It is not rare that a person’s childhood experiences had an influence on one’s career choice. It certainly is the case with Mr. Yoshihiro Yauji. Born in 1983, Yauji-san developed an interest in DIY as a child, and he gradually fell in love with tools made of steel. He found a very special connection with knives because knives in his own words "represent the starting point of mankind" (人間の原点). "From the Stone Age, human-beings started using knives to cut trees and eventually led to the development of civilization", said Yauji-san. In 2003, Yauji-san became an apprentice of Master Hideo Kitaoka, who is considered one of the best artisans in Japan. After more than 15 years of training, Yauji-san finally started making knives independently in 2019. It’s worth noting that he does forging, grinding, finishing, and sharpening, all by himself.