Naoto Kitaoka is an experienced blacksmith that has been making knife for over a decade. 20 years of blacksmithing alongside his grandfather, a blacksmith specialise in single bevel and sickle forging, shaped an excellent control over red hot steels. Naoto's experience reflect in his knives: a variety of hand forged blades that have a clean, uniform finish that stands out in knives of similar designs.
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Naoto Kitaoka (北岡直斗) forges in Kochi Prefecture, in the Tosa forged-blade tradition (土佐打刃物). Blacksmithing runs in his family from his great-grandfather's generation, but for most of that run they were sickle smiths (鎌鍛冶). Kitchen knives became the serious business of the shop in Kitaoka's own generation.
The hallmark of his knives is the beauty of the black finish. Kitaoka does not treat kurouchi (黒打ち) as a by-product of the forge; he works it clean and even, forging one knife at a time toward a quality that stands with work from other regions. Kochi's blade trade still runs heavily on subcontract work, and his stated ambition is to be chosen as a craftsman in his own right, not on the strength of the region's name.
Under the finish, what he rates highest is how long an edge stays sharp. He keeps decarburisation down (脱炭を抑え) in the fire, since that is where steel loses the surface carbon an edge depends on.
As Kitaoka puts it: "Today is better than yesterday, and tomorrow will be better than today."
Naoto Kitaoka is a Japanese knife maker based in Tosa, Japan
, established in 2016.
Available at Knives and Stones Australia.
What knives does Naoto Kitaoka make?
Naoto Kitaoka produces the following knife lines: Naoto Blue 1 Damascus Kurouchi.
We currently carry 1 products from Naoto Kitaoka at Knives and Stones.
Where is Naoto Kitaoka located?
Naoto Kitaoka is located in Tosa, Japan. Japanese knife-making regions each have distinct traditions.
Tosa in Kochi Prefecture is known for rustic, robust knives forged with traditional free-forging techniques.
Where can I buy Naoto Kitaoka knives in Australia?
Knives and Stones is an authorised Australian stockist of Naoto Kitaoka. You can shop online at knivesandstones.com.au with free shipping on orders over $99, or visit our stores in St Peters (Sydney), Crows Nest (Sydney) and Braddon (Canberra) to handle the knives before buying.
