ABOUT US
KAKINUMA's Commitment
To earn the name of a KAKINUMA knife, the following elements are crucial:
- A sense of pride in the fusion of art and functionality—our core concept that brings beauty and purpose into harmony.
- A sense of pride in our one-of-a-kind craftsmanship—techniques refined over years and recognized with design patents.
- A sense of pride in creating with empathy—crafting knives while imagining the lives and hands they will serve.
- A sense of pride in our relentless pursuit of precision—leveraging both cutting-edge technology and irreplaceable human touch.
- A sense of pride in every detail—where even the most intricate textures express the soul of craftsmanship.
As Japan’s first luxury knife brand, we dedicate ourselves daily to the pursuit of new value through an intimate engagement with the art of knife-making. Each KAKINUMA knife is brought to life through the vision of our owner—both designer and artisan—and the skilled hands of our craftsmen. It is only upon reaching the hands of our customers and spending time by their side that the knife’s true completion is realized.
The Fusion of Art and Functionality
We don’t pursue functionality alone—we aim to craft knives that also embody artistic value. Like fine ceramics, which are appreciated both for use and for their beauty, we believe knives can be objects of visual enjoyment. Just as with clothing or jewelry, usability is not the only value a product offers. Unique design and the ability to express one’s individuality also matter.
To achieve our goal of enriching people’s lives, every product is designed by the brand owner personally, who is also involved in every stage of the manufacturing process. Each knife is carefully created as a piece of functional art.
Quality Control
Our knives are not made solely based on a craftsman’s intuition. While intuition is valuable, it can sometimes lead to inconsistencies in quality. We have re-evaluated every step of our manufacturing process and adopted advanced technologies where improvements can be made. At the same time, we ensure that essential handcrafted elements—those that cannot be replicated by machines—are handled by skilled artisans, maintaining consistently high standards.
MORE
Steel Materials
We source a wide variety of steel from manufacturers around the world, including Japan, and continuously develop our products through a process of ongoing refinement. We select steels that we believe offer the ideal balance between performance and ease of maintenance, aiming to create products that are easy to handle for all users.
Heat Treatment
Heat treatment is arguably the most crucial process in determining the performance of steel. Just like cooking—where even the finest ingredients can be ruined by incorrect heat application—a knife's quality depends on how accurately its heat treatment is tailored to the properties of the steel. We use state-of-the-art heat treatment equipment, also employed in processing aircraft propellers and precision components, allowing us to precisely control temperature changes and heating speed to ensure stable and consistent quality.
Cryogenic Treatment (Ultra-Subzero Treatment)
Using carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen, we cool the knives to below -100°C after quenching. This process helps to even out the hardness, improve the steel’s microstructure, and stabilize the shape. By stabilizing the steel structure, we enhance product quality and prevent deformation over time due to aging.
Hammered Pattern Technology
One of our most distinctive features is our hammered pattern technique, which has been recognized by the Japanese government as a one-of-a-kind design and registered as a design patent. It took nearly two years and countless prototypes to incorporate this technique into our knives and turn it into a commercial product.
When viewed up close, you’ll be amazed by its intricacy. From the petals and leaves of cherry blossoms, the texture and veins of autumn foliage, to the sparks of fireworks and the fine details of snowflakes—all are deeply and uniformly etched. While many knives feature surface designs created by laser or sandblasting, none match the precision and depth of our hammered finish.
Meticulously Crafted Handles
We have been developing knife handles for over five years, constantly producing new designs. Depending on the shape and materials used, some complex handles can take over a year to develop.
Even now, we continue to develop new materials and create prototypes daily to bring truly unique products to the market.
Message from Representative " Tomohiro Kakinuma "
「The Spirit of Weaving Tradition and Creating New Value」
Our brand aims to deliver more than just tools—we strive to provide value that enriches your life. Building on my career as a chef and six years of training at a long-established knife shop, I now dedicate myself to product development. During this time, I had the opportunity to engage with countless knives, connect with skilled artisans, and gain deep insights through independent creations. These experiences have shaped the knowledge and techniques I now pour into every product with care and dedication.
In my family, the spirit of craftsmanship has been passed down since my grandfather's generation. My paternal grandfather once manufactured a machine that swept an entire era, and my father inherited that craft and continues to work in manufacturing even now, in his seventies. On my mother's side, my grandparents ran a long-standing restaurant, and my mother has followed in their footsteps by running her own small eatery. Influenced by both my father and mother, I found great joy in spending time at my father’s workshop, engrossed in creating, and cooking alongside my mother during my childhood. These experiences have profoundly influenced my approach and philosophy toward craftsmanship today.
Knives are often associated with "sharpness," but we aim to pursue value beyond that. Just as traditional crafts like pottery and art provide "beauty to be admired," our knives aspire to transcend mere functionality. We aim to make them objects of beauty and storytelling that enhance and enrich everyday life.
Furthermore, I believe that "tradition" is not simply about preserving what past generations have created. Instead, true tradition lies in building on history to express something new that only we can achieve in this era. With the spirit of **“fueki ryuko”**—the harmony of unchanging essentials and evolving innovation—we seek to preserve timeless fundamentals while continually embracing new challenges.
Through our knives, we hope to bring the craftsmanship, dedication, and stories behind them into your everyday life, making it just a little more vibrant and meaningful.
Tomohiro Kakinuma
SINCE Sep, 2023