Imai Fine Japanese Knife Direct from Japan.

Mr. Imai at work

Mr. Seizo Imai was involved with knife making at age of 17 when he joined his father-in-low's knife factory in Seki. After he took over the factory at 27, Mr. Imai and I have worked with Parker Cutlery in Chattanooga, TN to build a new factory in Seki, and have produced high quality Pocket knives under the brandname of "Parker-Imai" for about 20 years.

With reputation of the quality knives at reasonable prices, the factory has expanded to finally 50 workers. This was a good success, but with increasing production and employees, Mr. Imai started worrying about the quality control.

He has then decided to close the factory and became an oneman custom knifemaker at the age of 47, and is turning out the detailed quality handmade knives with his sensitive personal touh for 16 years now.

Unlike other custom knifemakers, Mr. Imai does not attend any shows to sell his knives. He makes what he wants to make and sells to whom he likes. He does not chase trends, and stick to the traditional and old fashioned models and replicas.