Collection: Itsuo Doi

In February 2023, I had the honor of meeting Sakai blacksmith Itsuo Doi personally in his workshop and accompanying him at work.

The Doi family has been forging blades for three generations now, using the same technique that has been passed down for centuries. Self-discipline and craftsmanship, along with tradition, have always been an essential part of blade production.

The special feature of Doi-san knives is that the individual layers are forged or fire-welded together at the lowest possible temperature. This technique, which is difficult to master, guarantees a much harder cutting edge and a long edge retention. The carbon steel processed in this way also becomes more elastic and resistant thanks to this technique.

In the past, the Doi family and the current master blacksmith Itsuo Doi only produced traditional single-sided sharpened knives, but as Japanese knives are becoming increasingly popular in the Western world, double-sided sharpened knives have also been added to the range.