Yuki means snow in Japanese - and the nashiji (pear skin) finish on this line earns that name beautifully. The fine sandblasted texture across the stainless cladding gives each blade a quiet, wintry character that sets it apart from both polished and kurouchi finishes. Yoshimi Kato forges the Yuki line at Takefu Village in Echizen, working a Shirogami #2 (White #2) carbon steel core into san mai construction with stainless cladding. Kato-san also created the Yoshimi Hino line exclusively for CKTG - named after the river that flows through Echizen - and brings the same exacting standards to every knife he produces.
Short wa-handled petty knives at 75mm are genuinely rare - most petty knives in the Japanese tradition start at 120mm, and very few makers produce a knife this compact with a wa handle suited for in-hand work. At 81mm blade length and 27mm height this is a knife designed for close, precise tasks: peeling, trimming, segmenting citrus, detail cuts where a longer blade would simply get in the way. White #2 takes a very fine edge and sharpens easily on quality water stones - the stainless cladding protects the flanks and makes day-to-day care forgiving, while the carbon core does the cutting work. The magnolia handle with oval profile and pakka wood ferrule is lightweight and natural in hand.
What Customers Are Saying: Three reviewers consistently praise the nashiji cladding as something to behold - one describes it as his personal favorite blade aesthetic and says he wants more of it after just two weeks of use. Out-of-box sharpness is called excellent, with one reviewer bringing the edge to hair-shaving condition on a balsa and leather strop alone. The blade-to-handle ratio is noted as unusual at this compact size but non-issues in actual use across multiple grips and tasks.
Care Instructions: White #2 is a reactive carbon steel. The stainless cladding protects the flanks but the carbon edge will patina naturally 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. Sharpen on quality water stones.
Each knife is made by hand so measurements may vary.
Short wa-handled petty knives at 75mm are genuinely rare - most petty knives in the Japanese tradition start at 120mm, and very few makers produce a knife this compact with a wa handle suited for in-hand work. At 81mm blade length and 27mm height this is a knife designed for close, precise tasks: peeling, trimming, segmenting citrus, detail cuts where a longer blade would simply get in the way. White #2 takes a very fine edge and sharpens easily on quality water stones - the stainless cladding protects the flanks and makes day-to-day care forgiving, while the carbon core does the cutting work. The magnolia handle with oval profile and pakka wood ferrule is lightweight and natural in hand.
What Customers Are Saying: Three reviewers consistently praise the nashiji cladding as something to behold - one describes it as his personal favorite blade aesthetic and says he wants more of it after just two weeks of use. Out-of-box sharpness is called excellent, with one reviewer bringing the edge to hair-shaving condition on a balsa and leather strop alone. The blade-to-handle ratio is noted as unusual at this compact size but non-issues in actual use across multiple grips and tasks.
Care Instructions: White #2 is a reactive carbon steel. The stainless cladding protects the flanks but the carbon edge will patina naturally 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. Sharpen on quality water stones.
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
- Handle Shape: Oval
- Ferrule: Pakka Wood
- Weight: 1.6 oz (46g)
- Blade Length: 81mm
- Total Length: 206mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 2mm
- Blade Height: 27mm
Reviews
3 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval)
Impressed, but not blown away.Posted By: Jordan
8 people found this review helpful
When I first received this knife, I must admit that I was a tiny bit worried. Visually, mostly, as the blade-to-handle ratio was wonky (standard Wa handle.) In use, though, it proved to be a non-issue. Out-of-box sharpness was respectable, and it has performed all the tasks expectedly, in all of the grips I've used it for. Food release leaves a little to be desired (but maybe I'm just spoiled with my Takeda.) Spine is a little thicker than I would like, but hasn't proven to be a big issue. Overall, impressed, but not blown away.
8 people found this review helpful
When I first received this knife, I must admit that I was a tiny bit worried. Visually, mostly, as the blade-to-handle ratio was wonky (standard Wa handle.) In use, though, it proved to be a non-issue. Out-of-box sharpness was respectable, and it has performed all the tasks expectedly, in all of the grips I've used it for. Food release leaves a little to be desired (but maybe I'm just spoiled with my Takeda.) Spine is a little thicker than I would like, but hasn't proven to be a big issue. Overall, impressed, but not blown away.
Love this Little PettyPosted By: Brian - verified customer
5 people found this review helpful
My first White Steel blade. Absolutely love it. My particular blade was 83 mm. The nashiji stainless cladding is something to behold. Such a gorgeous knife. I wish I had more of it, so I'll be picking up a gyuto in the Yuki line. It's that nice.The fit and finish is excellent. The blade aesthetics are my personal favorite. Red/Light colored handle is extremely appealing to me. The small amount of work I've done with it has been a pleasure. Edge OOTB was excellent. I did not order the sharpening service. I just balsa & leather stropped it and it shaves hair. Have only had it and used it about two weeks, but I want another.Thanks so much Mark & Sue.
5 people found this review helpful
My first White Steel blade. Absolutely love it. My particular blade was 83 mm. The nashiji stainless cladding is something to behold. Such a gorgeous knife. I wish I had more of it, so I'll be picking up a gyuto in the Yuki line. It's that nice.The fit and finish is excellent. The blade aesthetics are my personal favorite. Red/Light colored handle is extremely appealing to me. The small amount of work I've done with it has been a pleasure. Edge OOTB was excellent. I did not order the sharpening service. I just balsa & leather stropped it and it shaves hair. Have only had it and used it about two weeks, but I want another.Thanks so much Mark & Sue.
