Murray Carter, 17th Generation Yashimoto Bladesmith and Master Bladesmith of Carter Cutlery, joins Bob "The Knife Junkie" DeMarco on episode 344 of The Knife Junkie Podcast. Find show notes and links mentioned in this episode at https://theknifejunkie.com/344.

Carter has had a fascination with knives since he was a young boy. Why some blades cut and others did not was a mystery he felt compelled to unravel. At 15, Murray met a Karate instructor that would stoke a lifelong love of all things Japanese. And at 18, Murray took a trip to Japan, and by chance, met Sensei Yasuyuki Sakemoto, the 16th Generation Yoshimoto Bladesmith whose family made custom samurai swords for some of the most influential feudal lords. 

Over time, his relationship with Sensei Yasuyuki Sakemoto led to a six-year apprenticeship in his shop. When finished with his apprenticeship, Murray was asked to carry on the 420-year old tradition and became the 17th Generation Yashimoto Bladesmith.

Carter worked in Japan as village bladesmith for 12 years, perfecting his skills and acquiring as much knowledge as possible. In 1997, he introduced his hand-forged Japanese kitchen knives and has been plying his craft in the U.S. ever since. In 2001 Murray earned his Master Smith rating with the American Bladesmith Society.

To date he has forged and completed over 31,000 knives, all of which were faithfully crafted using traditional techniques that he learned in Japan.

Today, Carter is set on teaching what he has learned to the next generation, passing down skills and knowledge through rigorous apprenticeships. The Muteki knife line was started by Murray in Japan and was born out of a desire to provide the best knives possible in a price range that was competitive with commonly available factory knives. Muteki knives are currently forged by highly trained, independent journeyman bladesmiths who have graduated from Murray’s rigorous three month intensive Apprentice Program.

Every step of the process is monitored and personally supervised by Murray. Every blade must undergo stringent testing procedures. Only the blades passing these standards get stamped with the Muteki logo on the left side and the bladesmith’s personal stamp on the right side.

Find Carter Cutlery online at www.cartercutlery.com and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cartercutlery.

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