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Takefu Knife Village The village was formed decades ago as a different approach to knife making. Traditional arrangements include a master and an apprentice. The Takefu model is more like a collective where many masters and apprentices work under one roof.  Named after the old city, Takefu is located in Echizen. Bordered by countryside, most people arrive by via train. Be ready to grab a taxi for a 10-15 min ride to the workshops.   Train Station Find a taxi outside the JR train line station. Show a map with a pin on the village to a taxi driver. You'll likely arrive...

French Pocket Knives, Timeless Design Opinel knives, born in the workshops of Savoie, France were humble tools for the working class.  Today they're cherished emblems of timeless craftsmanship and practicality. With a legacy spanning over a century, these wooden-handled knives have garnered admiration worldwide, from farmers and herdsmen to artists like Pablo Picasso, who famously wielded an Opinel knife as a sculpting tool. At The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Opinel Knives are featured alongside brands like Porsche and Rolex in an exhibit "the 100 most beautiful products in the world." Renowned for their simple elegance and unmatched reliability,...

Kikuichi Knife Makers Osaka, Nara, Sakai - Japan Author: Joseph   Getting There 12+ hours... on a flight... then a bus... then dinner. Just try to stay awake.  I got lucky and landed in Tokyo early. I stumbled my way through the international terminal onto a bus and over to the domestic side of the airport to get on an earlier flight to Osaka with ~10 minutes to spare. I was treated to a seat on a 787 on a blue sky day. A few minutes into the flight Mt. Fuji appeared. Now I ask for the mountainside window seat on...

Grilling Season Kits Add a spice rub to your knife purchase, in-store. ABOUTIt’s grillin’ time! You’ve got a new slicing knife, now what to make? Enjoy a custom blend of grilling spices generated from decades of Peter’s kitchen experience to enhance the flavor on your table. When to salt is half of cooking. :) For instance, mushrooms and roasted vegetables get salted after cooking, proteins before cooking. Prep: 10 mins | Cook: TBD HOW Select a protein. Consider lamb, chicken, beef, etc. Toss with spice mix - included Marinate overnight Cook and enjoy SELECT Berbere is a key ingredient in...