Morimoto

Hand Engraving Kasumi polish (Haze-polish) Craftsman

Sakai City, Osaka

A craftsman from Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture with over 28 years of experience. Mamoru Morimoto is a skilled sharpening craftsman who handles everything from rough grinding to final sharpening for knives forged by blacksmiths in Sakai. Born into a family of sharpeners that has continued for three generations, he has honed his sharpening skills from a young age. He carefully shapes the blade starting with rough stones, then moves through medium and finishing stones, creating knives that combine sharpness, durability, and beauty.

View Products

“As I kept training and improving my skills, I gradually came to believe that I could make knives that sell. I think that belief is what’s kept me going.”

About Morimoto Knives

This collection features a variety of knife types, including the Koyanagi, Petty, and Santoku, each designed for specific culinary tasks. Each knife in the Morimoto Craftsman Collection is a testament to Genki Morimoto's dedication to his craft, requiring meticulous attention to detail and time-honored techniques to complete. Finishes like Kasumi and Kurouchi enhance the aesthetic appeal, while handles made from materials like buffalo ebony and black Ishime Urushi provide a comfortable and durable grip.

What are Morimoto Knives made of?

The blades are crafted from high-quality steels such as White Steel #2 (Shirogami #2) and Silver Steel #3, known for their exceptional sharpness and edge retention. Shirogami #2 (White Steel #2) is typically hardened to a Rockwell hardness (HRC) of 61-62, offering exceptional sharpness, ease of sharpening, and reliable edge retention. In contrast, Silver Steel #3 is usually hardened to an HRC of 60-61, providing excellent corrosion resistance alongside a balanced combination of sharpness, toughness, and durability.