The Way of the Blade. Making blades by hand is a rare and exacting skill. As dedicated practitioners, Kamikoto’s bladesmiths ensure the art survives and flourishes. It’s a skill that requires great precision and care, and Kamikoto’s apprentices can take several years to learn their trade. “The skill of the craftsman resides in being able to get the most out of the steel he is handling,” says master bladesmith Kazuomi Yamamoto, Chairman, Kamikoto Advisory Board. “If a craftsman’s goal is to make the most of the steel, he has to first perfect the forging process. My master used to say that it was better to observe the techniques of others, than be taught verbally. So, I took his advice to heart.” The simplest skills are usually the toughest, and learning to master the basic skills often means years of hard, patient effort. “As apprentices, we are taught by our masters never to feel satisfied with our own work. This means we keep learning and perfecting. When making knives, I find it useful to put myself in the shoes of our clients and think about what they need. It makes me very happy to hear a customer compliment a knife we have made or say they are impressed with how smoothly our knives cut. This is what gives me joy and pride in my work. It’s a good feeling.”