Sharpening Service by Craftsmen in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, Announced Alongside General Sale of "Just Right Knife"

SAKURA's Online Store (HITOTEMA Inc.) is offering a "Sharpening Service" by craftsmen from a cutlery manufacturer in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, as a permanent service for purchasers of the "A Little Long, A Little Short, Just Right Knife" (155mm blade length) developed by chef and restaurant owner Sakura.

In conjunction with the general sale launch in early July 2026, we are re-announcing the details of this service. The service is available from 3,000 yen (tax included), including shipping and packing materials, and can be completed by simply dropping it into your home mailbox, from application to return.

A Knife is a Tool to Be Used While Nurtured

Even the finest blades will lose their sharpness with continued use. Chef and restaurant owner Sakura views a knife as "a tool to be used while nurtured," considering its entire lifecycle, including post-purchase maintenance. While household sharpeners may not restore sharpness, a professional craftsman can bring it back to a state close to when it was purchased. Rather than ending with the purchase, it's about developing a long-term relationship with the knife through sharpening – it is on this premise that the "Just Right Knife" becomes a tool that can be called a "lifelong companion." The sharpening service is the mechanism for this.

By Craftsmen in Seki City, One by One, by Hand

The sharpening is handled by craftsmen at the cutlery manufacturer in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, who are also responsible for its production. Skilled craftsmen meticulously reshape the blade by hand, not only performing double-bevel sharpening and tip reshaping but also correcting minor chips up to approximately 1mm in diameter and slight bends in the blade tip.

While the finish may vary depending on the condition of the knife received, the aim is to restore it to a sharpness comparable to new. The value unique to its place of origin lies in the fact that it is not machine-processed but finished by human hands, relying on their senses.

Just Drop it in the Mailbox, Completed at Home

The process is simple. When you feel the sharpness has diminished, apply through the dedicated page, and you will receive a "Sharpening Packing Kit" containing a pre-addressed envelope, bubble wrap to protect the entire knife, and a paper sleeve to protect the blade. Simply pack the knife using the kit and drop it into your home mailbox.

The sharpened knife is returned directly to the customer from Seki City. There is no need to take it to a store or prepare your own packing materials. The estimated delivery time is approximately 2-3 weeks from shipping, and return shipping costs are included in the service fee.

Pricing and Eligibility

The basic sharpening service (double-bevel sharpening/tip reshaping) is 3,000 yen (tax included, including shipping and packing materials). Repair of large chips (over 2mm) starts at 5,000 yen, and handle replacement (walnut part) starts at 6,000 yen. Work will not proceed without customer consent if additional charges are incurred.

This service is exclusively for the "Just Right Knife 155mm" and is available for products purchased not only from SAKURA's Online Store but also from Rakuten and Amazon. While severe damage or blade breakage may not be repairable, a decrease in sharpness or minor chips that occur during daily use can be addressed in most cases.

Service Overview

- Service Name: Knife Sharpening Service - Eligible: Purchasers of "Just Right Knife 155mm" (including purchases from other malls) - Pricing: Sharpening 3,000 yen (tax incl.) / Large chip repair from 5,000 yen / Handle replacement from 6,000 yen (all include shipping and packing materials) - Delivery Time: Approx. 2-3 weeks from shipping (varies by season) - Application: From the dedicated page on SAKURA's Online Store (store.hitotema.co.jp)

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*Prices and delivery times are as of July 1, 2026. The finish and price may vary depending on the condition of the knife received. Handle deformation or cracking due to dishwashers, direct sunlight, etc., may not be repairable or may require handle replacement.