Masakage Kiri VG-10 Honesuki 150mm

Kiri means fog or mist in Japanese, and the name describes the stainless Damascus cladding on this honesuki - a pattern that genuinely evokes a misty surface across the blade road. Kato builds the line around VG-10 stainless steel hardened to 61-62 HRC, with a well-executed grind that gets notably thin just behind the edge for improved cutting performance. The 50/50 symmetrical edge means it works equally well for left- and right-handed cooks.

The honesuki format is built to part out poultry, working nimbly through joints to separate sections cleanly - though it is not designed to cut through bone. The thin, pointed tip excels at navigating joints and working around carcasses, leaving a cleanly prepped bird with minimal over-cutting. Because both the core and cladding are stainless, care is straightforward compared to carbon-core honesuki knives. The handle is magnolia wood with a striking red pakka wood ferrule that complements the misty Damascus pattern.

What Customers Are Saying: Kevin calls it a stunning and very functional knife. He sealed the handle with tung oil and found the factory edge sharp, though not quite at the level he has experienced with Kohetsu.

Care Instructions: Since both the core and cladding are stainless, this knife is easy to maintain day to day. Hand wash and dry it after use, skip the dishwasher, and keep it away from bones and frozen foods. Quality water stones are the right tool for sharpening when the edge needs a refresh.

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: Oval Magnolia Wood

Ferrule: Red Dyed Pakka Wood

Engraving: Hand Engraved

Weight: 3.8 oz (108 g)

Blade Length: 152 mm

Total Length: 297 mm

Spine Thickness at Base: 3 mm

Blade Height: 40 mm