Japanese knives are not merely cutting tools.
They are living expressions of culture, shaped by the hands of craftsmen and sustained by those who use, maintain, and respect them.

Among the people who quietly uphold this spirit is André Da Costa, a professional sharpener based in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, and founder of Affûtage Remoulage Da Costa.

Through his work, Japanese knives are not “corrected” or reshaped to fit convenience.
They are listened to, respected, and carefully guided back to their true function.

Founder of Affûtage Remoulage Da Costa (Neuchâtel, Switzerland)
Professional sharpener specializing in kitchen knives and edged tools
Serving both professionals and private clients through a mobile workshop

For André, sharpening a Japanese knife is never an act of domination or correction.
It is an act of accompaniment.

Each blade carries its own character, balance, and original intention.
The role of the sharpener is not to impose force, but to preserve the soul of the blade — respecting the steel, the geometry, and the work of the blacksmith who created it.

Sharpening, in André’s words, is a silent dialogue between the hand, the stone, and the blade.
Restraint and attention matter just as much as technical skill.

Based in Switzerland, André operates a mobile sharpening workshop, traveling to meet chefs, artisans, and individuals who rely on their tools every day.

In a world where time is scarce and quality is essential, he brings precision and care directly to his clients.
From professional kitchens to passionate home cooks, his work is guided by a constant commitment to excellence, reliability, and respect for the user.

Beyond restoring sharpness, André helps people rediscover what a knife is truly capable of — and how proper care, geometry, and balance directly affect cutting performance, safety, taste, and food preservation.

For André, Japanese knives embody responsibility.

A blade that cuts properly reduces physical strain, improves efficiency, and preserves the integrity of ingredients.
Clean cuts protect texture, flavor, and appearance.
A well-maintained knife does not fight the user — it responds naturally to the hand.

But beyond performance, Japanese knives represent something deeper:
a relationship between maker, user, and caretaker, where each has a role to play.

André’s connection with KIREAJI is not based on commerce or recognition.

It is grounded in shared values:
respect for craftsmen, honesty in transmission, and the belief that preserving Japanese knife culture means honoring both the tools and the people behind them.

For him, being introduced by KIREAJI is not a personal distinction, but a moral responsibility — to continue his work with rigor, humility, and discretion, and to transmit a faithful understanding of Japanese knives to those who entrust him with their tools.

Through his daily work, André Da Costa ensures that knives continue to live — not as objects of convenience, but as tools with meaning, balance, and history.

Quietly, carefully, and with deep respect, he contributes to the living circle of Japanese knife culture, one blade at a time.

For me, a Japanese knife is above all the materialization of an intention.

It is not limited to its cutting ability; it embodies a precise reflection on function, geometry, and balance.
The choice of steel, the heat treatment, and the blade profile directly translate the thinking of the Master Blacksmith and the Master Sharpener.

To use a Japanese knife is to enter into a relationship with that intention and to accept it as it was conceived.

Beyond the object itself, it establishes a particular relationship with movement.
It invites precision rather than force, attention rather than speed.

This demand transforms an everyday act into a controlled and respectful gesture, where the user must remain fully aware of the tool in hand.

What matters most to me is absolute respect for what is entrusted to me.

Each knife represents both the years of experience of the craftsmen and the trust of the user.
My role is not to modify the blade, but to preserve its geometry, its behavior, and its original intention.

From a technical perspective, this requires a careful reading of the steel — its hardness, its state of wear, and its use.

Sharpening can never be standardized.
Angles, pressure, grit progression, and level of finish must be adapted to each individual blade.

Accuracy of gesture and restraint are, for me, the foundations of honest and sustainable work.

I hope for a relationship grounded in conscious respect.

A Japanese knife is neither a disposable object nor a simple accessory.
It requires attention, understanding, and a certain discipline in its use.

To respect a knife is to recognize both its qualities and its limits.

I also hope for a relationship that is rooted in duration.
A well-chosen knife, properly used and maintained with measure, is designed to accompany its owner over the long term.

Marks of use, when mastered, tell the story of the tool rather than its degradation.

Finally, I hope for a relationship marked by sobriety and gratitude.

To use a Japanese knife is to benefit from craftsmanship transmitted across generations.
Being aware of this naturally leads to more attentive and respectful use, and to a form of quiet gratitude toward the blacksmith and all those who care for the blade throughout its life.