I was a Chef since 1975. I sure wish I had access to the handmade Japanese knives back then. I have a few now. But,at 68 I know can just appreciate the craftsmship of the great Artisans. Thanks for the video.

Thank you for sharing some knowledge of the different craftmen. Im am an apprentice myself of Fujii san, a master sharpener in Sakai. It's a huge pleasure to be a part of this unique and very traditional craft. The city you went to to visit Tanaka san is Miki city in Hyogo pref. close to Kobe.

I usually cook with my mom and my sister at times. After watching your vid on knife sharpening, I finally bought the first good quality knife into my house (my mom only have cheap ones..) and recently I just bought a whetstone, your vids are really helpful for me to decide what I am going for.

Love that they value each others craftsmen ship and will not copy. Love your vids.

Ryky what you are doing is amazing! I love watching the videos you make on your business trips. You are helping educate the west on the craft that the Japanese have perfected. I’m currently saving up for some #2 white steel knives. Continue doing what you do. As a chef I am jealous of your KZfaq life! Ur awesome Ryky!

Have been with you from the beginning. Love you man. Soo proud of you! Congrats on your success!

Thank you for making these videos ! You opened a whole new world for me and I am working on affording to buy one to support the awesome work you and they are doing !

Thank you, for actively doing your part into saving this amazing trade we all love. You are playing a key roll promoting this ancient craft!!!

What an amazing opportunity! I can't wait to see the new knives.

Going back and watch this a second time really made me happy that you were able to go on this amazing trip before covid happened.

love the way you speak about the craftsmen you had met, respect and curiosity with no ill will or bad attitude at all. thank you for doing what you do.

You got a new fan, i know next to nothing about knives but I can't wait to binge-watch your videos and get started. The way you speak with such passion about these knives and the legends that make the knives really had me captivated. Keep it up can't wait to see the knives you're making!

Welcome back.... you look tired but calm and chilled too. Best of luck and I hope good things come from your trip ❤️❤️❤️

riky i love to see that your work payed off so much! when i imagine you started as a guy who simply filmed sharpening his knives ...and thius then grew to high quality whetstone reviews and firsthand insights to japanese knifemaking i am astonished! keep up the good work man I believe it is very enriching for all of us knife people!

Enjoyed the plethora of knowledge you shared. Thanks for sharing with us!

Mastercraftsmen secrets push others deeper into their own creativity. Bravo for keeping this art form alive through your sharing. Now saving for the perfect hand forged knife! Enjoy seeing your travel videos Ryky!

How very awesome. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

What a phenomenal trip, and what a treasure to have those knives specially made for you. It makes me wish I could reconnect with a Japanese friend I worked with many years ago while we were going through college; he was here in the US going to school so he could go back and teach. Sitting down and talking with all those craftsman sounds like something to be remembered and cherish for a lifetime. I would have love to have been there.. I'm looking forward to more detailed videos.. Thanks for sharing!

Keep up the amazing vids bro. You've taught me a few thing about sharpening my knives and I'm glad you got to go to japan and meet all those amazing bladesmiths.

Been watching you for a while, its so fulfilling to see you go from roughly 4000 subscribers to 143k subscribers while still staying who you are. I think your passion for knives is part of the reason I have gained this passion as well. In the past 2 years or so I have gained a passion for knives and I think almost more so abrasives. I have been able to make a little side hustle at my culinary job sharpening the knives of almost every chef at my company thanks almost exclusively to your instruction. I am happy that you're able to achieve a certain level of notoriety doing this work, and look forward to seeing these knives from those amazing craftsman. Keep it up man!

Looks like you had an amazing trip! Such a beautiful country, I’ll be having a holiday there next year and can’t wait to visit some knife makers

It’s awesome the amount of recognition you’re getting. Keep it up brother

I love your entusiasm and respect for the guys! Super!

Love the video! Thanks for sharing your experience, can't wait to see more videos on the artisans of japanese knives.

Awesome success story! Thank you for sharing.

I have the Kato sg2 240mm and 150mm petty. the quality of skill and craftsmanship on them is unbelievable. They edge is is razor sharp and retains it for a long time. I’d say they are best best knives I’ve ever bought and I hope you get your hands on them

Bravo for this video man! Really inspiring!

