Takeda Hamono was founded in 1920 and moved to Niimi in 1951 and produces hand-forged blades and tools such as kitchen knives, hoes, hatchets, etc. The third generation master blacksmith, Shosui Takeda, has succeeded in forging blades from the high quality carbon steel called Aogami Super Steel (AS). His knives are forged by hand with his small staff of master smiths. Each blade holds its edge extraordinarily well and resharpens easily.