Kei Kobayashi (小林 圭) is a Japanese knife maker from Seki City, Gifu Prefecture—Japan’s historic center of blade-making. Born in 1977, he began his career as a professional sharpener, honing knives for top craftsmen. Later, he founded Kobayashi Hocho, where he crafts his own blades using R2/SG2 powdered stainless steel, known for its sharpness and durability (≈63 HRC).
Kobayashi specializes in ultra-thin, high-performance kitchen knives—often called “lasers”—which are prized for their clean geometry, lightweight feel, and precise cutting ability. His knives often feature elegant octagonal handles and minimalist finishes, blending traditional technique with modern design.
Delivery Time:
From 2 to 6 months.
Specifications:
Knife Type: Nakiri
Steel Type: SG2
Blade Hardness: HRC 62-63
Blade Type: Double Bevel
Blade Length: 165mm (6.5")
Blade Height: 50mm (2")
Blade Thickness: 1.8mm (.071")
Ferrule Material: Cherry
Handle Material: Octagonal Rosewood
Handle Length: 128mm (5")
Weight: 135g (4.8 ounces)
Delivery Time:
- Europe: 1-2 business days
- US & Canada: 2-4 business days
- Rest of the World: 3-5 business days
Specifications:
Knife Type: Bunka
Steel Type: SG2
Blade Hardness: HRC 62-63
Blade Type: Double Bevel
Blade Length: 170mm (6.7")
Blade Height: 46mm (1.8")
Spine Thickness: 1.9mm (.075")
Ferrule Material: Cherry
Handle Material: Octagonal Rosewood
Handle Length: 128mm (5")
Weight: 120g (4.2 ounces)
Delivery Time:
- Europe: 1-2 business days
- US & Canada: 2-4 business days
- Rest of the World: 3-5 business days
Specifications:
Knife Type: Petty
Steel Type: SG2
Blade Hardness: HRC 61-62
Blade Type: Double Bevel
Blade Length: 150mm (5.9")
Blade Height: 30mm (1.2")
Spine Thickness: 1.8mm (.071")
Ferrule Material: Cherry
Handle Material: Octagonal Rosewood
Handle Length: 115mm (4.5")
Weight: 77g (2.7 ounces)
Delivery Time:
From 2 to 6 months.
Specifications:
Knife Type: Gyuto
Steel Type: SG2 Damascus
Blade Hardness: HRC 61-62
Blade Type: Double Edged Blade
Blade Length: 240mm (9.4")
Blade Height: 5.3mm (.2")
Blade Thickness: 2mm (.079")
Ferrule Material: no Separate Ferule
Handle Material: Red Pakkawood
Handle Length: 137mm (5.4")
Weight: 181g (6.4 ounces)
Delivery Time:
From 2 to 6 months.
Specifications:
Knife Type: Santoku
Steel Type: SG2 Damascus
Blade Hardness: HRC
Blade Type: Double Edged Blade
Blade Length: 170mm (6.7")
Blade Height: 50mm (2")
Blade Thickness: 2mm (.079")
Ferrule Material: Pakkawood
Handle Material: Red Pakkawood
Handle Length: 130mm (5.1")
Weight: 149g (5.3 ounces)
Delivery Time:
From 2 to 6 months.
Specifications:
Knife Type: Bunka
Steel Type: SG2 Damascus
Blade Hardness: HRC 61
Blade Type: Double Edged Blade
Blade Length: 165mm (6.5")
Blade Height: 47mm (1.9")
Blade Thickness: 2.3mm (.091")
Ferrule Material: White Pakkawood
Handle Material: Octagonal Rosewood And White Pakkawood
Handle Length: 129mm (5.1")
Weight: 126g (4.4 ounces)
Delivery Time:
From 2 to 6 months.
Specifications:
Knife Type: Santoku
Steel Type: SG2
Blade Hardness: HRC 61-62
Blade Type: Double Edged Blade
Blade Length: 170mm (6.7")
Blade Height: 50mm (2")
Blade Thickness: 1.8mm (.071")
Ferrule Material: Cherry
Handle Material: Octagonal Rosewood
Handle Length: 127mm (5")
Weight: 123g (4.3 ounces)
Delivery Time:
- Europe: 1-2 business days
- US & Canada: 2-4 business days
- Rest of the World: 3-5 business days
Specifications:
Knife Type: Santoku
Steel Type: SG2
Blade Hardness: HRC 61-62
Blade Type: Double Edged Blade
Blade Length: 170mm (6.7")
Blade Height: 50mm (2")
Spine Thickness: 1.8mm (.071")
Ferrule Material: Cherry
Handle Material: Octagonal Rosewood
Handle Length: 127mm (5")
Weight: 123g (4.3 ounces)
Delivery Time:
From 2 to 6 months.
