Growing up in Eastern Canada, I enjoyed outdoor activities which gave me plenty of chances to use a diversity of blades. I was constantly disappointed with the blades I was exposed to. From these experiences came my desire to make something better...

Shortly after graduating from high school, I traveled to Japan.  My interest in blades led me to a Japanese bladesmith's shop. In no time at all, I was engaged in an apprenticeship under the tutelage of a 16th generation Yoshimoto bladesmith.

I speak Japanese fluently and can ready fairly well. I think that it would have been impossible to understand the "essence" of Japanese bladesmithing without the language ability and I am very thankful for it.

Upon completing my apprenticeship, I was asked to take the position of number seventeen in the Sakemoto family tradition of Yoshimoto Bladesmithing. I believe I am the only Caucasian ever to have had the honor and privilege of this position.

My first forged Knife 1990

In June 1999 I passed the American Bladesmith Society Mastersmith cutting performance test under the supervision of W.F Moran. The blade I tested was of the same construction as the knife featured in "The Last Kajiya", with a 200 layer Damascus steel core.

	In June 2001, I was awarded the rating of Mastersmith by the American Bladesmith Society, thus proving a degree of competency by Western standards.
After eighteen years of bladesmithing in Japan, my wife and I decided to relocate our family to Vernonia, Oregon, USA.
During these years I have been truly blessed to have had such wonderful customers. Many purchase additional knives while others simply stop by for a visit.  This gives me an overwhelming sense of gratitude and humility.  Your indications of satisfaction provides the motivation to produce the highest performance cutlery available in the world today.