Yoshiaki Fujiwara

NOTE: I do not take any preorders or custom orders for Shigefusa or Yoshiaki Fujiwara knives !

Please read more about it here: Kato and Shigefusa 

Yoshiaki Fujiwara is the knife name of Kiyoshi Kato — a third generation licensed swordsmith born in Tokyo in 1944. He trained from age 20 under his grandfather Kanekuni Kato and his father Sanehira Kato, received his sword smith licence in 1999, and has been making kitchen knives since 1977. His workshop is in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture.

What makes these knives unusual is the quenching technique. Mr. Kato quenches with charcoal and water, which gives his blades a hardness rarely seen in clad knives. The feel is very similar to Honyaki — incredibly stiff with almost no flex. That stiffness and precision comes through immediately when you cut with them.

I have been testing his knives for some time and I can say the performance is remarkable — in my opinion on the same level as Shigefusa and in some cases even beyond. That surprised a lot of people at first, because the finish is not flashy. But the cutting performance speaks for itself.

All knives are carbon clad and can rust. They need basic care — wipe dry after use.