Manufacturing Legacy: Sakai Knives

What does it take to manufacture a legacy? Great patience, pride and tenacity. An abundance of skill and diligence. In Manufacturing Legacy, Ivor Andrew will explore the stories of people on this journey. Episode one features the knife makers of Sakai, Japan.

For centuries, Sakai was known for its samurai swords. Generations of swordmakers passed down their knowledge, and today, the city forges and hones the best handmade kitchen knives on earth.

In this video, you’ll see Yoshikazu Ikeda, blacksmith, as well as Hideki Ino, finisher. They graciously opened their doors to show how they go about manufacturing legacy.

If you have a passion for cooking and want to give Sakai a try, the knives typically run anywhere from $100 to $500 and up.

A film by Ivor Andrew