definitely recommend it.

A couple of days later we took a cooking class. When another lady in the class asked our teacher where to get a good knife in Kyoto, the teacher replied Aritsugu. When I mentioned that we had bought knives from Shigeharu, the teacher became very animated and exclaimed “Shigeharu?! He’s very famous!” She was pretty impressed and wanted to know how we’d heard of Shigeharu.

Not much to go on, and I’m not an expert on knives. Also, this isn’t a comparison to Aritsugu. Have to say though, I was a little chuffed that I’d bought a knife off the bloke who made it.

I’d buy from there again – in fact we did. We returned to buy a small pair of scissors for my mother.

I have just visited the various Kyoto knive manufacturers’ shops and what a difference in quality, price and atmosphere. Sure you can buy your favourite knife in any of the different places. I will only mention two: Aritsugu is fine if you look for a well-illuminated and (over-)stocked shop, perfectly English-spoken service, your name on the knife as a special – but you really pay for it! Personally, I found that it very much looks and feels like a tourist trap (even a nice one with reasonably good tools but sky-high prices).

In the end I was very satisfied with what I saw and bought at Shigeharu. A far more authetic place, in which the owner speaks no English, but with a smaller but full range of marvellous knives costs approximately 30% of Aritsugu’s price range. My Japanese friends buy from Shigeharu for years and are very happy with the durability and long term sharpness of his knives. I shaved the back of my hand with one stroke in the shop with both his 30cm carbon steel sashimi knife and the 27cm Inox chef’s knife.

Would buy there any time again. The place is easy to find just diagonally across the street on the southeastern corner of Nijo castle and then one block further down south.

I thought knives at both places were relatively similar. I bought from Shigeharu (stainless steel wrapped carbon) because the knives were about 30% less than at Aritsugu – and we met the person who actually made the knives. The Shigeharu knives felt to me to be more genuine and hand made.

Shigeharu also sold me a whetstone

I only went to Aritsugu as my friend grew up in Kyoto and took me there as the best knife shop in Kyoto, he is not a chef though
My experience was fantastic. The shop was fairly busy but only what you would expect from a well know shop. I do hear you about the loud tourists though!! Even through all that they took the time to take out about 10 different knives for me to feel and weigh in my hands and to feel which was most comfortable for me. They answered all my questions and even asked me a few to find the correct blade for me. I ended up with a Deba style knife as I have a good thinner blade chefs knife and paring knife and wanted something thicker and stronger. I also ended up with a few other small items, as you do

I payed cash so did not notice the lack of a CC machine but that is not surprising as my Japanese girlfriend pointed out that that is more traditional.

I had my name stamped on it and was extremely happy with the knife and the service but I will definitely try the other shops on my next visit.

Happy cooking.

Still I had a great experience in Aritsugu. They were very helpful but no credit card facilities. Had walk 5 mins find an ATM to complete my purchase (did find a great donut shop on the way – Hara Donuts).

Kintaka is probably the best bargain in Kyoto. The owner makes his own knives, but because his family has made them for only a few generations(!) he can’t charge as much. Also, if he likes you, he gives big discounts. The finishing work isn’t quite as good, but they are excellent blades. He does forge by hand his stainless knives (don’t get confused, as he sells some other knives as well – check the stamp) and they are about as good as you are gonna get without going carbon. I use one for acid foods all the time.

For the absolute best selection, go 30 mins away to Ichimonji Mitsuhide in Dogoyasuji in Osaka, they have 5 times the knives of Artisugu, but but the service isn’t quite the same.

Shigeharu is fine, but has relatively little selection, non of the innovation that Aritsugu has with their carbon/stainless-clad hybrids, doesn’t quite meet the quality of top Sakai work, and is more expensive than Kintaka.

i happened to walk into Aritsugu before finding your blog and walked out before making a purchase. something felt strange when i was there so i left. the knives were beautiful without a doubt, but it just didn’t feel right. just wanted to thank you for taking the time to write up your post as it steered me towards a very memorable experience at Shigeharu. when i walked in all i heard was someone hammering in the back for a couple minutes until his (wife?) came out holding a child. he immediately followed with a smile introduced himself and so it began. this time it felt right.

santoku style left handed blade 18000 yen
pearing knife 6500 yen
done deal.