TAFU

Product Description

Product Story

General Product Information

— The Ultimate Outdoor Knife Forged from 116 Years of Tradition —

Since its founding in 1908, Fukubekaji has supported the lives of the people of Noto through the craft of the Nokaji—the traveling village blacksmiths who forged and repaired essential tools for daily life, farming, and fishing.
This outdoor knife represents the culmination of over a century of experience and craftsmanship, refined through generations of working with blades that sustain everyday living.

Forged with Yasugi Blue Paper Steel #2, a high-carbon steel traditionally used in Japanese swords, and clad with stainless steel in a three-layer construction (Hon-sanmai-zukuri), it delivers exceptional sharpness, toughness, and resistance to rust.
Its design balances rugged functionality with timeless beauty—built to perform in any environment.

Recommended for:

Those seeking a knife that can handle both meat and fish with ease

Those who want a versatile knife for batoning, feathering, fire-starting, and cooking

Those looking for a compact, portable knife for outdoor and emergency use

Once you experience its performance, you’ll never want to let it go.
A single knife that embodies the culture, spirit, and craftsmanship of Japan’s Nokaji tradition.

 

Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：500 years ago / 1500AD / Sengoku period in Japan

Nokaji are traditional artisans who mainly work with iron, forging and repairing everyday tools such as knives, farming implements, and fishing gear. Their origins trace back to the Sengoku period, when swordsmiths and gunsmiths supplied weapons to feudal lords. As peace spread, many transitioned from weapon-making to supporting local communities, crafting tools essential for daily life. Known for their traveling workshops and deep ties to rural livelihoods, Nokaji embodied the spirit of self-sufficiency across Japan. However, after the 1950s, the spread of mechanization and mass production led to a sharp decline in their numbers. Even so, a few skilled Nokaji remain today, preserving time-honored forging techniques and continuing to create hand-crafted tools that connect modern life with Japan’s enduring traditions.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Fukubekaji
Since its founding in 1908 (Meiji 41), Fukubekaji has crafted a wide range of products by applying the skills developed through its origins as a “traveling village blacksmith”—repairing everyday tools for the people of Noto. From household kitchen knives and farming tools to Noto Makiri knives and sazae openers for shellfish, these implements have long supported the agricultural and fishing livelihoods of Noto and continue to be cherished essentials in daily life today.

Craftsman Passion

Forging hearts,Blacksmiths.

Our work is not merely about making blades.
It is about preserving the life and spirit of our land,and facing even the smallest troubles of those we serve.
To stand beside the ordinary days of people—that is what it means to be a village blacksmith.

We believe that tools carry souls and possess the power to pass on culture.
With that belief, we hammer iron and sharpen blades each day,to protect the way of life shared with all of you.

 

Your Contribution to Craftsman

Customer Voice

Due to the market structure (link for full articles are attached bottom), craftsman have not known who the customer is and how customer reacts to their work. We made a “Message to Craftsman” box at purchase page. We will deliver all message to every craftsman. Our review will be also shared to craftsman so please leave your comment and evaluation on review section!

Income for Craftsman: Craftsman get only less than 10% of selling price?

As written above, craftsman have not controlled last phase of sales channel that resulting in selling price is set by third-party without craftsman’s recognition. There are some cases that only less than 10% of selling price is given to craftsman. We promise with our customer / craftsman that we offer the fair trade with craftsmen in our contract!

We made an article about above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from below link.
Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo

Measurement

Width：2.7cm
Depth : 27.5cm
Height：3cm
Weight：214g

Material & Caution

Materials

Steel
Stainless steel

Caution

Individual Difference

Each piece is handmade, so there are individual differences even in the same series. We hope that you will understand the change by handmade.

Delivery Date

If an item is out of stock at the time of order, please allow approximately one month for production.