Cutlery from Tsubame City, Niigata Prefecture

Standard Products cutlery is crafted in Tsubame city, Niigata prefecture, a region renowned for its metal processing industry.

 

Many people are familiar with the name "Tsubame-Sanjo," which is also the name of the local Shinkansen station. It represents both Tsubame City and Sanjo City - two neighbouring areas that together contribute to the region's rich tradition of metal processing.

 

The history of metalworking dates back to the Edo period, when local farmers began forging Japanese nails as a side job. Over time, the metalworking industry gradually grew and evolved to become a major industry, making the region a global leader in metal processing.

 

 

Today, the name Tsubame-Sanjo has become known worldwide, having produced the cutlery for the Nobel Peace Prize Banquet and the molds used in Apple's iPhone production.

 

Among its many achievements, Tsubame City boasts a domestic production share of over 90% for spoons, knives, forks, and more. It is also a city where professionals with decades of experience in this field gather.

 

 

 

Each piece of Standard Products cutlery is handmade, one by one, by veteran craftsmen in Tsubame City. Unlike mass-produced cutlery made entirely in a single factory, our cutlery undergoes a meticulous process where each step - cutting, grinding, polishing, and cleaning - is handed by specialised factories.

 

Polishing, in particular, is entrusted to expert artisans who fine-tune every detail by hand. Since cutlery is used daily and comes into direct contact with the mouth, precision and quality are paramount.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Western-style cutlery is often too large for Japanese people. At Standard Products, cutlery is available in a slightly smaller size to ensure a comfortable and effortless grip. While the difference in the overall length may be only a few centimetres or millimetres, the subtle adjustment enhances usability in a way you may not even realize it - until you experience it for yourself.

 

Additionally, our cutlery handle feature a matte finish. At restaurants, you will often find cutlery with a glossy mirror finish to create a high-end look. However, a matte finish is more practical for everyday use at home as it hides visible fingerprints and dirt, keeping your cutlery looking cleaner for longer.

 

At Standard Products, we believe that it's the small touches and details that make a big difference. Our goal is to create everyday essentials that are not just beautifully crafted, but also designed to be loved for years to come.