Buying Guide

Sashiko

Best Sashiko Needles: 4 Packs from Japanese Makers, Compared by Length and Eye

Four sashiko needle packs from Japanese makers Clover, Lecien, Tulip and Olympus compared by length, thickness and eye size, plus how sashiko needles differ from regular needles and when a thimble helps.
2026.10.04
Sashiko
Japanese Knives

Best Japanese Santoku Knife 2026: Picks by Budget, Steel and Handle

Five Japanese santoku knives compared by budget, steel and handle: Kai, Tojiro, Sakai Takayuki, Takamura and Tsunehisa, from about ＄57 to ＄292.
2026.10.03
Japanese Knives
Sashiko

Best Sashiko Pattern Books: 5 Picks by What You Want to Stitch

Five English-language sashiko pattern books compared by use: a first book, a pattern reference, a stitch dictionary, a daily sampler, and a mending guide.
2026.10.03
Sashiko
Japanese Knives

Best Japanese Paring Knife Under ＄80: 3 Picks from 100mm to 110mm

Three paring-size Japanese knives (100–110mm) under ＄80, from Kai, Global and Yaxell, compared by steel, hardness, blade length and current price.
2026.09.28
Japanese Knives
Japanese Knives

Best Japanese Knife Brands: Which Ones Are Worth the Money?

A brand-by-brand look at well-known Japanese knife makers, where they come from, and why steel, construction, and region tell you more than a logo does.
2026.09.25
Japanese Knives