What Kasumi does

Kasumi is a Russian specialty retailer of authentic Japanese knives and premium kitchen accessories, founded in 2007 and operated as an individual entrepreneur (ИП Чермянин Сергей Олегович) headquartered in Moscow. The company distributes its own Kasumi-branded knife series (Damascus, VG-10 PRO, Hammer, Titanium, Diacross, Tora, Masterpiece) alongside curated Japanese and international brands including Rockstead, Masahiro, Mcusta Zanmai, William Henry, Fujiwara Kitchen, and Hattori, plus complementary Japanese goods such as S-HEART-S combs and Platinum Pen writing instruments. The catalog spans 2,000+ SKUs across kitchen knives (726), folding knives (686), author/custom knives (344), tourist knives (292), sharpening tools (143), and supporting accessories, with per-unit pricing ranging from ~RUB 4,000 to RUB 245,000.

The business operates a direct-to-consumer model through its e-commerce site (knife.kasumi.ru) and two physical retail stores in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, supplemented by a B2B HoReCa channel (Kasumi HoReCa / Kasumi-Chef), a wholesale channel (Kasumi Opt), and a service line (Kasumi Service) offering knife sharpening, repair, and custom sheath manufacturing. Customer acquisition relies on content marketing, an active YouTube channel, a VK community, an editorial Info Portal, and the KASUMI Club loyalty program, with no venture funding, M&A activity, or external investors disclosed.

The company is founder-owned, bootstrapped, and structurally an individual entrepreneur — a small-business form that constrains scalability signals such as headcount disclosure, institutional capital, and corporate parentage. Geographic operations are limited to Russia, and revenue is not publicly disclosed. Strategic activity over the past five years has centered on incrementally deepening the catalog (Diacross launch in 2021, Fujiwara Kitchen in 2023, author-knife expansion in 2024, Rockstead HIGO II in 2026) and building out the HoReCa and service verticals rather than on geographic or platform expansion.

Name

Kasumi

Legal name

ИП Чермянин Сергей Олегович

Website

https://knife.kasumi.ru

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Kasumi is a Russian specialty retailer founded in 2007 that sells authentic Japanese knives, kitchen accessories, and complementary premium Japanese goods to individual consumers, collectors, and HoReCa professionals via e-commerce, two Moscow/St. Petersburg stores, and B2B wholesale.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Moscow

HQ country

Russia

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Retail product sales: Kasumi generates revenue through the direct sale of Japanese knives, kitchen utensils, sharpening tools, accessories, and related products via its e-commerce website and physical retail stores. Revenue is primarily one-time transactional, with additional revenue from knife sharpening and repair services (Kasumi Service).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kasumi is a Russian online and brick-and-mortar retailer specializing in Japanese kitchen knives (chef's knives, santoku, yanagiba, deba, usuba, petty, slicing, bread, and ceramic knives), folding knives, tourist/EDC knives, fishing and craft knives, custom/author knives from Japanese master craftspeople, and knife accessories (cutting boards, magnetic holders, sheaths, whetstones, knife sharpeners). The retailer also sells complementary Japanese goods — S-HEART-S trichological combs and scalp brushes, and Platinum Pen writing instruments — and provides knife sharpening, repair, and custom-sheath services through KASUMI Service and a HoReCa program.

Product overview

Kasumi is a Russian online and brick-and-mortar retailer specializing in Japanese knives and premium kitchen accessories. The product portfolio centers on the company's own Kasumi brand (Damascus, Tora, Diacross, Titanium, Hammer, VG-10 PRO, and Masterpiece series), alongside curated Japanese knife brands including Masahiro, Mcusta Zanmai, Rockstead, William Henry, and Fujiwara Kitchen. The company also offers custom/author knives from individual Japanese master artisans, comprehensive knife sets, sharpening tools, knife accessories, S-HEART-S Japanese hair combs, Platinum Pen writing instruments, and HoReCa service solutions. Kasumi operates physical retail stores in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, with an e-commerce platform offering delivery across Russia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KASUMI Damascus: Primary knife series featuring VG-10 steel core with 32-layer stainless Damascus steel cladding. The main product line that made the Kasumi brand internationally known.
• KASUMI VG-10 PRO
• KASUMI Hammer
• KASUMI Titanium
• KASUMI Tora
• KASUMI Diacross
• KASUMI Damascus Masterpiece (Шедевры)
• KASUMI Club
• KASUMI Опт
• KASUMI Сервис
• S-HEART-S

