The 270mm gyuto is a professional statement - a blade length chosen by cooks who need reach, speed, and the ability to dispatch large volumes of product efficiently. Yoshimi Kato builds the Yuki line around Shirogami #2 (White #2) carbon steel at Takefu Village in Echizen, and the 270mm gyuto is where that steel shows its most complete character. The nashiji (pear skin) finish across the stainless cladding gives the blade a quiet, wintry aesthetic - yuki means snow in Japanese - and the extraordinarily thin grind behind the edge means it cuts with a precision that thicker blades at this length cannot replicate. Kato-san created the Yoshimi Hino line exclusively for CKTG, named after the Hino river that flows through Echizen - a relationship built over years of collaboration.
At 274mm blade length and 56mm height this knife has real presence on the board. The tall blade gives excellent knuckle clearance through extended prep work, and the thin grind means even dense ingredients yield cleanly without the wedging that plagues heavier 270mm knives. White #2 is one of the purest carbon steels in the Japanese tradition - highly responsive on quality water stones, capable of a very fine edge, and reactive enough to develop a patina quickly with use. The stainless cladding makes the flanks low maintenance. Magnolia handle with pakka wood ferrule - traditional and well-proportioned for the blade length. One reviewer specifically notes the coin included with the knife, a traditional Japanese gesture of goodwill from the maker.
What Customers Are Saying: The one reviewer calls the knife a beauty with excellent out-of-box sharpness, noting the White #2 core developed a starting patina after just a single prep session involving onion, peppers, and garlic - a sign of high steel purity. He describes it as genuinely thin behind the edge, notes excellent blade height and clearance, and praises the overall performance highly. The one criticism is the magnolia handle arriving less finished than expected - worth noting for buyers who prefer a smooth handle out of the box.
Care Instructions: White #2 is a reactive carbon steel. The stainless cladding protects the flanks but the carbon edge will patina naturally and quickly with use. Wipe and dry immediately after every use. Avoid leaving acidic foods on the blade. Hand wash only, never dishwasher. Apply camellia oil for long-term storage. If the magnolia handle feels rough, a light sanding with 320-400 grit followed by a food-safe oil finish will improve the feel significantly.
Each knife is made by hand so measurements may vary.
At 274mm blade length and 56mm height this knife has real presence on the board. The tall blade gives excellent knuckle clearance through extended prep work, and the thin grind means even dense ingredients yield cleanly without the wedging that plagues heavier 270mm knives. White #2 is one of the purest carbon steels in the Japanese tradition - highly responsive on quality water stones, capable of a very fine edge, and reactive enough to develop a patina quickly with use. The stainless cladding makes the flanks low maintenance. Magnolia handle with pakka wood ferrule - traditional and well-proportioned for the blade length. One reviewer specifically notes the coin included with the knife, a traditional Japanese gesture of goodwill from the maker.
What Customers Are Saying: The one reviewer calls the knife a beauty with excellent out-of-box sharpness, noting the White #2 core developed a starting patina after just a single prep session involving onion, peppers, and garlic - a sign of high steel purity. He describes it as genuinely thin behind the edge, notes excellent blade height and clearance, and praises the overall performance highly. The one criticism is the magnolia handle arriving less finished than expected - worth noting for buyers who prefer a smooth handle out of the box.
Care Instructions: White #2 is a reactive carbon steel. The stainless cladding protects the flanks but the carbon edge will patina naturally and quickly with use. Wipe and dry immediately after every use. Avoid leaving acidic foods on the blade. Hand wash only, never dishwasher. Apply camellia oil for long-term storage. If the magnolia handle feels rough, a light sanding with 320-400 grit followed by a food-safe oil finish will improve the feel significantly.
Each knife is made by hand so measurements may vary.
- Blacksmith: Yoshimi Kato
- Brand: Masakage
- Line: Yuki
- Location: Takefu Village, Echizen, Japan
- Construction: San Mai
- Edge Steel: White #2 (Shirogami #2) Carbon Steel
- Cladding: Stainless
- Finish: Nashiji (Pear Skin)
- Handle: Magnolia
- Ferrule: Pakka Wood
- Weight: 7.4 oz (210g)
- Blade Length: 274mm
- Total Length: 428mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 3.5mm
- Blade Height: 56mm
Reviews
1 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Product ReviewPosted By: Derek Thompson - verified customer
17 people found this review helpful
This knife deserves 5 stars, it's a beauty and the OOTB is good. The only reason I am giving it 4 stars is that I didn't feel the handle had a very good finish. Fit was fun and the pakka wood is great. The magnolia on the other hand could use to be sanded at the very least, it has a bit of a rough feel. I plan to use some high grit to smooth it a bit however I probably will not seal it because it doesn't feel as if they had and it will feel great once finish sanded.The white 2 already has a great starting patina after just one use which I prepped an onion, 2 bell peppers and some garlic. So it is fairly reactive, as to be expected, so make sure you don't leave water on it. The knife is fantastic and it works every bit as good as Shaun show's it performing OOTB. I have yet to sharpen it or put it through a large amount of use so I can't comment on that. Based on the steel and the HRC I know it will hold an edge for a good amount of time as well as be able to get wicked sharp.The blade depth is great, tons of clearance. It's real thin behind the edge, slightly thicker than my AS Laser. I love the tradition of including the coin attached as to show no ill will, down the road I will purchase another knife from another of Masakage's lines for a different steel type.Had the Magnolia portion of the handle came better finished I would have given it 5 stars, the 4 stars has nothing to do with the performance of this beautiful knife.
17 people found this review helpful
This knife deserves 5 stars, it's a beauty and the OOTB is good. The only reason I am giving it 4 stars is that I didn't feel the handle had a very good finish. Fit was fun and the pakka wood is great. The magnolia on the other hand could use to be sanded at the very least, it has a bit of a rough feel. I plan to use some high grit to smooth it a bit however I probably will not seal it because it doesn't feel as if they had and it will feel great once finish sanded.The white 2 already has a great starting patina after just one use which I prepped an onion, 2 bell peppers and some garlic. So it is fairly reactive, as to be expected, so make sure you don't leave water on it. The knife is fantastic and it works every bit as good as Shaun show's it performing OOTB. I have yet to sharpen it or put it through a large amount of use so I can't comment on that. Based on the steel and the HRC I know it will hold an edge for a good amount of time as well as be able to get wicked sharp.The blade depth is great, tons of clearance. It's real thin behind the edge, slightly thicker than my AS Laser. I love the tradition of including the coin attached as to show no ill will, down the road I will purchase another knife from another of Masakage's lines for a different steel type.Had the Magnolia portion of the handle came better finished I would have given it 5 stars, the 4 stars has nothing to do with the performance of this beautiful knife.
