The Birth Of Kaizen Knives
I studied material engineering and discovered a fascination for matter, textures and the way different materials fit together.
One day in February 2020, I said to myself, "It would be cool to try making my own kitchen knife, and be proud to use it every day!" With the pandemic period acting as an accelerator, I now make knives full-time, using Japanese-inspired technics, from recycled materials (both blades and handles).
Each of the 60+ steps involved in making a single knife fascinates me: forging, grinding the bevels to the thinest possible edge, designing aesthetic and ergonomic lines. I love the transformation of materials; the further the end result is from the raw materials, the more fun I have!
I love knives, for some reason that still escapes me. Sometimes I think this passion followed me from a past life. I made my 1st shuriken (a ninja throwing star) when I was 14. And I remember even younger than that, when I'd visit my grandmother, I'd sneak into her kitchen to admire her sugar-cane machete. It fascinated me. It was the greatest gift when she gave it to me, when I was 13.
Values of Kaizen Knives
Performance
Each of us has experienced using a dull knife (frustrating, isn't it!), but few of us know the pleasure of using an exceptionally sharp knife. It transforms the culinary experience. Once you've tasted it, there's no going back. Kaizen knives is all about uncompromising cutting performance, as well as the durability of the tools we make.
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Aesthetic
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Our knives aim to create a WOW effect through their lines, design and colors. The rough forging is recognizable on the blades, and these objects (of art) are all unique and enhanced by their sobriety or brightly colored choices of stabilized wood.
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There's nothing like seeing the wonder in the eyes of customers and admirers.
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Eco-friendly
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I believe that our planet needs our attention more than ever. That's why most of our raw materials come from recycling and reuse. Giant wood-mill blades, wrought iron from an old water mill, stabilized burl wood from land in Quebec or New Brunswick - these are just a few examples of where our materials come from.
Oh, and our packaging is reusable, compostable or recyclable!
The Commitment Behind KAIZEN
"How can I create better knives?" is undoubtedly the question that has obsessed me for the past few years.
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In Japanese, "Kaizen" means "the process of continuous improvement, by small increments". I quickly realized that this concept was at the heart of my work. Failures guide me to analyze, improve and implement processes that bring me closer to excellence with every knife I make. The goal: to create exceptional, 100% handcrafted products. No shortcuts. No bullshit.
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Each knife goes through rigorous quality control tests, to ensure product performance and durability.
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My commitment is that each and every one of my customers is fully satisfied with their acquisitions, using their knives for decades to come, bringing them pleasure and satisfaction and contributing to the appreciation of the present moment during their use.