Fascinating stuff. Thanks.

Beautiful people with passion. It's importent to hold into such a beautiful tradition. I wish I could do something in live I love but it's not always possible. I bet they enjoy every minute of making them knives. The idea to share all the live knowledge with your son and learn the craftmenship is wonderful.

Wow, sounds like you had a chance of a lifetime experience - thank you for sharing.

man awsome video as someone learning the craft of knife making its was great to get to see at least a little of how these masters work. you just got my dream trip to japan

Toyota AE86, not Celica, also thank you so much for documenting the beautiful craftsmanship of the knife smiths in Japan!

This is a cool video, just got my first Japanese knife over the weekend and I absolutely love it. Ive always had cheap Costco knives and been happy with them but decided I could finally upgrade and it has not disappointed.

Always enjoy watching your content man.

What a great amazing trip to Japan and thank you very much for sharing your wonderful experience with me. Great video once again. I always enjoy your videos.

That must have been an incredible experience. I’m sure they are as grateful as you are.

Ricky I have become obsessed with your KZfaq channel since falling in love with my kitchen again during COVID 19. Such good information. You are elevating my “blade” knowledge to another level. 😁 thanks!

I just wanna say this is one of the most amazing videos i've seen and thank you so much for sharing your journey. I found your channel cuz I've been cooking a lot more recently since I started running and working out again, I've been meal prepping. Every week i've been browsing looking for what I should make next and through that I've been learning a lot about culinary techniques. Now I'm also an artist and designer so that meant I started looking for new cookware, not just any cookware, whenever i buy something for utility, I want really good quality but not the kind of quality where people think "let me find the most expensive thing" I want quality in the full sense of the word. One of my supervisors at work recently received a Shun knife as a gift from his family and showed it to me, and I was amazed. I recently bought a chef's knife from target but even after a couple weeks I noticed it didn't cut nearly as good as when I bought it, which had me disappointed. So I started looking at the Shun knives and while they looked and probably are amazing, the price tag had me thinking I don't want to just assume it's good because its expensive. So I went through youtube browsing videos about knives which lead me to find Japanese knives. I have always loved and been fascinated with Japan as a whole, from their culture to their values, and how they always aim for the best in any endeavor. I even went in 2016 for my birthday. I didn't even know there were so many different kinds of knives till I started browsing this corner of youtube. I saw lots of videos about the different shapes and form factors, different metals and compositions. It all really amazed me and I got a deeper sense of understanding about what makes Shun knives and others like it so amazing. It's also common knowledge to me that Japan is renown for their craftsman ship and I have always loved the history of katanas. I think it was only natural for me to fall in love with the offspring of that history which became knife making. Out of all the channels though I came across yours and the way you talk about the knives as well as your passion I just wanted to say I really appreciate what you've done with this channel. It's a shame I seem to have found it so late as you're getting rid of everything and I wasn't able to be part of this journey but this video gave me such a deep appreciation for this craft and the people behind it. It's one of the reasons I absolutely love Japan, their history is so deep, rich, and longstanding. Thank you for this video. Whenever this pandemic either is over or goes down enough for travel to resume I want to visit seki as well and hopefully when I go I get to meet and build relationships with artisans of my own. Seriously thank you for making this video. Idk if you'll even see this comment, but if you do please let the people featured here as well know how much of an amazing impact they have and how appreciated they are. Truly national treasures that deserve the shine that you've given them. I plan on buying knives from your website when I can hopefully the stock isn't completely gone before I get the chance to. I was really stuck trying to figure out what "brand" of knives I should invest in but now my thought process has changed to which piece of art do I want to own. I want to support local artisans that have just as good if not better quality than the major "brands" that are well known in the states. As an artist I fully understand why you love artisan knives so much, it's a shame that it's a dying craft.

I feel that this channel helped you and your Japanese partners. At least with fun time and love. It’s amazing to see how both parties were pleased!

love seeing Japanese craftsmanship.

Anyone else binge watch his videos to put together the perfect dream set? Yea iv done more research on not so necessary things then I ever did when I was in school.

