Yoshihiro Yauji Knives

Yoshihiro Yauji is a skilled blacksmith from Echizen, Japan, forging exceptional knives at the Takefu Knife Village, a cooperative preserving the region’s centuries-old bladesmithing tradition.
Born in 1983, he developed a passion for steel tools through childhood DIY projects, eventually apprenticing under master Hideo Kitaoka in 2003 for over 15 years before launching his own brand in 2019. Specializing in single-bevel knives crafted from Aogami #2 and Ginsan steels, often with striking Damascus finishes, Yauji’s blades are celebrated for their sharpness, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. Working solo from his workshop, he handles every step—forging, grinding, finishing, and sharpening—infusing each knife with a personal touch that reflects Takefu's mission of preserving Japan's heritage and innovation in Japanese knifemaking.

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.