Mazaki Knives

Mazaki Knives are handcrafted by Naoki Mazaki, a young and talented blacksmith based in Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, known for its rich knife-making heritage.

Working solo in his small workshop, Mazaki forges each blade himself, using traditional high-carbon steels like Shirogami #2 and Aogami, often clad in iron or stainless steel, to create knives with exceptional sharpness and edge retention. His journey began with an apprenticeship at Yoshikane Hamono, followed by training under master Kiyoshi Kato, shaping his distinctive style—robust yet refined blades with rustic kurouchi or polished migaki finishes. Known for their aggressive distal taper and evolving profiles, Mazaki knives blend workhorse durability with laser-like precision, earning a devoted following among chefs in the know. Each piece still reflects his commitment to traditional methods as they are all finished by hand on natural whetstones for a personal touch.

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.