Illustrative still life of a satin-finished Japanese knife resting on a sharpening stone.

Sharpening and polishing

A precise edge.
Respect for the blade.

Japanese tradition, science and 32 years at the sharpening bench. Care informed by an understanding of what happens between steel and stone.

Japanese knives · Professional kitchens · CollectorsExplore the craft

01The craft

Every blade calls for
its own approach.

Steel, geometry and intended use guide every decision. We begin by understanding what your tool needs to cut well again.

Sharpening

Establishing and maintaining an edge, with geometry and finishing suited to the blade and the work it will do.

The edge

Thinning and restoration

Assessing thickness, wear and damage. The work is defined by the condition of the blade and the limits of its material.

The geometry

Polishing

Attention to surfaces, bevels and finish, respecting the construction and character of each blade.

The surface

Straight razors

Sharpening and polishing with close attention to delicate edge geometry and assessment for shaving.

The detail

How we work

Before the stone,
comes the assessment.

Understand the blade, agree on the work and check the result. The care that guides the bench also informs the book.

  1. 01

    Understand

    How you use the blade and what you notice when cutting.

  2. 02

    Assess

    The edge, the geometry and the condition of the blade.

  3. 03

    Refine

    The agreed work, using suitable abrasives and technique.

  4. 04

    Verify

    The result and the care needed during use.

From the bench to the page
Portuguese cover of Afiação e polimento, Volume 1, by Jairo Shnaider: the edge, the material and the abrasive.Portuguese cover of Afiação e polimento, Volume 2, by Jairo Shnaider: practice and context.

Two volumes. An investigation into cutting.

02The book by Jairo Shnaider

Afiação
e polimento

Sharpening and Polishing

Knives, straight razors and sharpening stones, where science meets Japanese tradition.

Book written in Portuguese

A two-volume work bringing together hands-on experience, metallurgy, cutting mechanics, abrasives and Japanese sharpening and polishing traditions.

For readers who want to understand why a technique works, recognize the limits of a claim and make better-informed decisions at the bench.

2volumes111chapters

The edge, the material and the abrasive

What sharpness means; how cutting works; steels, geometry and wear; natural and synthetic stones; grit sizes and abrasives.

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03The person at the bench

Jairo
Shnaider.

Shinken logo: a blade and stone within an ink-brush circle, with the Japanese seal 真剣.
I have been sharpening knives for thirty-two years. For the past twenty, I have wanted to understand the science behind what I do.From the preface of Afiação e polimento, translated from Portuguese

Founder of Shinken, Jairo sharpens and polishes knives and straight razors, with work spanning Brazil and Israel.

The search to understand what happens between steel and stone led to twenty years of study and to Afiação e polimento. The book examines practical experience alongside published evidence, distinguishing measurements, tradition and questions that remain open.

Experience at the bench.
Knowledge shared.

Before we talk

A few questions.

How do I know what my knife needs?

Describe what you notice when cutting and share photographs of the blade and edge. This helps the initial conversation; examining the blade determines the scope of the work.

Can a damaged knife be restored?

It depends on the damage, the remaining material and the blade's construction. The possibilities and limits of restoration need to be assessed before any work begins.

How do we arrange a quote, delivery or shipping?

Contact Shinken with your city, the type of blade and the work you have in mind. Pricing and service arrangements are agreed directly with Shinken.

Is the book suitable for beginners?

The book is written in Portuguese, primarily for professionals and experienced enthusiasts, with technical terms explained. It also provides a beginner's reading path, practical sections and a guide to support study.

Contact Shinken

Let's take care
of your blade.

Tell us about your tool or ask about the book. The conversation starts with what you need.

Prefer to write directly?

shinkenknivesil@gmail.com

What would you like to discuss?

Review the message in your email app and attach photos, if you wish, before sending.