Japanese knifemaker Hiko Ito brings the traditional craft of his hometown to Hawai‘i. Hiko Ito Custom Knives combines the functionality of Japanese design with Hawaiian elements to create one-of-a-kind knives not available elsewhere. All knives are made with the highest quality stainless steel and heat-treated to the desired hardness. This produces the best combination of edge retention and durability specific to the use of each knife. Handle materials are locally acquired on the Big Island. Koa, ‘ōhi‘a, and mango wood are stabilized in a vacuum chamber to ensure their durability and are ergonomically shaped by hand by the maker. The aesthetic beauty of Hawaiian wood is masterfully combined with Ito’s utilitarian design to create functional art. Hiko’s knives are available every Saturday morning at Waimea Town Market and also online at HikoIto.com.