Aesthetically perfect cutting instruments
All of Suwadaās products are completely handmade by skilled craftsmen always striving to achieve unparalleled sharpness. Renowned for the quality of the materials used, Suwada is proud to present their latest collection of professional standard cutting instruments.
Our pursuit of functionality and aesthetic perfection has led to Suwada being awarded the Good Design Award on many occasions.
HistoryPride unchanged since foundation, products changing towards the future
Suwada Blacksmith Works is located in the city of Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture, a place long known as one of the worldās leading production centres for high-end cutlery. The companyās history dates back to 1926, when its founder, Shukusaburo Kobayashi, began manufacturing kuikiri, or end-cut pliers, for carpenters in response to surging demand for new housing in the wake of the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.
Ever since then, Suwada has specialised in particular in nipper-cutters that sever an object between a pair of perfectly joined blades, all the while insisting on a meticulous approach to consistency in manufacturing, from carefully selecting raw materials to applying the final touches by hand to finish every product. Although more than a few other enterprises in our industry have fallen by the wayside over the decades, we have not only successfully maintained traditional techniques but also continued to innovate here in the city of Sanjo, where quality materials and skilled craftspeople are in plentiful supply.
1926
Started production of kuikiri, or end-cut pliers, in Ichinokido, Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture.
1956
Moved to Suwada, Sanjo and started production of edged tools for pruning plants and bonsai.
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Moved to a newly built factory in Koanji, Sakae, Minami-kanbara, Niigata Prefecture.
1973
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1974
Incorporated as Suwada Blacksmith Works Inc., with Shukusaburo Kobayashiās son Kiichi assuming the post of president.
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Built a second factory in Kanekoshinden, Sanjo and moved the head office there. Developed Kurikuri Bozu chestnut peeler.
1989
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1993
Built a new office building and a main factory behind the existing factory in Koanji and moved head office into the new office building.
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1995
Kurikuri Bozu II chestnut peeler won a Good Design Award from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI, now the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, or METI).
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1997
Kiichiās son Tomoyuki Kobayashi became representative director. Mirror-finish Hanaeda-basami garden shears won a Good Design Award from MITI.
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Suwada Nail Nipper Lady won a Good DesignAward from the Japan Institute of Design Promotion (JDP).
1998
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2002
Suwada Nail Nipper Soft and Nail Pusher Duo both won Good Design Awards from the JDP.
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Built and opened a new showroom in front of the main factory in Koanji. Address changed from Koanji, Sakae, Minami-kanbara to Koanji, Sanjo due to a merger of municipalities.
2005
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2007
All-new nail nipper received Juryās Special Mention at IDS Design Competition. Opened a showroom and retail shop in London on a one-year contract. Company won a Design Excellent Company Award from the JDP. Company named one of 300 Active Small/Medium Manufacturers by METIās Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Agency. New nail nipper received an Honourable Mention from the Director-General of the SME Agency at the Good Design Awards.
Damascus Cufflinks given a Juryās Award at the IDS Design Competition.Local subsidiaries established in London and Hong Kong.Main factory fully redesigned to become Suwada Open Factory. Cuticle Nipper Toki won a Bronze Award at the Design for Asia Awards.
2011
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2012
Company won a Special Award of the Minister of Health, Labour, and Welfare in a competition to promote the employment of senior citizens.
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Suwada Nail Nipperās New Soft model won a Good Design Award from the JDP.
2013
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