Who makes Tojiro knives?
Tojiro was founded in 1955 in Tsubame-Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture, one of Japan's oldest metalworking regions. The company started by making stainless steel fruit knives and gradually expanded into a full range of professional cutlery. Production has stayed in the same area ever since, close to the craftspeople and suppliers that helped build the brand. You can browse our full selection of Tojiro knives at Cutting Edge Knives, where we stock a carefully chosen range for UK customers.
What makes Tojiro stand out
When Tojiro started producing stainless steel blades in Japan, getting them sharp enough to compete with carbon steel was genuinely difficult. They figured it out, and many of their craftsmen now hold certification as Niigata Traditional Artisans. The range covers hand-finished carbon steel, VG10 Damascus, and multi-layer stainless constructions, in both Western profiles and traditional Japanese shapes including gyuto, santoku, and nakiri.
The DP series is the one most people start with. It uses a VG10 stainless steel core for good edge retention, with stainless cladding that keeps maintenance simple. The price is accessible, but it does not feel like a budget knife once you pick it up. Cooks moving into Japanese knives for the first time tend to find the balance and fit reassuring rather than intimidating.
Which Tojiro knife is right for you?
It depends on how you cook. A gyuto is the Japanese equivalent of a chef's knife and handles most kitchen tasks without fuss. A santoku is shorter and slightly more manoeuvrable, which suits a lot of home cooks. If you are looking at Japanese knives under £100, Tojiro offers some of the best build quality at that price.
- Gyuto: versatile all-rounder, good for daily prep
- Santoku: slightly shorter, works well for home cooks
- Nakiri: flat-edged blade built specifically for vegetables
- Sujihiki: long slicing knife for proteins and fish
If your budget goes further, Japanese knives from £100 to £175 open up higher-end Tojiro lines with more refined finishes and steel options. For a broader comparison, our range of all-rounder Japanese chef knives is worth a look too.
Shop Tojiro knives at Cutting Edge Knives
We have been stocking Japanese knives since 2011 from our base in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire. Tojiro has been a consistent recommendation throughout that time, for cooks at every level. The balance between traditional craft and solid modern production is rare at this price. Browse the full range in our Tojiro knife collection.
