Gihei Knives

Gihei Knives, crafted in Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, are the work of Atsushi Hosokawa and his son Takashi, a father-son duo representing the fourth and fifth generations of a family forge founded in 1928 by Kouhei Hosokawa.
From their small workshop, they forge exceptional kitchen knives using both traditional Hitachi steels like Aogami and Shirogami and cutting-edge alloys such as ZDP-189 and HAP-40, known for their extreme hardness and edge retention. Atsushi, who began in 1956, and Takashi, starting in 1995, blend heritage techniques with innovation, earning praise for heat treatment and durability. Their blades, often featuring magnolia handles and a signature horse symbol tied to the Shibata-ya nickname, cater to chefs seeking precision and longevity. This small, family-run operation continues a legacy tracing back to the late Edo era, balancing tradition with modern steel mastery.

High-performance kitchen cutlery delivers its best results only when properly maintained. Check out our knife sharpening services for home cooks and professionals alike or our strops and stones section for all of your at home sharpening tools.