VG-10 has earned a reputation as one of the most popular stainless steels in Japanese cutlery, and this 170mm santoku from Yoshimi Kato shows why. The core is hardened to about 61 to 62 HRC, giving it strong edge retention while still being easy to bring back to sharp on simple water stones.
The outer layers are a softer stainless steel finished in the suminagashi style, an acid etched Damascus pattern that gives the blade a flowing, water like look. The santoku carries a tall blade and a symmetrical 50/50 grind, suited to general slicing and dicing tasks in the kitchen. The knife is finished with an oval rosewood handle, and the whole package is made at Takefu Knife Village in Echizen, where Kato is known for fine fit and finish at an accessible price.
Care Instructions:VG-10 is a low maintenance stainless steel, so hand wash and dry the blade after use rather than running it through a dishwasher. Avoid cutting through bones or frozen foods, and sharpen on quality water stones when the edge needs attention. The etched Damascus finish scratches more easily than a plain polished blade, so store it in a saya or knife block rather than on a magnetic strip.
The outer layers are a softer stainless steel finished in the suminagashi style, an acid etched Damascus pattern that gives the blade a flowing, water like look. The santoku carries a tall blade and a symmetrical 50/50 grind, suited to general slicing and dicing tasks in the kitchen. The knife is finished with an oval rosewood handle, and the whole package is made at Takefu Knife Village in Echizen, where Kato is known for fine fit and finish at an accessible price.
Care Instructions:VG-10 is a low maintenance stainless steel, so hand wash and dry the blade after use rather than running it through a dishwasher. Avoid cutting through bones or frozen foods, and sharpen on quality water stones when the edge needs attention. The etched Damascus finish scratches more easily than a plain polished blade, so store it in a saya or knife block rather than on a magnetic strip.
- Blacksmith: Yoshimi Kato
- Location: Echizen, Japan
- Workshop: Takefu Knife Village
- Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
- Edge Steel: VG-10 Stainless Steel
- Cladding: Stainless Damascus (Suminagashi)
- HRC: 61-62
- Edge Grind: 50/50
- Handle: Rosewood Oval
- Weight: 4.4 oz (126 g)
- Blade Length: 171 mm
- Total Length: 311 mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 2 mm
- Blade Height: 46 mm
