Nakagawa

Nakagawa represents the next generation of traditional Japanese bladesmithing excellence from Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture. Founded in 2021 by Satoshi Nakagawa, the brand emerged after his intensive 16-year apprenticeship under master blacksmith Kenichi Shiraki. Despite its recent establishment, Nakagawa has quickly gained recognition for producing some of the most technically demanding knives in the world, with Satoshi becoming one of only four smiths worldwide capable of crafting Shiroichi Mizu Honyaki knives.

The brand specializes in both honyaki (single-piece forged) and Damascus-clad knives, working primarily with premium carbon steels including white steel (#1 and #3) and blue steel (#1 and #2). Nakagawa's expertise extends to water-quenched blades, a particularly challenging technique that requires exceptional skill and precision. His dedication to traditional Sakai craftsmanship earned him certification as the youngest traditional craftsman in Sakai in 2023, a remarkable achievement that underscores his mastery of centuries-old forging techniques.

Nakagawa produces both single and double bevel knives, catering to professional chefs and serious home cooks who demand exceptional edge retention and cutting performance. While the brand is renowned for its carbon steel offerings, it also creates stainless steel knives using Ginsan (silver-3) for those seeking lower-maintenance options without sacrificing quality.

Each Nakagawa knife represents a fusion of traditional Japanese bladesmithing heritage and contemporary precision. The water-quenched honyaki blades showcase the smith's ability to control extreme heat treatment processes, resulting in exceptionally hard, sharp edges with beautiful hamon (temper lines). For collectors and culinary professionals seeking authentic Sakai craftsmanship from an emerging master, Nakagawa offers blades that honor centuries of tradition while pushing the boundaries of what's possible in modern knife-making.