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Why Japanese Chef’s Knives Are So Expensive

Japanese chef’s knives are some of the most expensive knives in the world. Just one knife produced at Takamura Hamono in Echizen, Japan can cost $900. Echizen has been the centre of Japanese knife making for hundreds of years, and today, it’s where many artisans spend decades learning to make high-quality cutlery.

At Takamura Hamono, artisans spend over 10 years learning how to properly hammer, sharpen, and polish each blade. The knives are used in many of the world’s best restaurants, including Noma in Copenhagen and Le Bernardin in New York City.