We take knife sharpening very seriously because only by mastering this skill can we ensure that the full potential of any knife is brought out, resulting in an excellent edge.
Proper knife sharpening skills are essential for bringing out the best in any knife. Even the finest, most expensive knives won't achieve an excellent edge without the touch of a skilled hand. Conversely, even any knife can have an incredibly sharp edge with the work of a skilled artisan. The excellent finish of an edge depends more on the skill of the person who sharpens it than on the quality of the knife itself. However, the quality of the knife still plays a crucial role. While sharpening skill is paramount, the inherent quality of the knife also influences the ease of sharpening and the durability of the sharpness, the final result.
Knife sharpening can be approached at different skill levels.
The basic skill level of knife sharpening is for sharpening household knives. When you understand some key points, this skill level is not difficult to master, as it was common for home chefs in Japanese households to have mastered this skill until several decades ago.
The next skill level of knife sharpening is required to produce edges tailored to fulfill specific purposes for knives. For example, slicing soft and delicate ingredients like raw fish fillets for sashimi and chopping vegetable into pieces require different types of edges. Artisans need to understand the specific edge requirements for each type of knife and be able to provide edges that effectively serve each knife's purpose.
The third skill level of knife sharpening involves the ability to sharpen knives according to each customer's specific requirements. Achieving this level of skill typically requires a number of years of training, in addition to daily practice. Our artisans have trained extensively to reach this level of knife sharpening skill. However, they believe there is always room for improvement. They continuously study, train, and tirelessly work to enhance their skills. This dedication has surely elevated knife sharpening to an artistic mastery.
For the best experience with our knives, we encourage our customers to develop and acquire knife sharpening skills, beginning with the basic skill level of knife sharpening.