Minamo is the newest line from Yoshimi Kato, built around SG2 powdered stainless steel - also known as R2 - and finished with a clean stainless cladding in place of the Damascus finish found on the older Kato SG2 line. The result is a slightly harder blade at 62-63 HRC with a more refined, understated look that lets the steel and grinds do the talking. Kato is the son-in-law of the renowned Hiroshi Kato and runs the family workshop at Takefu Knife Village in Echizen.
With a blade length of just under 150mm, this petty handles the full range of detail and in-hand work a kitchen demands: trimming, peeling, segmenting citrus, mincing herbs, and the kind of small-scale precision cutting where a larger knife gets in the way. SG2 takes an exceptional edge and holds it longer than most stainless steels can manage, while remaining genuinely easy to sharpen on quality water stones when it finally needs attention. The rosewood octagonal handle with a red pakka wood ferrule is a warm, well-fitted combination that sits comfortably in a range of grip styles.
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: 2.5 oz (72 g)
Blade Length: 149 mm
Total Length: 279 mm
Spine Thickness at Heel: 2 mm
Blade Height: 29 mm
With a blade length of just under 150mm, this petty handles the full range of detail and in-hand work a kitchen demands: trimming, peeling, segmenting citrus, mincing herbs, and the kind of small-scale precision cutting where a larger knife gets in the way. SG2 takes an exceptional edge and holds it longer than most stainless steels can manage, while remaining genuinely easy to sharpen on quality water stones when it finally needs attention. The rosewood octagonal handle with a red pakka wood ferrule is a warm, well-fitted combination that sits comfortably in a range of grip styles.
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.
