The santoku is 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, making knives for Masakage and Kanehiro alongside his own lines.
At 171mm blade length and 45mm height, 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 shitan rosewood octagonal handle with 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. Free shipping over $100.
At 171mm blade length and 45mm height, 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 shitan rosewood octagonal handle with 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. Free shipping over $100.
- 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: Shitan Rosewood Octagonal
- Ferrule: Red Pakka Wood
- Weight: 4.3 oz (122 g)
- Blade Length: 171mm
- Total Length: 310mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 2mm
- Blade Height: 45mm
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.
