Yoshimi Kato has taken the reins of the workshop founded by his father-in-law, Hiroshi Kato, and is widely regarded as one of the leading blacksmiths working in Echizen today. His knives reflect a careful balance of traditional craftsmanship, refined aesthetics, and practical performance.
The Kato Nashiji Suminagashi Petty 120mm is forged using VG-10 stainless steel, a proven Japanese cutlery steel valued for its strong edge retention, excellent wear resistance, and high corrosion resistance. VG-10 is trusted by some of the most respected names in the industry, including Shun and Miyabi. In this knife, the VG-10 core is clad in softer stainless steel and hammer forged to create a flowing suminagashi (Damascus) pattern. The upper blade road transitions into a nashiji, or pear-skin, finish, giving the knife a distinctive look while maintaining durability and ease of care.
Despite its compact size, this petty is a capable and versatile tool around the kitchen. It excels at in-hand work such as trimming, peeling, garnishing, and other fine detail tasks, while its rigid blade and clean grind allow it to move effortlessly through herbs and small ingredients. Light, precise, and easy to control, this is a fun yet highly functional knife that quickly becomes a favorite for small prep. The Kato Nashiji Suminagashi Petty 120mm is an easy recommendation.Blacksmith: Yoshimi Kato
Made In: Echizen, Japan
Factory: Takefu Village
Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
Edge Steel: VG-10 Stainless
Cladding: Stainless Damascus
Edge Grind: 50/50
Weight: 2.0 oz (58 g)
Blade Length: 121 mm
Total Length: 249 mm
Spine Thickness at Base: 2 mm
Blade Height: 30 mm
Handle: Walnut with Buffalo Horn Ferrule (see photos)
The Kato Nashiji Suminagashi Petty 120mm is forged using VG-10 stainless steel, a proven Japanese cutlery steel valued for its strong edge retention, excellent wear resistance, and high corrosion resistance. VG-10 is trusted by some of the most respected names in the industry, including Shun and Miyabi. In this knife, the VG-10 core is clad in softer stainless steel and hammer forged to create a flowing suminagashi (Damascus) pattern. The upper blade road transitions into a nashiji, or pear-skin, finish, giving the knife a distinctive look while maintaining durability and ease of care.
Despite its compact size, this petty is a capable and versatile tool around the kitchen. It excels at in-hand work such as trimming, peeling, garnishing, and other fine detail tasks, while its rigid blade and clean grind allow it to move effortlessly through herbs and small ingredients. Light, precise, and easy to control, this is a fun yet highly functional knife that quickly becomes a favorite for small prep. The Kato Nashiji Suminagashi Petty 120mm is an easy recommendation.
