DO JAPANESE KNIVES COME PRE SHARPENED?

It’s a common assumption that premium knives arrive razor-sharp straight out of the box — but with Japanese knives, the reality is a little more nuanced.

Most Japanese knives and tools do arrive sharpened, but not to their absolute maximum potential. As a general rule, many sit around 70–85% of their true sharpness, though this can vary from maker to maker. For knives intended for export, a slightly sharper edge is often applied, but not every blade leaves the workshop with a fully finished edge.

This isn’t a flaw — it’s intentional.

Japanese blacksmiths often leave room for the end user to apply their own preferred edge. Edge angles, finishes, and sharpening styles vary between chefs, home cooks, and sharpeners, and this approach allows you to tune the knife exactly to how you cut and cook.

Rather than delivering a single, factory-sharp edge that fades after a few months, this philosophy is about long-term performance. When you sharpen and maintain the blade yourself, you’re building a relationship with the knife — one that can last decades, not just a season.

At Sharp Supply, we see this as part of the craft. Your knife isn’t finished when it arrives — it’s just getting started.