Toshihiro Wakui is a master bladesmith hailing from Sanjo, renowned for his exceptional forging technique and attention to detail. Every knife he produces features a pronounced distal taper from heel to tip and spine to edge, ensuring superior geometry. With highly polished spines and choils, his work feels perfectly balanced and incredibly comfortable in hand.

With over 25 years of experience, Toshihiro Wakui’s journey began in his family’s workshop forging crowbars. When automation began to replace the demand for handmade tools, he pivoted his mastery of steel toward kitchen knives. Nineteen years ago, he began an intensive apprenticeship at the renowned Yoshikane Hamono, often working a full shift at the crowbar factory before heading straight to Yoshikane for a second shift. Four years into this rigorous training, he launched his own brand. Today, Wakui-san operates as a solo artisan; his work is so highly sought after that his current backorder exceeds two years.