Sakai, Osaka - A City Known for Its Traditional Japanese Cutlery This video, titled "手技TEWAZA「堺打刃物」Japan Sakai Forged Knife／伝統工芸 青山スクエア Japan traditional crafts Aoyama Square" introduces Osaka's Sakai cutlery. The video was released by Japan Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square. Sakai knives are produced in Sakai, Osaka. Blacksmiths in Sakai forge beautiful knives that are truly works of art. The city of Sakai has developed together with the traditional culture of knife-making. The History and Culture of Sakai Cutlery, a Traditional Japanese Craft Source :YouTube screenshot The history of Sakai cutlery dates back to the 16th century. Tobacco was introduced from Portugal around this time, and tobacco knives for chopping tobacco leaves began to be made in Sakai, Osaka. In the Edo Period (1603-1867), the shogunate granted the city a seal of quality certification and allowed the city to sell these knives exclusively, making Sakai famous as a major producer of cutlery. Even today, there are many factories in Sakai that manufacture a wide variety of knives, including deba bocho knives. How Traditional Sakai Knives Are Made Source :YouTube screenshot The manufacturing process of Sakai knives is roughly divided into three parts: forging, sharpening, and patterning, each of which is performed by a different craftsman. After casting the raw metal, blacksmiths use annealing, quenching, and tempering techniques to increase the hardness and sharpness of the blade. The techniques used for Sakai cutlery are used to make deba bocho (fish cutting knives), chef's knives, and even scissors and other bladed tools. In this video, you can see the welding at 0:33, rough grinding at 1:54, and sharpening from 2:22. The techniques used in Sakai cutlery are used not only for making deba bocho and chef's knives, but also for making scissors. Purchasing High-Quality Sakai Cutlery Source :YouTube screenshot If you're looking to purchase high-quality Sakai cutlery, opt for a prestigious brand. Today, there are more than 20 traditional artisans in the world of Sakai cutlery who continue to make high quality knives. Recommended brands include Sakai Ichiji, Kamoshita and Naojiro. Knives forged by master artisans are different from the ones you'll find in a department store. You can buy Sakai cutlery in stores as well as online, so choose one that fits your purposes and price range. Be sure to utilize the Sakai Cutlery Material Laboratory (堺刃物素材研究所), which sells and refinishes Sakai cutlery. You can see a completed Sakai knife at 3:10 in the video. Summary of Sakai Cutlery Source :YouTube screenshot As shown in the video, Sakai Cutlery is a traditional craft produced by the craftsmen of Sakai, Osaka. The knife industry in Osaka is supported by the skilled craftsmanship of blacksmiths. Be sure to purchase a high-quality Sakai knife to experience the epitome of sharpness.

A Look at Five Outdoor Knives for Any Camping Situation! This video, titled "Recommended [5 outdoor knives] Which is the most popular one?" was released by "solo camp & camp cooking in Japan TANA channe." It introduces popular camping equipment, including outdoor knives. Outdoor knives can be used for many purposes, such as cooking, for use in bushcraft, and in worst case scenarios to chop wood, or as a survival tool in the event of a disaster. The video describes the feel and weight of the knives as well, so be sure to use it as a refence when purchasing an outdoor knife in Japan! The Different Outdoor Knives Introduced in the Video Source :YouTube screenshot Introduced from 1:53 is Opinel Knives’ "Opinel Carbon # 9" and "Stainless Steel # 7" which are made of carbon steel. Introduced from 8:04 is Kai’s "Shun" series knife which is a Santoku knife that is ideal for cutting apples and other fruits when cooking outdoors. Tana also recommends the Swedish brand "Mora Knife," Mcusta's "Damascus Knife," and the large Hogue Knife “EX-F01 Combat Knife." Choosing an Outdoor Knife Shown in the Video Photo：Various outdoor knives Outdoor knives can be purchased not only at specialty stores, but also online and at home improvement stores across Japan. The most popular are outdoor knives and tool knives that are made in Japan. We recommend checking out the various types (universal/specialized, etc.), the material (steel, carbon, etc.), the grind (flat grind/hollow grind, etc.), and the safety features, such as lock functionality, as well as cost performance when looking for the knife that is right for your outdoor experience. Also, check the material and durability of the blade, the length of the blade, and the portability, including whether or not it can be folded. When purchasing an outdoor knife in Japan be careful not to infringe on the Firearm and Sword Possession Control Law! Maintenance and Sharpening of Outdoor Knives Source :YouTube screenshot If you neglect proper maintenance on your outdoor knife after using it and put it back into its sheath it may rust while in storage. Be sure to clean your knife with a neutral detergent and lukewarm water. At 3:30, you can also see how a whetstone is used to sharpen a knife. Summary of Various Outdoor Knives for Camping In addition to the ones shown in the video, there are various other types of outdoor knives, including camping knives, Swiss army knives, folding knives, and more. If you get a knife to bring on camping trips, you can enjoy outdoor cooking and making excellent camping meals. Find the outdoor knife that works best for you and get out and enjoy the great outdoors!