japanese cuisines became popular worldwide, people started noticing the high quality handmade skills and techniques of the Japanese craftsmen, and Single-Edged knives are being loved by people all over the world.

Sakai Cutlery/Sakai Knives Q&A Questions

From here, we’ll answer to some of the questions we are commonly asked about Sakai Cutlery/Sakai Knives

Question: what’s the most famous knife in Sakai?

Answer: Sakai has a long history of Japanese style knives, and is especially famous with specialized knives, such as Deba knives and Sashimi knives. Deba knives are thick and heavy, as is made to fillet a fish; Sakai has a history for making the Deba knives. You can say that Deba knives originated from Sakai city. Sakai’s knives has been acknowledged nationally in Japan, and even worldwide, for it high quality and craftsmen skills. The Knives of Sakai city are loved and used by many chefs, especially those who take pride cooking traditional Japanese cuisine that requires excellent sharpness when cooking.

Question: Why is Sakai city so famous for knives?

Answer: Sakai city first became famous for knives, back when tobacco was introduced to Japan, and craftsmen started making Tobacco knives that were also introduced to the country. The knives made then with excellent cutting edges were highly acknowledged; it became exclusive by the Shogunates, and Sakai’s knives became known nationally.

With this, Sakai city has improved their knife forging technologies, and is now known for various Japanese style knives such as Deba Knives and Sashimi Knives. These history and traditions has lead Sakai as being one of the Major production center for knives.

Question: Which cities in Japan are famous for knives?

Answer: The cities that are known as three major production areas in Japan, are Sakai city (Osaka Prefecture), Seki City (Gifu Prefecture), and Sanjo City (Niigata Prefecture). Sakai city has long been known for knife forging, and has crafted many knives with excellent quality. Sakai city is especially famous for being the production center for traditional Japanese style knives. Seki city has a history of prospering as city (town) of Swordsmith, and many knife manufacturers still creates Western style knives with excellent qualities. Sanjo city is also known as City (town) of Hardware, and is known for not just for manufacturing knives, but for manufacturing various metal products as well. Each regions has unique technologies and history, and is famous worldwide as major production centers of high quality knives.

Question: What is the most expensive Sakai knives?

Answer: When talking about most expensive knife forged in Sakai, in terms of being the highest grade, it will be “HONYAKI KNIVES”. Honyaki knives use highest quality single piece steel, and is carefully forged, similar to how you forge Japanese Katanas. These knives are forged by hand by especially skilled craftsmen, and has extremely sharp blade and durability that lasts for a long time. That’s why many professional chefs say that HONYAKI knives are their dream knife they yearn to have. From the high skills needed to make to the highest quality it has, HONYAKI knives are said to be Sakai’s most high-end product.

The Future of Sakai Knives that JIKKO CUTLERY Thinks About

While we keep on passing down Sakai Cutlery’s traditional skills, we also incorporate new techniques as well, to create new designs of knives that nobody ever thought of, and would like to keep on improving every day.

Sakai Cutlery have already been famous within chefs, but we would like to be known by even more people, and for people all over Japan, all over the world, to use and enjoy JIKKO’s knives.

If you would like to learn more about Sakai knives and explore our full collection, please visit the official website of JIKKO Cutlery.

JIKKO Cutlery Official Website

If you ever visit Japan, we warmly welcome you to stop by one of JIKKO Cutlery’s stores. Experience our craftsmanship firsthand and discover the beauty of Sakai knives in person.

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