THE S H I N O G I
Our Story
The Shinogi (鎬) refers to the defining ridge on a Japanese blade where its flat body (hira) begins to taper, forming the cutting edge (kireha) to meet the cutting edge (Hasaki). More than just a line in the steel, the shinogi is a critical feature that governs both a blade’s geometry (how it cuts) and its visual appeal. In traditional swords and knives, the clarity of this line is considered a signature of the smith's skill and a true measure of the blade's quality. It is a line of strength, a defining feature that separates the flat of the blade from its edge geometry. For us, The Shinogi represents the fine line between a simple tool and a work of art and all the effort that goes into creating them.
Kevin started cooking from an early age, learning from his mom. One of the first dishes he learned to cook was a simple fried rice. For most of his life, it was simply a means to an end: he liked food to taste a certain way, and the best way for that to happen was if he was in control of the ingredients. After he and his wife traveled to Japan for the first time and brought home some Japanese knives, things changed. He immediately noticed a difference in food prep with his new knives: cutting and slicing no longer felt like a chore—in fact, there were times where it felt like the ingredients wanted to split for the blade. Things like cutting technique and having different knife profiles for different ingredients started to matter. He started on a long and seemingly unending quest for knowledge about Japanese knives and their craftsmen.
One thing that Kevin held onto was the memories associated with purchasing each knife every time he would pull the knife off the magnet block. Every use of the knives would remind him of the positively delightful experience it was to meet the craftsman who dedicated their lives to perfecting their skills. It was this feeling of delight and joy that propelled him to starting this venture.
Each piece we offer is hand-selected, not just for its performance, but for its story, its lineage, and its unique character. We work in extremely limited quantities because we deal with individual smiths and small workshops where quality is paramount and production is never rushed. Additionally, we want to simulate the knife selection process as closely as possible to our customers. We do this by giving every individual knife its own photoshoot so that users will get to select the exact knife they want to purchase, especially helpful in situations when we receive multiples of the same knife. When you purchase a knife from The Shinogi, you are not just acquiring a tool; you are potentially becoming the custodian of a piece of history—a functional work of art that can serve you for a lifetime when treated correctly.
A Glimpse Into Our World
Enami-San's Workshop
Konosuke Team in Sakai
Legendary Sharpener Ivan Fonseca
Legendary Sharpener Takada San
Nakagawa San's Workshop Tour
Sharpeners Nishida San And Wakae San of Baba Hamono
Shibata San - Owner of Knife Gallery
Takashi San and Shu-San from Baba Hamono