Ten forges worth knowing properly

Super steels few will touch, and true mizu-honyaki. Est. 1933, third generation.

Tokyo's most famous knife house — and a catalogue far deeper than the one gyuto everyone chases.

Rainbow Damascus, ironwood and stag horn from Takefu Knife Village's certified master.

Fifth generation by marriage, self-taught by necessity, mentored by a master. One pair of hands.

Sixteen years under honyaki master Kenichi Shiraki — then the forge became his.

The most coveted name in the craft. A father, two sons, and a years-long queue.

A licensed swordsmith whose kitchen knives almost never leave Japan.

The sword-rooted forge where honyaki is the house discipline.

Founded 1560 as swordsmiths to the imperial court. Still hand-finishing knives in Nishiki Market.

The master behind the River Jump damascus — and mentor to a generation.