Yoshida Metal Industry (GLOBAL) 吉田金属工業株式会社
Tsubame, NiigataFactoriesEst. 1954 (GLOBAL launched 1983) ✓ Seen in person · 2026-09-14
Quick answer
MakerYoshida Metal Industry (GLOBAL)RegionTsubame, Niigata (Tsubame-Sanjo)
MarksGLOBAL / GLOBAL-ISTSteelsCROMOVA 18
Knife types madeSantoku, Gyuto, Petty, Nakiri, SujihikiMain useAll-round home knife: vegetables, fish, meat. The first knife to buy.
Recommended whetstone1000 → 3000 JIS · how to sharpenMaintenanceWipe dry after use. Dishwasher still not recommended — the heat and detergent dull the edge and loosen handles.
Marks on the blade
| Mark | Reads | Kind | Confidence | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLOBAL | Global | logo | Seen in person | |
| GLOBAL-IST | Global-IST | logo | Seen in person |
About
All-stainless one-piece knives with the sand-filled dimpled handle. No kanji mark — 'GLOBAL' or 'GLOBAL-IST' is stamped in Latin letters. GLOBAL-IST is the newer line with wa-style handles.
Steels
- CROMOVA 18 — Yoshikin's proprietary stainless used in every GLOBAL knife since 1983.
Facts
Kanaよしだきんぞくこうぎょう
Smith / productionFactory
Address燕市吉田西太田2078-3 · YOSHIKIN SHOP Tsubame in the head office
Tel—
Websitewww.yoshikin.co.jp
Typical overseas priceUS$90–300
Knife types made
- Santoku 三徳 · All-round home knife: vegetables, fish, meat. The first knife to buy.
- Gyuto (chef's knife) 牛刀 · Western-style chef's knife: meat, large vegetables, rocking cuts.
- Petty ペティ · Small jobs in hand: peeling, trimming, garnish, fruit.
- Nakiri 菜切 · Vegetables only: straight up-and-down cuts, thin slices, cabbage, daikon.
- Sujihiki 筋引 · Long slicer for roasts, brisket, portioning fish without bones.
Care for these steels
Stainless (VG10 / AUS10 / molybdenum / CROMOVA / SG2)
- Wipe dry after use. Dishwasher still not recommended — the heat and detergent dull the edge and loosen handles.
- Powder steels (SG2) chip rather than roll: avoid bones, frozen food and twisting cuts.
- Sharpen on #1000; finish on #3000–5000 if you like a polished edge.
Where to buy
Buy direct from Sanjo (through us)Maker websiteAmazon US affiliateAmazon JP affiliate
Products (1)
| Series / brand | Item | Type | mm | Steel | Construction · finish | Handle | Price | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLOBAL | ステーキナイフ&フォーク セット | Petty | — | CROMOVA 18 | all-stainless | all-stainless | ¥8,800 (shelf) | shelf label, Sanjo shop |
Photos
Photos will be added as we photograph our own knives or receive images from the maker.