Collections
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Isamitsu
At Knifewear, supporting the future of blacksmithing has always been one of our main goals. Fifteen years ago, many would have called knifemaking in Japan a “dying art”, with many older masters forging knives with very few young apprentices. Since then, the blossom of passion for knife making has blossomed among the youth, and blacksmithing now has a bright, vibrant future in Japan. Many older masters have taken on young apprentices, and some have even struck out on their own to start their own workshops. One such workshop I’m most excited about currently is Isamitsu Hamono.
Isamitsu Hamono is primarily operated by Yuki Abe-san and Gaku Kanatsu-san. As...
Isamitsu
At Knifewear, supporting the future of blacksmithing has always been one of our main goals. Fifteen years ago, many would have called knifemaking in Japan a “dying art”, with many older masters forging knives with very few young apprentices. Since then, the blossom of passion for knife making has blossomed among the youth, and blacksmithing now has a bright, vibrant future in Japan. Many older masters have taken on young apprentices, and some have even struck out on their own to start their own workshops. One such workshop I’m most excited about currently is Isamitsu Hamono.
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Kamagata
Originally designed to cut rubber soles for shoemaking, the Kamagata compliments any knife collection perfectly.
Shallots, garlic, herbs, itty bitty diced onion and tomato, beef tartare… none...
Kamagata
Originally designed to cut rubber soles for shoemaking, the Kamagata compliments any knife collection perfectly.
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Kisuke Manaka
Kisuke Manaka is a relatively young, 5th generation, blacksmith in Kasukabe, Saitama pref. His father-in-law was a wholesaler masquerading as a blacksmith, and Manaka-san didn’t like the dishonest way his father-in-law operated his business so he decided to become a blacksmith himself. He didn’t have anyone who could teach him, but he had a pile of equipment that he had inherited such as a spring hammer, a sharpening wheel, etc. He began making knives from scratch about 10 years ago and experienced many years of struggle and learning from his struggles. Through sheer force of effort, he developed the technique to forge-weld steels in house, even forge welding stainless steel which is no easy task.
Kisuke Manaka is a relatively young, 5th generation, blacksmith in Kasukabe, Saitama...
Kisuke Manaka
Kisuke Manaka is a relatively young, 5th generation, blacksmith in Kasukabe, Saitama pref. His father-in-law was a wholesaler masquerading as a blacksmith, and Manaka-san didn’t like the dishonest way his father-in-law operated his business so he decided to become a blacksmith himself. He didn’t have anyone who could teach him, but he had a pile of equipment that he had inherited such as a spring hammer, a sharpening wheel, etc. He began making knives from scratch about 10 years ago and experienced many years of struggle and learning from his struggles. Through sheer force of effort, he developed the technique to forge-weld steels in house, even forge welding stainless steel which is no easy task.
