[2025] This year's Sakaitoku
I am Okudaira, the owner of "Japanese Kitchen Knife TOKU''.
We want to sell knives made in our hometown of Sakai, Osaka, so we purchase and sell knives made in Sakai from a knife manufacturer in Sakai.
We don't just sell knives, we visit a number of blacksmiths and bladesmiths in Sakai to help our customers understand knives, experience the actual work, and hear from the craftsmen. I'm here. In addition to Sakai, we also visit Seki in Gifu, Tsubame-Sanjo in Niigata, Tanegashima in Kagoshima and Katsushika in Tokyo, in an effort to deepen our understanding of the characteristics and commitment of each.
This year's Sakaitoku
Once again, happy new year.
Thank you for your continued support this year.
Well, this time, as this year's Sakaitoku, I would like to talk about what Sakaitoku Knives is planning to do this year.
Last year, in order to get the online shopping site off the ground, we explored ways to use advertising and social media , visited markets to sharpen knives, and held knife sharpening classes.
As a result, we have seen some success and a clear direction in our advertising strategy, so we will be expanding it this year. As for the on-site sharpening at markets, there were good times and bad times, depending on the timing, but we were able to benefit from having repeat customers and being able to talk to them directly.
The biggest benefit I felt was the knife sharpening class. There were more people than I expected who wanted to sharpen their own knives. I felt it was great to be able to talk to the students and hear their honest opinions on how they normally use their knives and what kind of knives they want.
Well, taking into account what happened last year, we have decided to open a physical store this year!
The store is located in Asakusa. It is not in Kappabashi, by the way. It is located right next to Tobu Asakusa Station. It is not on the first floor so it is not very noticeable, but this is where we will be selling knives, whetstones, cutting boards, etc. and holding sharpening classes.
By securing a permanent location, we are considering providing a place where people can sharpen their knives themselves in their free time, in addition to holding sharpening classes. Artificial whetstones are usually purchased without trying them out, but by providing a sharpening space, people will be able to try out the whetstones they want to buy before they buy them.
Of course, we also provide a resharpening service. If you have a knife that is difficult to sharpen yourself, or if you need a proper sharpening service, we can help upon request. Depending on the level of sharpening, we can handle anything from returning the knife on the same day to keeping it for a thorough sharpening.
I also want to collect unwanted knives and restore them to usable condition.
I want to take on as many opportunities as I can, and increase the number of opportunities I can receive.
There is a lot to learn every day and I don't think it will ever end, but I look forward to your continued support this year.
Let's go to a knife store!
Let's go to a knife store!
If you don't understand it until you see it, go to a knife store and try holding a knife. However, most stores do not allow you to try cutting the knife, so you cannot check the sharpness before purchasing.
"Japanese Kitchen Knife TOKU'' does not have a store, but we set up stalls at events, so please feel free to stop by if we have one in your area.If there is no knife specialty store nearby, it is a good idea to purchase from an online knife specialty store.
"Japanese Kitchen Knife TOKU'' has posted a video showing the actual cutting process, so please use it as reference.