How we choose our products
One of the most frequent questions I get from folks browsing in the shop is, "How do you choose your inventory?" It's a great question, and finding high-quality knives and tools made with genuine care is easily my favorite part of the job.
When I opened the shop in 2020, the business was built around a sharpening service for our local community. From the start, I wanted to curate a selection of knives that were affordable, exceptionally high quality, and unique: not the same inventory you find in every kitchen supply store.
Our first suppliers were K Sabatier in France, Pallarès in Spain, and Sakai Kikumori in Japan. All three are family-owned businesses I'd already built relationships with during my time as a buyer for Bernal Cutlery in San Francisco. Since then, we've worked expanding our Japanese knife selection. Sourcing from Japan is a unique process; the wait times for hand-crafted orders can span years, which makes it especially exciting when a new batch finally arrives at the shop.
My recent trip to Japan was an important step in strengthening these relationships and opening up new sourcing opportunities. A few of the makers we work with produce knives you won't find almost anywhere else in the country. Building these personal connections is essential to how we bring unique pieces to our community, and I hope to plan another visit to Japan soon, along with a sourcing trip to Europe.
Beyond kitchen cutlery, I strive to stock a dedicated selection of pocket knives, outdoor tools, axes, garden tools, and kitchen tools. I have a particular affinity for pocket knives - especially Spyderco - and make it a tradition to carry and use a new one each year. Hands-on testing is central to how we work: if I use a tool and it doesn't meet my standards, we won't sell it. That testing is what lets us give you honest, practical advice when you're looking for the right tool for the job. Likewise, if a customer gives me negative feedback or particular observations about any product, I take it seriously.
Ultimately, our inventory is shaped by my own experience and by your feedback. Many of our favorite products ended up on the shelves simply because a customer asked for them.
In that spirit, if there's a knife, tool or kitchen accessory you've been looking for, reply and tell me - maybe I can track it down.
Thanks for all your continued support,
Sam
P.S.
If you have made a purchase from Uptown Cutlery in the past, consider leaving a review of that product on the website, and/or rate us on Google. Every review really helps our little business grow a little bit more.