About Us

Shinobi Industries specialises in high-quality handmade Japanese Kitchen Knives. 

Born out of a love for the culinary arts, Shinobi Industries started as a passion project and side business of clasically trained Chef Leif Ibrahim.

Over the last 20 years, Leif has had the privilege of working in some of Sydney's top restaurants, including Milson's, fishface and Quay, along with some training under a 7th year sushi chef. 

Working most of his career primarily in fine dining, Leif noticed Japanese kitchen knives were highly valued for their performance and aesthetics by chefs from all over the world. Every chef he admired had at least one Japanese knife in their kit.

During his stint as an apprentice at Quay, Leif distinctly remembers Peter Gilmore coming back from a recent trip to Japan with a Sujihiki. It was the most beautiful knife he had ever seen. Peter was Leifs hero, so when he let Leif look at his beautiful knife, he knew that he had to have one too.  

After years of hard work, Leif finally got the  opportunity to take time off and travel to Japan for the first time back in 2015. He drove 1500km across Japan, stopping at every knife shop he could find. There was so much to see and so much to learn.

After arriving home in Australia, it didn't take long before his colleagues noticed the new knives he was using. And with another trip back to Japan already being planned, chef's began putting in orders for knives just like his. 

The more he visited Japan, the more his colleagues wanted new knives. 

Over the years, Leif has developed strong professional relationships and close friendships in Japan. He has had the privilege of travelling to Sakai several times to meet some of the renowned craftsmen who continue on the traditions and techniques of their ancestors. 

Leif also completed the advanced knife sharpening course at KAMATA Hakensha in Asakusa, Tokyo.

Now, many knives and many, many trips to Japan later, we are proud to have finally launched our online store.

Thanks to our good friends in Sakai, Osaka, and Kappabashi Dori, Tokyo, we're excited to now  offer a Chef curated collection of handmade kitchen knives from across Japan.

We can proudly say that our own Shinobi 忍 branded knives are Individually  handmade in Sakai, Osaka and sharpened and finished by Tsukasa Ajioka. Ajioka-san is a 3rd generation knife grinder and owner of Sakai Takumi Ajimasa. 

We are also proud to offer a small hand picked selection of knives from other top manufacturers, such as Toshu, Yoshihiro, Koujin Hamono and Sakai Takayuki, with plans to branch out to include other Blacksmiths and Master Craftsmen in the near future.

Our goal is to support the Amazing Japanese Craftsmen who make it possible for us to enjoy both the beauty and functionality of these exquisitely hand crafted kitchen Knives rarely found outside of Japan.

We are completely transparent with how we run our company, and honesty and integrity is at the very forefront of our business model.

Leif started Shinobi Industries because he was sick of seeing people being ripped off or scammed by sellers who had cornered the market. 

You can buy from us with the confidence that you are buying a genuine product, and not only supporting a small family owned Australian business, but also the Japanese Craftsmen and their families who make all of this possible. 

If there is something in particular you want and don't see at our shop, we are also able to source knives from most of the workshops in Sakai.

If you have any questions, have any special requests or want to order a custom knife, please reach out to leif@shinobiindustries.com.au.