Most Japanese knife wisdom in London emanates from the six elegant branches of this small emporium. The HQ is on Baker Street (just along from the Royal China and down from Selfridges, for which it might be auditioning; the knives get the same kind of respect that a Rolex watch or a Nespreso machine might get up the road). There are other outlets in Paris and Stockholm.
The steel is from Yasuki City, Shimane province, on the north coast opposite Korea.. The spring water, the pine charcoal are, the Japanese say, what gives their forges the edge. The shops are known as hamonoya, places of pilgrimage to a craft. Explanations of why Japanese cooking is so precise. Objects of desire for sure for anyone who cooks. They are laid out like antiquarian bookshops specialising in first editions.. There are more than 15 brands, 250 blades or 2,000 in total online, plus other things Japanese even sushi classes. There is a studio for advice and to try out knives and also a sharpening service. Prices are predictably top end – a Saji craft Santoku 170mm might be £579, which if you thought was expensive try out the cult Houenryu Walnut Yanagiba at £3,599-£4333, but there are more affordable options from £30+ and sets can work out, as usual, less expensive and offer more show on the knife rack. A £95 gets you a Kyocera Shin Black Ceramic Chef’s Knife 180mm. The shop also sells all things Japanese kitchen from sharpeners to cutters to a melon boiler – that is actually a literal, it is a baller, and sets for carving. Also engraving, and fish tweezers. The blacksmith’s profiles make quite a photo display . It is not actually Japanese owned but Jayesh Patel spent 10 years working with knives in Japan and opened his first shop with his wife Miranda 25 years ago. It is his passion project.
34-36 Baker Street, London W1U 3EU
