Hello everybody, my name is Joey and I’ve been part of the Tosho family since 2018. I love working with my hands and being outdoors, most of my time outside of work is spent riding my bike and completing essays. 

When I started at Tosho, I had a very little understanding of the technical aspects of knives. Defining characteristics, such as knife geometry and material, had no bearing on my understanding of how a knife performed. After spending some time experiencing knife culture with a great team, I’ve picked up some knowledge and respect for knives, the tools used to craft and make them, and the makers themselves.  

I am close to completing a philosophy undergrad, something which has given me a love for the analysis and derivation of meaning from the work that gets put into knife making and the end-products themselves. In terms of their relevance in philosophy, knives become an extension of one soul to another. These tools exist as extensions of the legacies forged by generations of knife makers and sharpeners, brought closer to the individual who incorporates this history in  daily tasks. The kitchen knife, regardless of style and how one uses it, effectively links our present existence to those from the past, those who have directed their effort to manipulate natural materials in such a way where they then take form as functional legacies. 

Something I cherish at Tosho is the connection to the process. It isn’t merely the connection to history that’s found within the walls of our store, but the ability to learn and become involved with the care and maintenance of knives themselves, something which can be further passed down generations and can foster community.