Sakai Kikumori: the Japanese knife makers who believed in us first
When people ask us where our love of Japanese knives really began, the answer is always the same: Sakai Kikumori.
They weren't just the first Japanese knives we ever stocked; they were the first people in Japan who believed in Community Cutlery when we were a tiny business with absolutely no track record.
I really believe that it was this trust that shaped the future of our business.
Taking a chance on us
When we first started looking for Japanese knife makers to work with, we quickly discovered that the world’s finest handmade knives aren't produced in huge factories; they're crafted by skilled blacksmiths, sharpeners and handle makers working in small workshops, often producing only a handful of knives at a time.
For many makers, taking on a new retailer represents a significant commitment. Orders are made to commission, waiting lists can stretch into months or even years and naturally, they only want to work with businesses they know and trust.
But back then, we were neither.
Community Cutlery was unknown, even locally. We'd never sold a Japanese knife before and so when we placed our first order, it felt like a huge leap for us. Compared to the orders we place today, it was small fry and Sakai Kikumori would have been totally justified in deciding it wasn't worth the effort. Thankfully for us, they didn't.
More than six years later we've sold hundreds of their knives, placed many substantial orders and built a relationship that means a huge amount to us.
More than just a supplier
Since those early days, we've been lucky enough to get to know Daisuke and the Sakai Kikumori team incredibly well.
We've welcomed them to our shop in Ilkley, met them at trade shows in Europe and, best of all, visited them twice in Japan. Every visit reminds us just how special Japanese hospitality can be.
Daisuke has been unbelievably generous with his time, introducing us to many of the talented craftspeople involved in producing Sakai Kikumori knives. Through him, we've had the privilege of meeting legendary blacksmiths including Tanaka-san and Nakagawa-san, gaining a deeper understanding of the awesome amount of skill and collaboration that goes into every knife.
Whenever we're in Japan, we're looked after like old friends, sharing stories together over insane feasts. These visits have now become one of the highlights of every trip.
We've even caught up with Daisuke in Germany during the Ambiente trade fair in Frankfurt, where he's always kind enough to sort tickets for us.
Those friendships make every Sakai Kikumori knife we sell feel just that little bit more special – personal even.
How Sakai Kikumori works
One thing that surprises many people is that Sakai Kikumori themselves aren’t blacksmiths.
Their Japanese company name is Kawamura Hamono, a family business founded more than 100 years ago by Daisuke's grandfather.
Over generations, they've built trusted relationships with some of the finest blacksmiths, sharpeners and craftspeople across the Sakai region. Rather than forging every knife themselves, they commission work from these exceptional makers before selling the finished knives under the Sakai Kikumori name. This is a long-established tradition in Sakai.
The craftspeople behind a Sakai Kikumori knife often remain anonymous. Many blacksmiths and sharpeners prefer their identities not to be disclosed, instead allowing the knife to represent the collective skill of everyone involved in making it.
Occasionally a maker's name is attached to a knife - particularly as more enthusiasts become interested in collecting work from individual smiths - but anonymity remains an important part of Sakai's knife-making culture.
It's one of the many things that makes Japanese craftsmanship so fascinating.
Knives we've loved from the very beginning
Some of the very first Sakai Kikumori knives we ever stocked are still permanent fixtures on our shelves today.
The Nihonko, Kurouchi and Nashiji ranges have been with us almost from day one, and they continue to be among our favourite recommendations.
Every year we place more orders, knowing that we'll almost certainly be waiting months - if not years - before all the knives arrive. Our current Sakai Kikumori order will arrive gradually over the next few years and by the time we get it, we'll probably already have added to it many times over!
It's a long-game but one that's absolutely worth playing if you ask us!
One knife we simply can't stop admiring
If we had to choose one current favourite, it would be the Nakagawa Sakai Kikumori Damascus Deep Gyuto: there's just something quite magical about it.
Beautiful Damascus patterning as well as incredible cutting performance and craftsmanship, mean that it’s every bit as impressive to use, as it is to look at.
Looking ahead
Working with Sakai Kikumori has been one of the defining moments of Community Cutlery's story so far.
They trusted us when we were an unknown business placing tiny orders, welcomed us into their world and have continued supporting us ever since.
Six years on, we're still immensely proud to have their knives on our shelves and hope to keep growing our relationship with them for many years to come.