Products and services

• Kasumi Damascus Kitchen Knives Premium kitchen knives with VG-10 stainless steel core clad in 32-layer Damascus steel, stabilized wood handles; for home cooks and professionals seeking premium Japanese-style cutlery.
• Kasumi Tora Kitchen Knives Entry-level kitchen knives in modern Japanese-style design with molybdenum-vanadium AUS-6A steel and Japanese magnolia wood handles; for first-time buyers of Japanese knives.
• Kasumi Diacross Kitchen Knives All-metal restaurant-grade kitchen knives with 1.4116 Krupp surgical steel blades and hollow stainless steel handles, designed to meet professional hygiene requirements; for HoReCa and pro kitchens.
• Kasumi Titanium Kitchen Knives Kitchen knives combining molybdenum-vanadium steel cores with 6AM titanium coating that prevents food oxidation; available in grey, blue, and gold finishes for home cooks.
• Kasumi Hammer Kitchen Knives Designer kitchen knives with a hammered pattern on blade cladding (moon-surface/raindrop look), VG-10 steel core, sandblasted slopes, and manual lens-shaped sharpening; for collectors and design-oriented buyers.
• Kasumi VG-10 PRO Kitchen Knives Professional-grade kitchen knives with VG-10 stainless steel for enhanced edge retention and durability; premium positioning within the Kasumi lineup for serious home and professional users.
• Kasumi Damascus Masterpiece Knives Top-tier Damascus knives showcasing the highest craftsmanship within the Kasumi brand, with exceptional Damascus patterns and premium materials; for collectors and premium gift purchases.
• Masahiro SanKei Kitchen Knives Mass-produced basic Masahiro kitchen knives featuring AUS-8 Japanese steel with excellent cutting properties and temperature/moisture-resistant compressed wood veneer handles; for HoReCa and entry-level Japanese-knife buyers.
• Masahiro 106xx Japanese Kitchen Knives Professional chef knives with single-bevel edges made from MBS-26 stainless molybdenum-vanadium steel; traditional Japanese knives (Yanagiba, Deba, Ko-Deba, Usuba) for Japanese cuisine and sushi/sashimi preparation.
• Fujiwara Kitchen FKM Knives European-style kitchen knives from a family that has crafted sword blades for 25 generations; blades marked with Fujiwara Kanefusa katana tempering techniques; for serious home cooks and collectors.
• Mcusta Zanmai Folding and Kitchen Knives Japanese folding and kitchen knives with VG-10 steel and Damascus, micarta, and other handle materials across the Zanmai Classic PRO, Revolution, Forest, Modern Molybdenum, Hybrid Splash Damascus, Classic Corian, Ultimate Aranami, and Exceed series; for collectors and EDC users.
• Rockstead Folding Knives Premium Japanese folding knives with ZDP-189 powder steel blades, titanium handles, and carbon fiber overlays; ultra-premium collectibles for knife collectors and connoisseurs.
• William Henry Custom Folding Knives American custom and luxury folding knives with premium materials and artisanal craftsmanship; collectibles for Russian connoisseurs and gifting.
• Custom / Author Knives from Japanese Masters Handcrafted knives by Japanese master artisans (Yanagida Seiji, Sakurai Kazuyuki, Hiroshi Saito, Azuma Hayashi, Kuki Ryuichi, Kato Shiryu, Tomoyuki Nemoto, Ohta Atsutaka); tourist, folding, and kitchen custom knives for collectors.
• Kitchen Knife Sets Curated knife sets including Damascus gift sets, Tora kitchen sets, Diacross sets, and Masahiro SanKei sets, available in European and Japanese configurations; for home cooks and as gifts.
• Kasumi Diacross Kitchen Accessories Kitchen utensils in the Diacross series including vegetable peelers, kitchen scissors, and other tools with all-metal construction; complements the Diacross knife line for HoReCa and home users.
• Sharpening Tools (Whetstones and Sharpeners) Water stones, oil stones, knife sharpeners, and stone-fixing stones from brands including Suehiro for maintaining knife edges; for home cooks and professionals maintaining their cutlery.
• Knife Accessories (Holders, Stands, Bags, Care Kits, Sheaths) EDC accessories, knife stands and boxes, magnetic holders, knife bags and cases, knife care kits, and custom sheaths; for storage, carry, and upkeep of Japanese knives.
• S-HEART-S Japanese Combs and Scalp Brushes Japanese hair combs and scalp brushes developed by a professional trichologist (Osaka University professor), featuring the CURE Treatment Brush, Scalp Brush, Scalp Brush Plus, Scalp Brush Premium, and Scalp Brush Gold lines; for individual consumers seeking premium hair/scalp care.
• Platinum Pen Writing Instruments Japanese fountain pens, multifunctional pens, calligraphy pens, ballpoint pens, inks, cartridges, and pen accessories from the Platinum Pen brand; for writing enthusiasts and as gifts.
• KASUMI Service (Knife Sharpening, Repair, Custom Sheaths) Professional knife service including sharpening, repair, and custom sheath manufacturing for all knife types; for home cooks, collectors, and HoReCa operators needing ongoing knife maintenance.
• Kasumi HoReCa / Kasumi Chef Program Specialized B2B program for hotels, restaurants, and catering offering professional knife procurement, sharpening, repair, and custom sheath manufacturing; for hospitality and foodservice operators.