My Sakai Takayuki Kasumi-ken Masao yanagiba 270 arrives the week of Aug 6. I am a retired chef, and have wanted one of these for ever...my mid-life crisis blade. I Was very excited also to here you talk about your Sakai Takayuki adventures. I have also gone out on a limb and bought some King KDS products...I have forever sent my knives out to the sharpener once a month or so in my working days. I am honored to be a member of your community Ryky San...you are so knowledgeable and enthusiastic for the trade and nothing if not humble.

what an amazing experience. keep it up!

Great content!

Sounds like a very interesting journey...thanks for sharing.

This is such a great way to start a company. i want to buy knives from someone that knows what they are talking about and honest.

Fantastic trip, love your videos, keep them coming :)

An interesting and curious experience: the heirs of a thousand-year-old art who strive to pass on and inspire future generations. Thanks for these beautiful pictures.

Hey! I've been watching your videos for a while but this one and a few of the factory tours are ones I'll be showing in the upcoming school year. I teach high school metal shop where we do some forging (can't make blades) and on days when we have the opportunity I like to show videos that show true craftsman at work and how the love of craft and drive a thriving career. This video is an excellent example of that. Thank you!

Your videos inspired me to start Sharpening knifes by my own and get into the difference between all kinds of knifes. Keep up the great and interesting work. See you in the next video ✌

Riky thanks for your videos man, I really enjoy them, I am a professional Chef and I have to say your videos helped me a lot when purchasing new gear.

Awesome Mr. Tran I am happy I could be of good help. God is good. I have learned so much from you and because of you it reminded me of how much in love I am with Asian culture and now I cherish Japanese knives. I also strongly feel the same way about supporting this amazing blacksmiths. I don't want the old tradition to die. You are right the new generation should keep the old tradition.

I'd try it! Sounds like the most incredible trip!

Thank you very much for introducing me to japanese knife artisans. After watching this video, I've been looking it up on the internet.. it's so interesting and amazing! Hope to own the work of some of these artisans some day. Please do post more footage of your time in Japan when you have the chance. Love your channel and keep up the awesome work!

Good to see you back bud.

you are honest in your assessments...and they are exquisite items the Japanese knives. i listened to your view on the yaxell bon 8 inch and fingers crossed it arrives soon. bless you.

just found your channel and i love your work...god bless you 🖖

Found your channel today, subscribed. Love it!

I’m very happy for you. Amazing experience.

Wow! So amazing! ❤️

Hi RIcky what a dream trip for a knife nerd maybe one day love to travel to japan . I have been buying second hand knives and sharpening them and giving them to other blind people who can't afford a good knife I would have not been able to do this without your excellent tutorials over the past couple of years love to be able to do more you have been an insperation for me many thanks . Dean from Oz

Looks like a great trip!

Such a great opportunity to do this!!!👏🏻💯👍🏻🙏🏻

Thank You Sir! I appreciate the tour of these fine craftsman who are the epitome of skill and pride and you can't imagine how good that makes me feel because my Father and Grandfather instilled in me that people made the material we work on so have respect and find want I'm looking for inside that piece of stock. So as a 65 year old machinist retired I still treat everything the same way and I remember when helping my grandfather installing boards to the bottom of a 42' boat after taking it out of a home made steam box bending it with rags while he used clamps to hold it in place I would start drilling the holes in he would come behind me installing the flathead brass screws he showed me how you would time the slots so they all faced the same direction and then I would help him caulk between the boards. I asked him Gramps when we putty over the screws and paint the bottom of the boat nobody would see that the screws were timed and everybody that we know and a lot of people we don't know will see it because of the pride we take in what we do and customers know this and besides we know that they are done correctly and that says who we are. So for a 11 year old kid to learn that meant that I was the happiest kid in the world back in 1965 and I've lived my life the same way and instilled this in my son and two daughters. And my point is listening to you GIVES me that same feeling that you take pride. Thank You JCB. PS. This is not me asking for a knife this is truly coming from the heart.

Do it, If you're able to go back(financially, family). Thanks for sharing and thank you to all the great craftsman of Japan. Japan makes some of the most beautiful knives, I've ever held in my hand. It is always a honor to hold.

GREAT VID ! you are inspiring !

What an inspiring video. I enjoy all of your content but this is one of my favorites.

