Frequently asked questions
Ordering
How do I order?
Send a request from any knife page or the request form. We reply with a delivered price in USD and a lead time. You pay by card or PayPal through an invoice. We then buy, check, pack and ship the knife.
Why is there no cart?
Prices in yen change daily and stock at small makers changes weekly. A quote confirmed the same day is more honest than a cart price that might be wrong by the time you check out. A cart will come once volume justifies it.
Can you find a knife that is not on the site?
Yes, that is most of what we do. Name the maker, line, length and steel, or describe what you want, and we source it from the maker or a wholesaler in Japan and quote it.
Do you offer engraving?
Yes. Kanji or roman-letter engraving on the blade, on most stainless and carbon knives, for a small fee. It adds one to three days.
Left-handed knives?
Double-bevel knives (gyuto, santoku, nakiri, petty, bunka) work for either hand. Single-bevel knives (deba, yanagiba, usuba) are made left-handed to order, two to six weeks, at a higher price.
Shipping and duties
Do I pay US customs duties when the knife arrives?
No. The US suspended its $800 duty-free de minimis exemption in 2025, so every parcel from Japan owes duty. We prepay it. Nothing is owed on delivery.
How long does shipping take?
Three to ten days door to door, tracked and insured, by DHL, FedEx or EMS.
Is it legal to import Japanese kitchen knives into the US?
Yes. Kitchen knives are ordinary goods with no federal blade-length limit. State restrictions concern switchblades and carrying, not kitchen cutlery.
The knives
Are these genuine, or export-grade versions?
They are the same knives sold in Japan, bought from the maker or their Japanese wholesaler. We do not buy from third-party marketplaces.
Will a carbon steel knife rust?
It will discolor (patina) and it will rust if left wet. Wipe it dry after use and it lasts decades. If that sounds like a chore, buy stainless; see the carbon vs stainless guide.
Do the knives come sharp?
Yes, with the maker's factory edge, which on a Japanese knife is very sharp. Some makers ship a slightly conservative edge meant to be refined on a stone; we tell you if that is the case.
What about a warranty?
Japanese makers do not offer Western-style lifetime warranties. Manufacturing defects are replaced. Chips from misuse (frozen food, bones with a thin knife, dishwasher) are not covered, but we can arrange repair or re-grinding in Japan at cost.
Still have a question? Ask us, we reply within a business day.