Shosui Takeda is a third-generation blacksmith from Niimi, Okayama. His pursuit to improve with each knife he makes is evident in every blade. He and his two workers have been making the same style of kitchen knives for decades. Takeda san has worked to perfect one of the most challenging steels for a blacksmith to forge. Hitachi Blue Super steel boasts one of the best edge retentions of any steel, it is also very difficult to work with. Takeda is regarded as one of the few knife-makers to master this material, and yet he continues to improve.

A chef's knife is the most versatile blade that can handle almost anything in the kitchen. Their shape and often generous edge length mean that whether it's cutting small tomatoes or portioning a large roast, you can do it with one blade. Most cooks have multiple chef's knives and it is not hard to justify getting one more when it has so much utility.