Yoshimi Kato has spent years forging knives at Takefu Knife Village in Echizen, and this 210mm gyuto from his Kiri line is a strong showcase of that experience. As the son-in-law of fellow Takefu smith Hiroshi Kato, Yoshimi works under several names at the cooperative, including Kanehiro and Masakage, and the Kiri line in particular is known for its misty stainless Damascus cladding, named for the Japanese word kiri, meaning mist.
The core of this gyuto is VG-10, a steel purpose-built for cutlery and hardened here to 61 to 62 HRC. Because both the VG-10 core and the Damascus cladding are stainless, maintenance stays minimal. The blade is ground with a symmetrical 50/50 edge, finished with hand-engraved kanji, and paired with an oval magnolia wood handle and a striking red dyed pakka wood ferrule.
What Customers Are Saying: One reviewer called the knife more of an art piece than a tool, pointing to the subtle Damascus pattern and the bright red ferrule as standout details, while still using it as a daily driver thanks to a sharp out-of-the-box edge and light, well-balanced feel. The balance point sitting just behind the pinch grip was singled out as making detailed tip work and long cutting sessions easier on the hand.
Care Instructions: Because the VG-10 core and Damascus cladding are both stainless, this gyuto asks for relatively little upkeep. Hand wash and dry the blade after use, keep it out of the dishwasher, and avoid bones and frozen foods, taking extra care around the thinner area near the tip. Routine sharpening on quality water stones will keep the edge performing the way it did out of the box.Brand: Masakage
Blacksmith: Yoshimi Kato
Location: Echizen, Japan
Workshop: Takefu Knife Village
Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
Core Steel: VG-10
Cladding: 49-layer Stainless Damascus
HRC: 61-62
Edge Grind: 50/50
Handle: Magnolia Wood Oval
Ferrule: Red Dyed Pakka Wood
Engraving: Hand Engraved
Weight: 5.0 oz (142 g)
Blade Length: 218 mm
Total Length: 362 mm
Spine Thickness at Heel: 3 mm
Blade Height: 48 mm
The core of this gyuto is VG-10, a steel purpose-built for cutlery and hardened here to 61 to 62 HRC. Because both the VG-10 core and the Damascus cladding are stainless, maintenance stays minimal. The blade is ground with a symmetrical 50/50 edge, finished with hand-engraved kanji, and paired with an oval magnolia wood handle and a striking red dyed pakka wood ferrule.
What Customers Are Saying: One reviewer called the knife more of an art piece than a tool, pointing to the subtle Damascus pattern and the bright red ferrule as standout details, while still using it as a daily driver thanks to a sharp out-of-the-box edge and light, well-balanced feel. The balance point sitting just behind the pinch grip was singled out as making detailed tip work and long cutting sessions easier on the hand.
Care Instructions: Because the VG-10 core and Damascus cladding are both stainless, this gyuto asks for relatively little upkeep. Hand wash and dry the blade after use, keep it out of the dishwasher, and avoid bones and frozen foods, taking extra care around the thinner area near the tip. Routine sharpening on quality water stones will keep the edge performing the way it did out of the box.
Reviews
1 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Gorgeous high performerPosted By: Andrew Whitworth - verified customer
18 people found this review helpful
Let me say it up front: This knife is gorgeous. It's almost more of an art piece than a functional tool. The subtle damascus pattern and the striking red ferrule really make it stand out from most other knives. The reason why you'll use it every day and not just keep it on a shelf are because it is a joy to use. It's very sharp out of the box. The knife is light, and the balance point is right behind the pinch grip. Because it's so light and well-balanced, it's easy to do detailed cutting work with the tip, or to do lots of cutting without getting tired. This knife is an absolute pleasure to look at and to work with.
18 people found this review helpful
Let me say it up front: This knife is gorgeous. It's almost more of an art piece than a functional tool. The subtle damascus pattern and the striking red ferrule really make it stand out from most other knives. The reason why you'll use it every day and not just keep it on a shelf are because it is a joy to use. It's very sharp out of the box. The knife is light, and the balance point is right behind the pinch grip. Because it's so light and well-balanced, it's easy to do detailed cutting work with the tip, or to do lots of cutting without getting tired. This knife is an absolute pleasure to look at and to work with.
