Masamoto Sohonten

The Crowned King of Kanto Region

Masamoto Sohonten, the undisputed king of Japanese kitchen knives, has arrived at Knives and Stones. Started by Minosuke Matsuzawa in 1866, succeed by Kichizo Hirano in 1891 and registered its trademark in 1903, Masamoto Sohonten is now under the management of the 6th generation Masamoto: Masahiro Hirano. With more than 150 years of history, Masamoto Sohonten is recognised by almost every Japanese chef as the best kitchen knife brand in Japan, and it is often considered as the go-to tool for professionals.

“The hallmark of professionalism in single bevel knives, excellent in quality and consistency and once the dominating knife brand in the entire Kanto region.”

Est. 1866 | 慶応2年

Known for Excellently built traditional single bevel knives and KS series Gyuto

Website masamoto-sohonten.co.jp

People

Founder: Minosuke Matsuzawa 松沢巳之助
Current Head: Masahiro Hirano 平野正浩

Craft

Known For: Excellently built traditional single bevel knives and KS series Gyuto
Steel: White #2 / Swedish Steel

Location

Address: 1 Chome-6-5 Azumabashi, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0001, Japan
Region: Tokyo, Japan
Coordinates: 35.70828, 139.802

Brand

Logo

Native Name

正本·総本店

Why Masamoto Sohonten Matters

Founding the one of the earliest and most significant kitchen knife brand in the Kanto region, formalise knife production and retail while continuously providing excellent tools for professionals. Their products are commonly recognised as the default choice in professional applications where traditional single bevel knives are used, and this recognition by the industry have earned them the title "東の正本" - Masmoto of the East, signify their influence in Kanto.

Does Masamoto Sohonten Allow Unsolicited Visits?

Yes, Masamoto Sohonten's main store sits on the historical site of Azumabashi, a quick stroll from Asakusa. The store opened in 1890!

Knives by Masamoto Sohonten

Masamoto KS Series

The KS Series by Masamoto Sohonten is a premium line of traditional Japanese knives, highly regarded by professional chefs and knife enthusiasts. Crafted fro... Read more

The KS Series by Masamoto Sohonten is a premium line of traditional Japanese knives, highly regarded by professional chefs and knife enthusiasts. Crafted from Shirogami #2 (White Steel No.2), these knives offer exceptional sharpness, edge retention, and ease of sharpening. Each blade is meticulously hand-forged and honed, reflecting Masamoto’s 150+ years of craftsmanship. The KS Series features a wa-gyuto (Japanese-style chef's knife) with a minimalistic, elegant design, a lightweight feel, and a well-balanced construction. Renowned for its razor-sharp edge and superior cutting performance, the KS Series embodies the pinnacle of Japanese knife-making artistry and tradition. Read less

Pros

Excellent performance
Thin behind the edge
Excellent fit and finish

Cons

High budget
Prone to rust

Monosteel Migaki

Masamoto SW

The Masamoto KS series, particularly the KS double bevel line up, including the unicron KS 3124, is loved by many many professional chefs and enthusiasts bec... Read more

The Masamoto KS series, particularly the KS double bevel line up, including the unicron KS 3124, is loved by many many professional chefs and enthusiasts because of its unique and excellent profile; also because it is super light and nimble. Arguably the only problem? The rustic carbon steel used in the KS line can be problematic during the busy service sessions in a western kitchen. As a result, Masamoto created the SW series, which is the stainless equivalent of the white steel (KS) line, employing the same great cutting performance without the need to worry about the rust. The Swedish steel is very refined, offer decent hardness and excellent toughness. Read less

Pros

Great for professionals
Excellent performance

Cons

High budget
Relatively hard to sharpen

Monosteel Migaki

Frequently Asked Questions about Masamoto Sohonten

Who is Masamoto Sohonten?

Masamoto Sohonten is a Japanese knife maker based in Tokyo, Japan , established in 1866. They are known for Excellently built traditional single bevel knives and KS series Gyuto. Their signature steels include White #2 / Swedish Steel. Available at Knives and Stones Australia.

What knives does Masamoto Sohonten make?

Masamoto Sohonten produces the following knife lines: Masamoto KS Series, Masamoto SW. We currently carry 8 products from Masamoto Sohonten at Knives and Stones. They specialise in Excellently built traditional single bevel knives and KS series Gyuto.

Where is Masamoto Sohonten located?

Masamoto Sohonten is located in Tokyo, Japan. Japanese knife-making regions each have distinct traditions.

Where can I buy Masamoto Sohonten knives in Australia?

Knives and Stones is an authorised Australian stockist of Masamoto Sohonten. 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.