Gihei Knives

Gihei has been producing knives in Niigata Prefecture since 1928, and owner Atsushi Hosokawa has built a reputation for being one of the more forward-thinking blacksmiths in the region — willing to work with high-performance modern steels that most small shops do not bother with. The HAP40 line is the standout: a semi-stainless high-speed tool steel capable of exceptional hardness and edge retention that has developed a devoted following among collectors and serious cooks.