Santoku means three virtues in Japanese - slicing, dicing, and mincing - and this Minamo version handles all three with the edge retention that SG2 powdered stainless steel at 62-63 HRC delivers. Minamo is the newest line from Yoshimi Kato, built with stainless cladding for a cleaner, more refined look than the Damascus finish on his earlier SG2 range. Kato is the son-in-law of the renowned Hiroshi Kato and runs the family workshop at Takefu Knife Village in Echizen.
This is a well-proportioned santoku that covers everyday kitchen tasks without feeling oversized. The even 50/50 grind suits left- and right-handed cooks equally, and the rosewood octagonal handle with a red pakka wood ferrule sits comfortably in a range of grip styles, fitting larger hands as well as smaller ones.
What Customers Are Saying: One owner who upgraded from a previous santoku calls this 100 percent perfect - absolutely beautiful in person, better looking than the photos, with handle fit and weight and balance all exactly right. He describes feeling like a surgeon when using it, and gives direct advice to anyone on the fence: just buy it.
Care Instructions: SG2 is a stainless steel but is hard and chip-prone at 62-63 HRC. Use wood or rubber cutting boards only. Avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard materials. Hand wash and dry after each use. Strop regularly between sharpenings to maintain the edge.Blacksmith: Yoshimi Kato
Brand Name: Yoshimi Minamo
Location: Echizen, Japan
Workshop: Takefu Knife Village
Construction: Hammer Forged, San Mai
Edge Steel: SG2 (AKA R2) Stainless
Cladding: Stainless
HRC: 62-63
Edge Grind: Even (50/50), Double Bevel
Engraving: Laser
Handle: Rosewood Octagonal
Ferrule: Red Pakka Wood
Weight: 4.3 oz (122 g)
Blade Length: 171 mm
Total Length: 310 mm
Spine Thickness at Heel: 2 mm
Blade Height: 45 mm
This is a well-proportioned santoku that covers everyday kitchen tasks without feeling oversized. The even 50/50 grind suits left- and right-handed cooks equally, and the rosewood octagonal handle with a red pakka wood ferrule sits comfortably in a range of grip styles, fitting larger hands as well as smaller ones.
What Customers Are Saying: One owner who upgraded from a previous santoku calls this 100 percent perfect - absolutely beautiful in person, better looking than the photos, with handle fit and weight and balance all exactly right. He describes feeling like a surgeon when using it, and gives direct advice to anyone on the fence: just buy it.
Care Instructions: SG2 is a stainless steel but is hard and chip-prone at 62-63 HRC. Use wood or rubber cutting boards only. Avoid bones, frozen foods, and hard materials. Hand wash and dry after each use. Strop regularly between sharpenings to maintain the edge.
Reviews
1 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) This knife, November 15, 2025Posted By: Lumber Baron
I received this a couple of days ago as an upgrade to my prior Santoku. For me this is 100% perfect. First off it is absolutely beautiful to look at, the photos do not do it justice. I have larger hands, the handle fits my hand perfectly. The weight and balance is just perfect, I feel like a surgeon when using this. If you are the fence about this? Just buy it.
I received this a couple of days ago as an upgrade to my prior Santoku. For me this is 100% perfect. First off it is absolutely beautiful to look at, the photos do not do it justice. I have larger hands, the handle fits my hand perfectly. The weight and balance is just perfect, I feel like a surgeon when using this. If you are the fence about this? Just buy it.
