Knives & Cutlery OEM Manufacturers in Japan

About the production regions

Japan's blade-making regions inherit sword-smithing techniques dating back to the Kamakura period. Seki (Gifu) is the country's knife capital and a major OEM production hub — several world-famous Western knife brands are made here. Sakai (Osaka) dominates professional Japanese chef knives, Tsubame-Sanjo (Niigata) excels at volume production, and Echizen (Fukui) carries a 700-year forging tradition. Many factories here accept small-batch custom knife production, making this one of the most accessible regions for launching your own blade brand.

Listed manufacturers5

Nikken Cutlery Co. Ltd.

Seki

関市, Gifu

Min. lot: Ask (negotiable)
Materials: Stainless steel
Services: OEM / PB

Seki maker of scissors, nail clippers, and paper knives with its own factory. Its OEM development page explicitly offers private-brand and original product development using existing tooling — color changes, edge modifications, and logo engraving. Known for its unique katana-motif product lines.

Fuji Cutlery Co. Ltd.

Tsubame-Sanjo

燕市, Niigata

Min. lot: Ask (negotiable)
Materials: Stainless steel
Services: OEM

Group company of Tojiro, the leading Tsubame-Sanjo knife maker. Explicitly offers OEM manufacturing from planning through production, serving as the group's gateway for original knife development — consultations welcome from the idea stage.

SUMIKAMA Co. Ltd.

Seki

関市, Gifu

Min. lot: Ask (negotiable)
Materials: Stainless steel, Damascus steel
Services: OEM / ODM

Knife manufacturer in Seki founded in 1916. Runs its own brands KASUMI and Kasane, and officially offers joint development and OEM supply. Known for high-end lines including Damascus steel kitchen knives, with extensive export experience.

YAXELL Co. Ltd.

Seki

関市, Gifu

Min. lot: Ask (negotiable)
Materials: Stainless steel, Damascus steel
Services: OEM

Seki blade manufacturer founded in 1932, widely known internationally for its knife brands. Produces kitchen knives, cookware, and lifestyle goods under brands such as YO-U and PREMIO, with a dedicated corporate inquiry channel.

Ukai Yobasami Co. Ltd.

Seki

関市, Gifu

Min. lot: Ask (negotiable)
Materials: Stainless steel
Services: OEM

Seki specialist in grooming scissors, beauty scissors, and nail clippers. Maintains a dedicated OEM page and offers customization including laser engraving, with a lineup spanning family to senior-focused products.

Guides for knives & cutlery

How to Create Your Own Japanese Knife Brand (Seki, Sakai & Tsubame-Sanjo OEM)

Japanese factories already manufacture for the world's top knife brands — and some accept surprisingly small OEM orders. Here's how to launch your own knife brand with Japan's blade regions.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum order for knives & cutlery OEM in Japan?+

Minimums vary by factory and method — most list them as negotiable. Semi-orders using existing shapes or fabrics usually allow smaller lots, so share your target quantity and ask several factories.

Can an overseas individual or small brand order knives & cutlery OEM?+

Yes. Every factory listed here explicitly offers OEM or custom production on its official site. Most operate in Japanese only — use the Japanese inquiry builder on each factory page to send a properly written inquiry.

Which region should I choose for knives & cutlery?+