About Suwada1926 – Japanese Craftsmanship in Brussels
Suwada1926 is the European branch of Suwada Blacksmith Works in Sanjo, Japan.
From our base in Brussels, we bring Japanese-made nail nippers, tools and ritual objects to customers across the EU and beyond.
Our role is simple:
Serve Suwada’s customers closer to home, in European time zones,
and introduce Japanese master craftspeople whose work is still unknown here.
We currently ship worldwide and are steadily building a physical presence in Europe through our Brussels showroom.
Why Suwada Came to Europe
Suwada has been making cutting tools in Japan since 1926. As more customers in Europe discovered our nail nippers, bonsai tools and kitchen knives, it became clear that we needed:
- Faster, local customer service in EU time zones
- Local stock for quicker delivery and easier returns
- A place where people could touch and try the tools in person
That’s why the third Suwada subsidiary was created in Brussels in 2021, joining Suwada London (UK) and Suwada Hong Kong.
Our Showroom in Brussels
Our Brussels location is both office and showroom.
Here you can:
- Try different nail nippers, cuticle tools and grooming items
- Discover kitchen knives and tools chosen for daily use
- See a selection of Suwada Select products – Japanese and European craftsmanship we personally admire
- Get your kitchen knives sharpened on-site (by appointment or during set sharpening days)
Alongside Japanese makers, you’ll also find work by European craftspeople, especially razors and skincare products that match our standards of quality and longevity.
Meet the Brussels Team
Ena – From Sanjo to Brussels
Ena grew up in Sanjo, Niigata, the hometown of Suwada.
After studying in the UK, she worked for many years at Suwada in Japan, taking care of customers and events in the Factory Shop and at exhibitions. She also spent a year training in the genba – the production floor – learning how the tools are really made.
In Brussels she leads marketing, communication, and curation of “Suwada Select”, choosing products for their craftsmanship and thoughtful design.
Her favourite Suwada tools: the Original Nail Nipper and Toki cuticle nipper.
Georgios – Physics, Coffee & Blades
Georgios studied physics and business and received an MBA scholarship while working in Japan. Before joining Suwada, he managed coffee shops in London, then moved to Japan for “a short adventure” that became much more.
At Suwada’s Open Factory he learned about production, exports and sharpening, including a light genba training on the factory floor. Fascinated by the detail of Japanese blades, he started sharpening at home and built friendships with bladesmiths in Tsubame-Sanjo.
In Brussels he divides his time between helping customers, sharpening knives, and making coffee in the shop.
His favourite Suwada tools: damascus cufflinks and the gyuto kitchen knife.
Together with our colleagues worldwide, we’re part of a team of around 75 Suwada employees.
Suwada Blacksmith Works – Since 1926
Suwada Blacksmith Works is based in Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture, one of the world’s most respected regions for high-end cutlery and metalwork.
The company’s story began in 1926, when founder Shukusaburo Kobayashi started making kuikiri (end-cut pliers) for carpenters after the Great Kanto Earthquake. From there, Suwada moved into:
- Nail nippers
- Pruning tools and bonsai shears
- Kitchen and table tools
Over almost 100 years, many companies in the region have disappeared. Suwada has continued by doing two things at once:
- Preserving traditional skills, passed from master to apprentice
- Constantly improving designs and manufacturing, from materials to finishing
Today the company is led by the third-generation CEO, Tomoyuki Kobayashi.
Craftsmanship & Philosophy
Every Suwada tool passes through the hands of several craftspeople. Machines support the work, but they do not replace it. The critical steps – forging, grinding, joining and finishing – are still guided by human eyes and hands.
Our principles:
- Uncompromising sharpness – clean, controlled cuts that protect nails and plants
- Honest materials – high-quality steels designed to hold an edge and last for years
- Functional beauty – tools that are comfortable to use and satisfying to look at
Suwada has been recognised with multiple Good Design Awards, Design for Asia Awards, and other prizes for both product design and as a model small/medium manufacturer. But for us, the real measure is simpler:
A tool should feel good in the hand, work perfectly, and stay with you for a long time.
Our Logo & What It Means
The Suwada logo uses two Japanese punctuation marks – ten (comma) and maru (period). Together they form a red symbol that suggests both movement and completion.
- Suwada Bright Red represents the fire of the forge.
- The circle and stroke suggest the continuity of craftsmanship, passed from one generation to the next.
For us, edged tools are more than products. They are part of the “baton” of human ingenuity, carried from past to future. Our mission is to make tools that deserve to be passed on.
Awards & Recognition (short version)
Over the years Suwada has received numerous awards, including:
- Multiple Good Design Awards (Japan) for nail nippers, cuticle tools, chestnut peelers, walking sticks and more
- Design for Asia Awards
- IDS Design Competition prizes for products such as damascus cufflinks and bookmarks
- Recognition from METI (Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) as an exemplary small/medium manufacturer
Visit Us & Stay in Touch
Showroom & Office – Brussels
Rue Stevin, 117A
1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Browse Suwada tools and Suwada Select items
- Book knife sharpening
- Discover Japanese and European craftsmanship in person
You can also find us online:
- Instagram / Facebook / TikTok / YouTube (Suwada1926 / Suwada Europe)
- Google Maps: Suwada – Japanese Gift Shop, Brussels
We’re always open to feedback, advice and collaboration.
Our promise is to keep improving daily, so that the tools you buy from us feel better every year you use them.