• Kasumi Opt (Wholesale Channel) Wholesale B2B channel for bulk purchases of Japanese knives and accessories targeting resellers, businesses, restaurants, and professional kitchens; for commercial buyers.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rockstead (Рокстед), ЯпонияcoreOthersRockstead is a premier Japanese knife manufacturer whose products are a core part of Kasumi's catalog. Kasumi distributes Rockstead folding knives, tourist knives, and accessories including the premium Rockstead HIGO II series.
• KASUMI (Касуми), ЯпонияcoreOthersKasumi is both the retailer and the brand — Kasumi is a Japanese knife brand whose products are exclusively distributed through Kasumi's own retail channels. The brand produces multiple series including Damascus, VG-10 PRO, Hammer, Titanium, Diacross, Tora, and Masterpiece.
• MASAHIRO (Масахиро), ЯпонияcoreOthersMasahiro is a leading Japanese knife factory representing approximately 80% of knife production for meat processing in Japan. Kasumi distributes Masahiro's SanKei, 106xx, and other series.
• Mcusta (Мкаста), ЯпонияcoreOthersMcusta is a Japanese manufacturer of folding knives and kitchen knives. Kasumi distributes Mcusta's Zanmai series and various folding knife models.
• William Henry (Уильям Генри), СШАcoreOthersWilliam Henry is an American luxury knife manufacturer. Kasumi distributes William Henry's author and collector knives in Russia.
• Hattori (Хаттори), ЯпонияminorOthersHattori is a Japanese knife manufacturer producing tourist and folding knives. Kasumi distributes Hattori HD series knives.
• Fujiwara Kitchen (Фудживара), ЯпонияminorOthersFujiwara Kitchen is a Japanese manufacturer specializing in kitchen knives following Japanese traditions. The Fujiwara family has produced sword blades for 25 generations.
• S-HEART-S, ЯпонияminorOthersS-HEART-S is a Japanese company producing premium combs and scalp brushes based on a patented trichological technology developed by a professor from Osaka University. Kasumi distributes S-HEART-S products as a complementary line.
• Platinum Pen, ЯпонияminorOthersPlatinum Pen is a Japanese manufacturer of premium fountain pens, calligraphy pens, ballpoint pens, inks, and accessories. Kasumi distributes Platinum Pen products as a complementary Japanese luxury goods line.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Japanese Knife Imports (JKI): US-based retailer specializing in curated Japanese kitchen knives, sharpening stones, and accessories from leading Japanese makers. Closely mirrors Kasumi's curated-Japanese-knife e-commerce proposition with strong content and educational marketing.
• Korin: New York-based specialist retailer of Japanese kitchen knives, sharpening tools, and Japanese culinary supplies. Directly comparable to Kasumi as a multi-brand Japanese knife curator with both walk-in showroom and e-commerce distribution.
• Bernal Cutlery: San Francisco-based specialty retailer focused on Japanese kitchen knives, custom and semi-custom pieces, and in-house sharpening services. Closely comparable on the curated-Japanese-knife plus service (sharpening) business model.
• MTC Kitchen: US-based specialty retailer of Japanese kitchen knives and professional cutlery, serving both home cooks and the restaurant/HoReCa segment — comparable to Kasumi's hybrid B2C/HoReCa go-to-market.
• Sugimoto Knife: Japan-based specialty retailer of handcrafted Japanese kitchen knives and sharpening tools, exporting internationally. Comparable as a specialist curator and channel for traditional and modern Japanese knife craftsmanship.
• Chef Knives To Go: US online specialist retailer of Japanese and high-end kitchen knives, known for detailed product content, sharpening services, and curated brand assortments. A direct comparable in terms of curated-Japanese-knife e-commerce model.
• Tojiro: Japanese cutlery manufacturer that also operates its own direct retail channels for kitchen knives. Relevant as both a Kasumi-supplied maker and as a vertically integrated Japanese-knife brand/retailer competing for the same customer.

Broad incumbents

• Zwilling J.A. Henckels: Global premium cutlery house with broad kitchen-knife, tool, and accessories portfolios distributed worldwide. Comparable as a large, established kitchen-cutlery incumbent against which niche Japanese-curator retailers like Kasumi compete.
• Wüsthof: German premium cutlery manufacturer with global retail distribution across kitchen knives and accessories. Comparable as a broad incumbent kitchen-knife brand competing with Japanese-curator specialists for premium cooks and HoReCa buyers.
• Cangshan Cutlery: Globally distributed cutlery brand offering kitchen knives and kitchen tools across mass and premium channels. Broader incumbent in the cutlery category with overlapping products (kitchen knives, accessories) but less Japan-specific curation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/kasumirussia
• Facebookfacebook.com/kasumiknife
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kasumi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kasumi