The Final Touch: The Story of Kido Finishing in Sakai

  • Have you ever wondered about the journey your kitchen knife takes before reaching your hands? In the heart of Sakai, Japan, a centuries-old tradition adds the finishing touch that transforms a blade from mere metal into a culinary masterpiece.

  • A Glimpse into Tradition

    The first time I witnessed Kido finishing, I was mesmerized. A craftsman quietly rotated a pine wood wheel, meticulously polishing the surface of a knife. It wasn't just finishing—it was like watching someone breathe life into steel.

  • The Magic in the Details

  • Kido finishing isn't just about aesthetics. After the preliminary Hagoromo-ate process, master craftsmen use this pine wheel (known as Kido) to impart a distinctive luster to the blade. But there's more to it than meets the eye. Both the flat side and the back of the knife receive this careful attention—each stroke carrying the pride and tradition of Sakai.

  • Why Kido Finishing Matters

  • "Isn't it just for appearance?" many ask. True, the beautiful sheen is captivating, but Kido finishing serves a greater purpose. This process influences how the knife feels in your hand and how it moves through ingredients. It's where decades of craftsman intuition culminate in the pursuit of the perfect cut.

  • The Craftsmen's Code

  • Talk to any knife maker in Sakai, and they'll tell you the same thing: "Kido finishing is the crucial final step. To compromise here would be to betray our tradition." These words carry the weight of generations—a pride in craftsmanship and a sincere commitment to the user's experience.

  • The Soul of Sakai in Your Kitchen

  • A knife that has undergone Kido finishing is more than a culinary tool. It's a crystallization of Sakai craftsmanship, where every subtle shade in the steel tells a story of dedication. When you hold such a knife, you're not just holding a blade—you're holding a piece of living history.

  • Feel the Difference

  • The pine wheel spins, guided by hands that have inherited centuries of knowledge. With each rotation, the blade's surface transforms, developing a character that's uniquely Sakai. This isn't just a finish; it's the final whisper of craftsmanship that sets Sakai knives apart.

  • A Legacy in Your Hands

  • While we can explain the technical aspects—the pine wheel, the careful polishing of both sides, the unique luster—what truly matters is what this means for you, the user. When you choose a knife finished in this traditional way, you're not just getting a superior tool. You're becoming part of a legacy that stretches back through generations of master craftsmen.

  • Experience the difference that true craftsmanship makes. Let your cooking be elevated by a blade that carries the soul of Sakai in every cut.

The Origin of Craftsmanship

  • Never letting any encounter go to waste—that’s the key to opening new doors of challenge.

  • Valuing every encounter, without exception, is what drives our growth and opens doors to new challenges. Even things that seem unrelated at first glance carry lessons and insights within them. From learning how to handle materials to the use of tools and connections with people, each experience guides us to the next step. By treasuring each meeting and building upon the knowledge and experience gained, we can keep evolving, day by day.
Sakai Traditional Craftsmen Collection

KIREAJI's Three Promises to You

  • japanese_knife_made_in_Sakai

    1. High-quality Japanese Knive

    We offer knives crafted by craftsmen from Sakai City.

  • Honbazuke

    2. Genuine Sharpness

    To ensure you experience sharpness, we provide a free Honbazuke by our skilled craftsmen.

  • 3. Lifetime Knife Use

    Every knife comes with a free Saya(Sheath) for durability. We also provide paid after-sales services with Sakai City Japanese knife workshop.