Minomo Blacksmith Knife With Name Engraving 210mm
Ships in approx. 2 months
A long, slim Bunka-style knife designed and crafted by 10th-generation Minomo Blacksmith Isamu-san especially for cooking dads. The knife's design was inspired by traditional Japanese "Higo no kami" pocket knives.
Craftsman Isamu-san engraved "Minomo Blacksmith Knife No. 8" on the blade, because it is his 8th year since taking over the smithy.
Includes:
- Minomo Knife for Fathers (double-edged bevel, handcrafted from Aogami No. 2 steel, rugged blade finish, 320mm length, 210mm blade length, 150g weight, magnolia wood handle with black finish)
- Red Sharpening Stone (15cm x 4cm x 3cm)
- Blade Engraving (up to 20 letters in alphabet or Japanese kanji, let us know the exact words or kanji you want through the LEAVE A NOTE WITH YOUR ORDER option!)
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FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING
*This knife is made from steel, so it is normal for a certain amount of rust to form over time. Please use the sharpening stone included with your order to remove any rust.
*Depending on the number of orders and smithy availability, it can occasionally take up to 3 weeks for your knife to ship. Please allow an additional 2-5 weeks for international shipping.
*Depending on the value of your order and local import rules in your country, you may be required to pay additional import taxes when your package arrives.
Minomo Blacksmith: Three Generations Upholding 200 Years of Craft in Kumamoto
AS FEATURED ON YOUTUBE
Step inside the Minomo forge to see how blades are still made by hand, through heat, precision, and family tradition.
OVERVIEW
Nestled in the quiet mountain town of Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto, Minomo Blacksmith has shaped iron into tools of precision for over two centuries.
The forge, active since the late 1700s, continues today as a rare example of multigenerational blacksmithing, where three generations work side by side to preserve the craft. Despite floods, fires, and changing times, their workshop endures, driven by family, legacy, and a relentless commitment to quality.
PHILOSOPHY AND PROCESS
Minomo blades begin with a steel core of Aogami #2, known for its sharpness and hardness, encased in a softer iron jacket. The process demands exact control: heating the metals to around 1100°C, inserting the steel into hand-cut openings, and forging them together into a single billet.
Every step, from hammering to quenching, is done by hand, in-house, and with purpose.
Blade Making as a Dialogue
Each knife is shaped through careful feedback between craftsman and material. From rough grinding to precision polishing, the smiths assess the curve, thickness, and hardness of every blade.
Natural whetstones, such as Amakusa, are used in the final stages to bring out a mirror-like edge, an unmistakable sign of Minomo’s finish. No blade leaves the forge without first bearing its maker’s engraved mark, a seal of personal accountability.
Craft as Continuity
The 8th-generation patriarch Yutaka still comes to the forge regularly, even at age 89. He is joined by his son Minoru (9th generation) and grandson Isamu (10th generation), who each bring different experiences but a shared respect for the work.
Minoru initially resisted passing the forge down, knowing how unstable a craftsman’s life could be. But when his son asked to work together while his grandfather was still strong, the answer became clear: keep the forge burning, together.
MESSAGE FROM THE MAKERS
“I’ve worked here since I was 17. I’m 89 now. What brings me joy is working together with my son and grandson,” says Yutaka.
Minoru adds, “I didn’t want my son to take on the same hardships I faced. But he wanted to carry the flame forward. And now, I’m proud to see him growing into the role.
Isamu reflects, “If I make something dull, it would betray everything my father and grandfather built. I want to be worthy of the trust they’ve passed down.”
The Minomo forge is more than a workshop. It’s a living testament to persistence, family, and the belief that one well-forged blade can speak louder than words.
How to Sharpen your knife
Caring for your knife will make it last you for decades. After use, wash it with clean hot water, dry it off thoroughly, and place it in newspaper to prevent rusting. Check out the video below for more information on how to sharpen your knife with a sharpening stone, and how to store it safely.