Does "Seki" Mean a Certain Level of Quality?

redsquid2

redsquid2

Красивы Поросенок
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Aug 31, 2011
Messages
3,062
I read somewhere that there is a knifemakers' guild in Seki City, Japan.

Does the "Seki" stamp on a blade guarantee a certain level of fit and finish? I only ever owned one Seki knife, and have not handled a whole lot of others.
 
For some knife brands it does, for others it doesn't. The only example I know for sure is SOG. The original SOG Bowie from the Vietnam War were Seki made and are highly sought after by SOG collectors for the quality and history. On the other hand I have a "handmade" Seki knife (not a SOG, just a no-name knife) that is pretty much only a wall hanger. The fit and finish is terrible and the blade wobbles in the handle.
 
I'm fairly sure it's just and indicator thats it was made there. Yes, a lot Japanese makers have set up shop there, and has a fair bit of history as cultural center for bladesmiths of the country, and so the area has a general reputation for high quality work, but it is in no way an indicator of quality.
 
I guess it's just like any other city that has knife/sword making history. Not everything is held to the same standard within that city.
 
My understanding is Seki is the city in Japand and is synonymous with knife making like Solingen Germany, Sheffield England, Golden, Colorado, Portland, OR, etc.

Portland is a prime example of really high quality knives - Kershaw/Z (Technically Tualitin but right next to Portland), Benchmade (Technically Oregon City, but right next to Portland), Leatherman, and maybe not so high - Gerber. Though in fairness there was a thread awhile back with a lot of forum members naming Portland made Gerber's are still very good knives so I don't want to come off as bashing.
 
Spyderco has a plant in Seki City, and marks blades produced there appropriately.
Very good stuff, but that's just from Spyderco's plant (or sub-contractor).

-E
 
Seki City, located in Gifu Prefecture has been a famous center of sword and knifemaking in Japan for some
800 years. So yes, Seki is on the list of historical places like Sheffield, Solingen, etc. In the post WWII world
Seki remained the center of knife making, and while the demand for military swords both functional and
decorative vanished, the industry focused on culinary cutlery, scissors, etc. As a city built on and supported by the blade industry they have an annual Hamono Matsuri (blade festival). In 1977 Gerber signed a contract
with a Seki based maker called Sakai and their Silver Knight series became a big hit. Sakai went on to make
knives for Al Mar, Spyderco, and most likely SOG. Sakai with it's log relationship with Gerber changed it's name to Gerber Sakai, and today is known as G. Sakai. They are just one of several knife makers in Seki.
In 1992, 20 Seki manufacturers formed a group to market their products under the brand name "Seki Cut",
although I have only seen this label sold in Japan. A name well known to the west is Ichiro Hattori who is a
renowned Seki knife maker, forgot what generation, and I think he served as chairman of the guild for a while. There have been all sorts of stories about Hattori's involvement with SOG, Boker, Falknieven but I do
not know which ones are true. The original Ben Baker MACV SOG knives were unmarked knives bought from Yogi Shokai (a subsidiary of the trading house Nichimen) and later Japan Sword, and while the likelihood is that the were contracted from Seki makers, I haven't found any definitive or detailed information in that regard. Considering the hush hush nature of those orders we may never definitely know. Seki makers include
Mcusta, Kanetsune, Magoroku, amd many others. Back in the 1980s the knives "Made in Japan" were the
cheap imports in the eyes of many. However as the costs of Japanese production rose 2000-2005 and US companies were forced to turn to "Made in Taiwan",( or worse "Made in China") the old discontinued models made in Japan have become sought after collectors' items. Having "Seki Japan" on the ricasso seems to increase the value. The knives still made in Seki tend to be of high quality and usually a high price tag.
 
Last edited:
I have also seen pretty shoddy knives stamped seki, that very likely were not made there. Only stamped so, in order to increase the likelihood of a sale.
 
Great info KENHASH, I too have collected and studied Seki/Seki City now for almost 45 years. To those who know me, I have without reservation said many times, " if you see a pile of dog poo, with a pc of metal sticking out, reading Seki, do all you can to purchase said pile." Mr. Hash has given a great review and the story as he indicates goes beyond even what is written. IMO only Solingen Germany, stands near in comparison. I will admit that anytime these discussions begin various view points arise, and I will give way to anyone's opinion rather than argue. For years I sought both locations of steel Mfg. with guarded lust. I would NEVER have committed on this topic. However as time passes and knives become less important to me, I feel a stronger desire to see others share in the history and knowledge of legendary blades. Too date I have never, including Ram, Fury, and others been disappointed in any blade bearing those four precious letters. SEKI..
 
I have an old Spyderco Clip-It that is stamped SEKI City Japan. It's G-2 steel with a fully serrated edge and it holds an edge very well.
 
Last edited:
This is why people should join the forums. If you want to learn about something you're going to learn the hell out of it. Great post Ken
 
I had a Seki made Airsog, bought around 1995. Overall excellent quality, but I think I could have done a better job of grinding the final bevel myself. OTOH, when I sold it, about 15 years later, I got about twice what I originally paid for it, after I had used, sharpened, and carried it extensively. Great lightweight folder. I wish I had not sold it.
 
If I was buying a knife made in Seki by a reputable company I would feel confident that the quality was high. Mostly because if they put out a bad knife then they risk the consumers thinking every knife from that location was bad.

If I was buying from a custom maker I would want to know more than just the city they work in.

Seki has a well-earned reputation for being home to makers and factories putting out very high quality knives, but unfortunately that reputation could also be a marketing draw card for less scrupulous makers who just want to sponge off other's high standards.
 
I know my Gryphon M-10 is out of Seki City and it's a gem in VG-10.
 
Last edited:
I have not been displeased with any knife I have purchased with SEKI on the blade. Usually these knives are VG-10, but of sound quality. I view it as a mark of excellence. I believe my SK5 SOG Tigershark is a Seki blade, the SOG Vulcan and Mini-Vulcan, SOG Access Card 2.0, as is the serrated Air Sog (mentioned above) that I have as well. Yes, back in my early BF days, I did a lot of business with SOG and never really was left down. I moved on.

Back in the 70-80's, the cheap stuff was coming out of Japan which moved primarily to Taiwan and more recently China. The Taiwan knives are generally okay if you are comfortable with the steel used. Now, Japan is viewed as a mark of excellence.
 
Even in the 80's I think the impression was Japan made was inferior, yet the truth IMO was the opposite. I have Japanese slip joints from the early 80's that are tighter than any of my US made knives from the same era.
 
Many Spydercos, Al Mar knives, Fallkniven and Gryphon are made in Seki City, that I know of. I'm sure there are others. Every Seki knife I've owned had custom quality fit and finish, and were worth every penny paid even though they "only" were VG10 steel :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top