Ichiro Hattori, a grand master of Japanese blacksmithing, has been immersed in the craft since he was 18 years old. Born in Seki in 1939, Hattori is a celebrated blade creator whose career in knife-making spans over 60 years. It's worth delving briefly into the story of this undisputed authority in the blacksmithing world.
Ichiro's journey started alongside his father, eventually leading to the creation of his renowned brand. From a very young age, Ichiro was destined for the world of knives. His father, also a blacksmith, served as the founder and owner of the Masahiro company, which to this day remains one of the largest producers of culinary knives. Interestingly, the company was established in the city of Seki, widely recognized today as the capital of Japanese blacksmithing, boasting centuries of tradition in this craft. The elder Hattori established his business in 1932, with Ichiro joining his father's enterprise at the tender age of 18. He felt from the very beginning that this was his calling.
Over time, Ichiro began to harbor ambitions of building his own brand. He was particularly interested in creating survival and outdoor-oriented knives. Hattori achieved his goal, founding his own business proudly bearing his surname, Hattori Hamono K.K, in 1971.
The establishment of his own company opened the door for further development and partnerships with foreign manufacturers, including OEM arrangements where a company produces products that can be sold under another brand's banner.
Fast forward to the present day, and we are privileged to have a choice of knives either entirely designed or created by the master craftsman from the Land of the Rising Sun.