Specifications:
Knife Type: Petty
Steel Type: SG2
Blade Hardness: HRC 61-62
Blade Type: Double Edged Blade
Blade Length: 150mm (5.9")
Blade Height: 29mm (1.1")
Blade Thickness: 2mm (.079")
Ferrule Material: Cherry
Handle Material: Octagonal Rosewood
Handle Length: 114mm (4.5")
Weight: 77g (2.7 ounces)
Delivery Time:
From 2 to 6 months.
Specifications:
Knife Type: Santoku
Steel Type: SG2 Damascus
Blade Hardness: HRC 61-62
Blade Type: Double Edged Blade
Blade Length: 165mm (6.5")
Blade Height: 50mm (2")
Blade Thickness: 1.8mm (.071")
Ferrule Material: Cherry Wood
Handle Material: Octagonal Rosewood And White Pakkawood
Handle Length: 127mm (5")
Weight: 122g (4.3 ounces)
Delivery Time:
Specifications:
Knife Type: Petty
Steel Type: SG2 Damascus
Blade Hardness: HRC 62-63
Blade Type:
Blade Length: mm (")
Blade Height: mm (")
Blade Thickness: mm (")
Handle Material: Red Pakka Wood
Handle Length: mm (")
Weight: g ( ounces)
Delivery Time:
From 2 to 6 months.
Specifications:
Knife Type: Gyuto
Steel Type: SG2
Blade Hardness: HRC 61-62
Blade Type: Double Bevel
Blade Length: 210mm (8.3")
Blade Height: mm (")
Spine Thickness: mm (")
Ferrule Material: Cherry
Handle Material: Octagonal Rosewood
Handle Length: mm (")
Weight: g ( ounces)
Delivery Time:
- Europe: 1-2 business days
- US & Canada: 2-4 business days
- Rest of the World: 3-5 business days
Specifications:
Knife Type: Gyuto
Steel Type: SG2
Blade Hardness: HRC 61-62
Blade Type: Double Edged Blade
Blade Length: 240mm (9.4")
Blade Height: 52mm (2")
Spine Thickness: 1.8mm (.071")
Ferrule Material: Cherry
Handle Material: Octagonal Rosewood
Handle Length: 140mm (5.5")
Weight: 149g (5.3 ounces)
Delivery Time:
- Europe: 1-2 business days
- US & Canada: 2-4 business days
- Rest of the World: 3-5 business days
Specifications:
Knife Type: Gyuto
Steel Type: SG2
Blade Hardness: HRC 61-62
Blade Type: Double Edged Blade
Blade Length: 210mm (8.3")
Blade Height: 46mm (1.8")
Spine Thickness: 1.7mm (.067")
Ferrule Material: Cherry
Handle Material: Octagonal Rosewood
Handle Length: 127mm (5")
Weight: 124g (4.4 ounces)
Delivery Time:
From 2 to 6 months.
Specifications:
Knife Type: Gyuto
Steel Type: SG2
Blade Hardness: HRC 61-62
Blade Type: Double Bevel
Blade Length: 240mm (9.4")
Blade Height: mm (")
Blade Thickness: mm (")
Ferrule Material: Cherry
Handle Material: Octagonal Rosewood
Handle Length: mm (")
Weight: g ( ounces)
Delivery Time:
- Europe: 1-2 business days
- US & Canada: 2-4 business days
- Rest of the World: 3-5 business days
Specifications:
Knife Type: Sujihiki
Steel Type: SG2
Blade Hardness: HRC 61-62
Blade Type: Double Edged Blade
Blade Length: 270mm (10.6")
Blade Height: 43mm (1.7")
Spine Thickness: 2mm (.079")
Ferrule Material: Cherry
Handle Material: Octagonal Rosewood
Handle Length: 140mm (5.5")
Weight: 152g (5.4 ounces)
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