Have a Takefu Village Santoku, and LOVE it ! Nothing like having an artisans work, especially when it comes to Japanese knives. I can name, and know about the man who made my very own knife. Even scribes his name into the blade using very small punch, and obviously in very hard to create Japanese lettering. Great job Ryky, and does look like your KZfaq adventure is working for you. Want to say that it is well deserved, and your reviews have made me more aware of my options, and value for money. Really looking forward to your future clips from Japan, especially Takefu Village. Keep up the fantastic work !!!

Nice video, thank you.

One of your best videos and a great message to most Americans. Quality is something we've easily sacrificed for convenience & price. In most cases only true craftsmen can produce items that function perfectly every day and can last a life time with reasonable care. In today's disposable society & desire for instant gratification, attributes like quality, performance, and longevity come with a price. Today's short-term thinkers don't realize that they will pay substantially more having to replace poorly made items over the years. And yet never truly experienced how quality could have enriched their lives in so many aspects. After 30 years of digital music, the quality of analog vinyl records and turntables has driven the final nail into CD sales. But craftsmen, not mass production, were required. If been the main family cook for 40 years and somehow forgot the value of a simple sharp knife. After watching many of your videos, i got some stones and wow, I feel creative in the kitchen again! I'm enjoying putting these super sharp blades to work. You turned me on to the Bunka & Yanagiba and tomorrow I'll be taking delivery of some pretty expensive air-shipped Tuna & Salmon. Going to have a quality meal with my entire family this weekend. That's for the inspiration! Jim

awesome!

Wow, certainly a trip of a lifetime.

Amazing!!!!!!!!!!

I recently watched your videos to learn about sharpening, but this video made me a subscriber. Thanks for sharing your experience - hopefully I can own a good Japanese knife soon :)

Japanese blade making tradition will never die. Never ever. And with a firm confidence I’m sure that they will enjoy a super prosperous future.

Very cool. I would love to hear more about what you were able to learn from these knife artisans.

great video so many beautiful knifes :)

Congrats

I don’t know what to say i wish i could’ve been with you and meet all this amazing peope 🙏🏻

wow what a trip! I got a gyuto from tanaka and a santoku from kurosaki, there are a lot of brand but those are the best knives I ever see. I hope one day to go to Japan and do a tour like yours. I can't wait to see what they have made for you

OOhhh Ryky, that is freaking wild news! Remember I have one of your glass strops and use it daily for my Miyabi birch, black, fusion and FCD series. I would love a Ryky knife in my kitchen soon. :D Keep em coming!

It's like we came to the trip with you my friend, very good job, you gave us access that we can't have

Some of the knife in the video are so beautiful, i already bought a Yaxell after watching your videos and to be honest was very skeptical about them being so superior. But i was blown away (i use it every day now), i'm learning back to sharpen since i stopped working wood years ago and have to relearn everything. But when i watch those knife i wouldn't mind spend money on them, the one at 17:45, just wow.

Love everything about japan 😍😍

Wow, these guys are all legends. Kurosaki's knives are easily among my favorites, especially his SG2/R2 and aogami super offerings, they are just wonderful cutters with great grinds and attention to detail.

Hi Ryky nice video. It's very important to keep the knowledge of the old mastercraftsmen alive!

So glad you are getting all these opportunities. Tojiro partnership is awesome. Some of my favorite blades, especially for the price.

You are a very respectable person

Watch this video again and again can't wait to go to takefu knife village

Can you do a video on how you would sharpen (/restore) a serated knife?

You might be a small KZfaq but your work is great

what an interesting video and I'm looking forward to seeing the up and coming video's of your trip to Japan and how much you will be able to show from each of your visits to each knife maker. I would love the chance to win a knife but I stay in Scotland, it would be great to say I won a knife, we also have a country in a situation were people cant afford the basic's in food. What a world we are know living in.

Your videos are faultless, thank you.

Very nice journey indeed. Wanna go these places too :-)

Amazing craftsmen are inspiring. I can’t wait for the day Ryky promotes his own line of artisan knives

japanese knifes are just so much more special

Looks like an awesome experience there

Love it! Bravo. Yu Kurosaki knife is what I want most next. Baby on the way so it will be a while lol

You've come a looooooooong way!

Looking forward to your review of the Yu Kurosaki "Raijin" and "Fujin" !