Handmade in Miki, Japan

Michihamono is a carving-knife manufacturer with a long history, located in Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture, known as the home of blade-making in Japan.

Each and every one of our carving knives is produced by hand by professional craftsmen at our company plant. We aim to provide our customers with handmade knives that have a human touch, and to create blades that are perfectly tailored to their needs. In particular, as we produce each individual knife, we pay the utmost care to sharpness, which is what gives a blade its life but is frequently neglected by other manufacturers. The joy and exhilaration each user feels when they first cut into wood with one of our carving knives is our greatest joy.

Workshop stocked with hinoki wood for knife handles

Historical background

Why Miki City prospered as metal-working locale

In ancient times, Korean blacksmithing skills were combined with the traditional blacksmithing techniques of Japan's Banshu region, resulting in major technological advances. After the Siege of Miki in the late 16th century, the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi implemented various measures for the reconstruction of the damaged city. These measures resulted in the revitalization of commerce and industry, and created the foundation for the local metalworking industry that is still thriving today.

Originally, our company manufactured sickles for rice harvesting on consignment, but to adapt to the changing times, we transformed ourselves into a manufacturer of carving knives.

Commitment to craftsmanship in blade making

The knife-making process

How blades for high-speed steel carving knives are made

1: Procured material (high-speed steel, cold rolled finishing material) — The thickness is made uniform using cold rolled steel.

2: Pressing out the external shape — The material is cut to each size.

3: Press bending — The material is pressed to add the curve.

4: Inner grinding — The inner edge is given a rough grind.

5: Rough exterior grinding 1 — Both outer edges are given a rough surface grind.

6: Rough exterior grinding 2 — The outside is ground to give it a smooth curve.

7: Heat treatment — Heat treatment is applied.

8: Inner polish — The inner edge is given a finishing polish.

9: Outer polish and rough sharpening — The blade is given a rough sharpening and the outer edge is given a finishing polish.

10: Finishing blade sharpening — The blade is given the finishing sharpening.

11: Finishing buff and application of rust-proof varnish — Rust-proof varnish is applied after the finishing buff of the blade to complete the work.

How cherry wood handles for high-speed steel carving knives are made

1: Raw woodblock

2: Cutting — An appropriately-sized piece is cut from the wood.

3: Splitting — The piece is split in two for sandwiching the blade. Each piece is numbered the same for identification.

4: Boring — A hole is drilled for sandwiching the blade.

5: Gluing — The two pieces with the same number from step 3 are fixed together and the wood grains are painstakingly aligned.

6: External oblong shaving — The exterior is shaved down to an oblong profile to prevent rolling when laid down.

7: Detailed carving of the blade fitting — The blade fitting part of the handle (that holds the actual knife in place) is carved in detail.

8: Buffing — The exterior of the handle is buffed.

9: End work — The end of the handle is worked.

10: Waxing — Wax is applied and polished to give the handle shine.

11: Attachment — The blade is attached to complete the work.

Our craftsmen

Each carving knife is completed through the cooperation of a variety of specialized craftsmen. No knife could be completed without the cooperation of every single one of them. They are absolutely essential.

  • Blade craftsman sharpening carving knives at the grinding wheel

    Blade craftsman

    The blade craftsman works the steel material to create the blades for our knives.

  • Wooden handle blanks for woodblock carving knives

    Wooden handle craftsman

    The wooden handle craftsman works the wood that comprises our handles.

  • Inspection craftsman checking a finished knife with a loupe

    Inspection and shipment craftsman

    The inspection and shipment craftsman verifies the quality of each finished knife before shipping it.

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Measuring a blade with a digital caliper during quality control

Consistent quality control and reliable after-service

Our dedicated quality control staff closely inspect each item before shipment to ensure that every single product we make arrives in our customers' hands with the same trusted level of quality. Furthermore, we manufacture our carving knives with layered steel blades that are 85 mm from tip to base so that they can be sharpened again and again when they begin losing their edge. If you find it difficult to sharpen the blades yourself, we provide sharpening after-service to ensure you can enjoyably use our blades for as long as possible. Because we produce all our blades entirely in-house, without the involvement of any subcontractors, we are able to provide excellent after-service.

Company history

1973 — Commenced business as Michihamono factory, began selling a display set of DIY carpentry tools

1977 — Began manufacturing carving knives

1979 — Restructured company as Michihamono K. K.

1982 — Began manufacturing carving knives with high-speed steel

1984 — Began manufacturing and selling carving knives for woodblock carving

1987 — Began selling "sosaku baren" tools used in woodblock printing

2010 — Moved the Tokyo Sales Office and opened the Antenna Shop CARVY

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