Ohno Knife Factory began in 1916 in Seki City, originally producing pocket knives before expanding into kitchen knives. In the 1990s, financial struggles prompted a major shift: the company began creating high-end, visually striking knives and brought over 100 production processes in-house to regain control and improve quality.
This shift led to a partnership with Kai Corporation in 2000, producing knives for the “Shun” brand, which gained global acclaim. Their products became known for their elegant Damascus patterns and cutting performance, leading to millions of knives shipped worldwide and multiple industry awards.
Since 2010, Ohno has embraced automation and IoT, balancing machine precision with traditional hand-finishing techniques. Their innovation now extends beyond kitchen knives into industrial blades and smart factory systems, making them a model of modern manufacturing in Japan. The company continues evolving, guided by a century-old spirit of craftsmanship and a forward-thinking vision.
