• Free Special Services with Your Japanese Knife Purchase

  • At KIREAJI, we offer two complimentary services to help you protect and enjoy your precious Japanese knife for years to come.

1. The First Step in Protecting Your Knife: KIREAJI's Free Service

  • To ensure that you can use your Japanese knife for many years with peace of mind, KIREAJI offers a free sheath (Saya) made to fit each knife.

  • What is a Sheath? - The Unsung Hero That Protects Your Knife

    A "Saya" is a wooden cover that wraps around the blade of a knife. Its role is to protect the blade, enhance safety, and maintain the knife in a beautiful condition.

    Even when not in use, the blade of a knife is very delicate. Even a slight touch can cause chipping or wear, which significantly impacts its sharpness. This is where the sheath comes in. By physically covering the edge, it protects the knife from external shocks and friction.

    Additionally, the sheath helps prevent the blade from being exposed when carried, greatly improving safety. Whether you are a professional chef carrying multiple knives or have young children at home, the presence of a sheath provides significant peace of mind.

  • KIREAJI’s Commitment to Magnolia Wood Sheaths

    At KIREAJI, our sheaths are made from the traditional material, magnolia wood.

    This wood is lightweight yet moderately strong, easy to shape, and exceptionally well-suited for use with Japanese knives. It is also relatively resistant to moisture, making it a highly practical material that helps prevent the blade from rusting.

  • The Sheath: An Important Tool Connecting You and Your Knife

    A sheath is not just an accessory. It is a shield that protects the sharpness, a tool that ensures safety, and most importantly, an object that deepens the relationship between you and your knife.

    At KIREAJI, we cherish the "first step" of sharpening the blade, applying the final edge, and protecting it with the sheath, driven by the belief that "a Japanese knife should last a lifetime".

    It is not the end after purchasing the knife, but the starting point for a knife that will stay with you for many years.

    This is the sentiment behind the sheath we provide at KIREAJI.
Saya (Sheath): More Than Just a Case

2. About Honbazuke (Final Edge Sharpening)

  • At KIREAJI, we offer a free Honbazuke service—a final sharpening process—upon request. Please note that this Honbazuke is a practical initial edge, not a pursuit of perfect sharpness. It is provided as a service to help you begin using your knife comfortably.

  • Japanese knives are typically shipped without final edge sharpening, and there are two important reasons for this:

    • To prevent damage to the blade during international shipping
    • Because a Japanese knife is a tool meant to be personalized by its user

  • A Japanese knife is more than just a cutting tool—it is something you grow with over time. By adjusting the sharpness to your own preferences and purpose, you can transform it into a truly one-of-a-kind knife. This spirit of customization is a hallmark of Japanese knife culture.

    However, we understand that many customers prefer to use their knife right away. That’s why KIREAJI now offers free Honbazuke sharpening upon request. This gives your knife a usable, well-balanced edge from the start.

    Each Honbazuke sharpening is carefully performed by hand by a dedicated specialist from the Shiroyama Knife Workshop. While this is not a traditional artisan-level finish, it provides a reliable and practical starting point for everyday use.

    Ultimately, we encourage you to refine and adjust the edge yourself over time to achieve your ideal sharpness.

    A Japanese knife is something you nurture through use.

    Enjoy the process of creating your very own knife—one that reflects your style and grows with you.

    Honbazuke 
Honbazuke

  • At KIREAJI, we are committed to providing you with an authentic cutting experience and helping you enjoy the excellence of Japanese knives for a lifetime.

Common questions about Free Service When You Purchase a Knife

Knife_forging_process

New kitchen knives often arrive with a less-than-perfect edge, intentionally dulled to prevent damage during shipping and transportation. The blade angle may be deliberately made less acute to enhance durability and prevent quick damage, as overly sharp angles can be fragile. This deliberate dullness also allows for customization and sharpening by the user. Many new knives are finished with machine sharpening, leaving vertical scratches on the blade and resulting in an average level of sharpness compared to those sharpened by hand. This process is called Honbazuke, meaning "to put on a real blade," which involves sharpening the knife to its extreme limit to maximize functionality. Honbazuke enhances sharpness and sustainability, turning the knife into a partner in the pleasure of cooking. This technique has historical significance in Japan, stemming from the tradition of sharpening swords, and is essential for achieving a knife's original sharpness.

The white sheath serves the purpose of protecting the knife blade during transportation and storage, ensuring its safety and preventing accidental damage. It encapsulates the blade, safeguarding its delicate edge and prolonging its lifespan. Additionally, the sheath minimizes the risk of accidents, making the knife safe for handling. However, it's important to note that storing the knife in its sheath for long periods is not advisable due to the risk of moisture-induced rust. Instead, it's recommended to keep the knife in a well-ventilated area or wrapped in newspaper for extended storage. The sheaths are typically crafted from magnolia wood for its durability and moisture resistance. It's crucial to handle the sheath with care, avoiding contact that may cause damage to the blade. While the sheath is not necessary for prolonged storage, it is an essential accessory for transportation, ensuring the knife remains in optimal condition.

For customers who purchase kitchen knives from KIREAJI, the Honbazuke and saya (sheath) services are provided free of charge. Honbazuke involves reshaping and sharpening new knives to their original sharpness, meticulously performed by a skilled craftsman in Sakai City. Additionally, each knife comes with a complimentary white sheath, which serves to prevent blade damage during transportation and shield it from moisture, thereby preventing rust. These services are included with the purchase of the knife at no extra cost.

The Origin of Craftsmanship

  • Achievement Is Not Just About Success; It Must Allow Room for Failure

  • The results we strive for aren’t measured simply by the number of successes. In fact, it’s through repeated failures that we find genuine growth and evolution. To master any path, sometimes you need detours and setbacks. It’s the new discoveries made along the way, and the ingenuity that arises from refining a piece over and over, that deepen our craft. That’s why I believe true achievement should be seen not as flawless success, but as an unending journey of growth, inclusive of failure.
Sakai Traditional Craftsmen Collection