Entry No. 012 · Verified profile
Kei Kobayashi
Knife maker, Seki, Gifu
2 in stock · 60 listings at 3 shops ↓- Region
- Seki, Gifu
- Kanji (銘)
- 小林 圭
- Main steels
- SG2/R2
- Listings tracked
- 60 live listings · 3 shops
Profile
- Seki-based knife maker, born in 1977.1
- Started as a sharpener, finishing blades for established Seki makers, before launching his own Kobayashi line within the family business.2
- Works only in SG2/R2 powder stainless, clad in softer stainless; Hocho Knife gives the core hardness as about 63 HRC.2
- Known for very thin, "laser"-style grinds; many models have a red lacquered handle.2
Statements are paraphrased from the cited pages (makers' own sites, local-government guides and retailers). Founding year, family lineage and workshop address are left blank where no primary source was found.
Where to buy now
We track 60 current Kei Kobayashi listings across 3 shops (Hocho Knife 44, Tokushu Knife 9, Knifewear 7). 2 are in stock, 14 sold out, and 44 not yet stock-checked by us (use “Check stock” to see it at the shop). Middle 80% of prices: USD $301–$1,494; CAD C$375–C$515. Lowest in-stock price: C$369 (Kobayashi SG2 Santoku 170mm, Knifewear). Most listed shapes: gyuto (20), sujihiki (11), petty (8); common lengths 170 mm, 210 mm, 240 mm.
| Product | Price | Stock | Checked | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hocho Knife 44 listings · 0 in stock · 44 stock not yet checked · prices in USD | ||||
| Kei Kobayashi R2 Special Finished CS Japanese Chef's Nakiri(Vegetable) 165mm with Red Lacquered Wood Handle | $304 | Check stock ↗ | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗Affiliate link |
| Kei Kobayashi R2 Special Finished OK8BYW Japanese Chef's Nakiri(Vegetable) 165mm with Urushi Lacquered Oak Handle | $330 | Check stock ↗ | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗Affiliate link |
| Kei Kobayashi R2 Special Finished RS8R Japanese Chef's Nakiri(Vegetable) 165mm with Red-Ring Octagonal Handle | $330 | Check stock ↗ | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗Affiliate link |
| Kei Kobayashi R2 Special Finished CS Japanese Chef's Bunka Knife 170mm with Red Lacquered Wood Handle | $342 | Check stock ↗ | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗Affiliate link |
| Kei Kobayashi R2 Special Finished CS Japanese Chef's Santoku Knife 170mm with Red Lacquered Wood Handle | $342 | Check stock ↗ | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗Affiliate link |
| Kei Kobayashi R2 Special Finished CS Japanese Chef's Petty Knife(Utility) 150mm with Red Lacquered Wood Handle | $351 | Check stock ↗ | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗Affiliate link |
| Kei Kobayashi R2 Special Finished CS Japanese Chef's Gyuto Knife 210mm with Red Lacquered Wood Handle | $355 | Check stock ↗ | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗Affiliate link |
| Kei Kobayashi R2 Special Finished OK8BYW Japanese Chef's Bunka Knife 170mm with Urushi Lacquered Oak Handle | $371 | Check stock ↗ | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗Affiliate link |
| + 36 more Hocho Knife listings tracked · all Kei Kobayashi at Hocho Knife ↗ Affiliate link | ||||
| Tokushu Knife 9 listings · 0 in stock · prices in USD | ||||
| Kei Kobayashi SG2 Migaki Petty 150mm | $230 | Sold out | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗ |
| Kei Kobayashi SG2 Damascus 150mm petty No Handle | $250 | Sold out | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗ |
| Kei Kobayashi SG2 Migaki Bunka 170mm | $275 | Sold out | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗ |
| Kei Kobayashi SG2 / R2 Damascus 165mm Santoku with Rosewood Octagonal Handle | $299 | Sold out | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗ |
| Kei Kobayashi SG2 / R2 Damascus 210mm Gyuto Blade Only | $299 | Sold out | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗ |
| Kei Kobayashi SG2 Migaki 210mm Gyuto | $300 from | Sold out | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗ |
| Kei Kobayashi SG2 Migaki Sujihiki 270mm | $329 | Sold out | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗ |
| Kei Kobayashi SG2 Migaki Gyuto 240mm | $385 | Sold out | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗ |
| + 1 more Tokushu Knife listings tracked | ||||
| Knifewear 7 listings · 2 in stock · prices in CAD | ||||
| Kobayashi SG2 Santoku 170mm | C$369 | In stock | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗ |
| Kobayashi SG2 Damascus Santoku 170mm | C$462 | In stock | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗ |
| Kobayashi SG2 Gyuto 210mm | C$379 | Sold out | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗ |
| Kobayashi SG2 Damascus Gyuto 210mm | C$478 | Sold out | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗ |
| Kobayashi SG2 Damascus Sujihiki 270mm | C$486 | Sold out | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗ |
| Kobayashi SG2 Gyuto 240mm | C$495 | Sold out | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗ |
| Kobayashi SG2 Damascus Gyuto 240mm | C$545 | Sold out | checked 17 Oct 2026 | View ↗ |
Prices and stock are read from each shop's public catalogue (Tokushu Knife, Knifewear, Bernal Cutlery, Hocho Knife) and shown in the shop's own currency, before shipping and tax. Listings not rechecked within 8 days are hidden. Always confirm at the shop. Shops are ordered by number of listings, not by commission. Affiliate disclosure: links marked “Affiliate link” (Hocho Knife) earn us a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you; other shop links carry no affiliate ID. Details.
Mei cases (0)
No published readings for Kei Kobayashi yet.
Owner reports (0)
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Steels in the catalogue
Number of tracked listings that name each steel.