SG2 powdered stainless steel meets the bunka format in this newest addition to the Yoshimi Kato catalog. Minamo is the cleanest, most refined visual expression of the line yet - stainless cladding in place of Damascus, letting the shape and grinds stand on their own rather than competing with a patterned finish. At 62-63 HRC, this is one of the harder knives Kato makes, and the SG2 steel handles that hardness well: the fine, uniform grain structure of powdered metallurgy produces an edge that is genuinely keen, long-lasting, and easier to sharpen than many steels at this hardness level. Kato is the son-in-law of the renowned Hiroshi Kato and runs the family workshop at Takefu Knife Village in Echizen.
The bunka profile is compact at 171mm long, but tall at 45mm, with the reverse tanto tip that gives the format its distinctive look and practical precision at the point. A fairly flat edge profile suits push-cutting and chopping, while the tall blade height provides real knuckle clearance that shorter-format knives lack. The rosewood octagonal handle with a red pakka wood ferrule is a handsome, well-fitted combination that complements the clean visual restraint of the blade above 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
The bunka profile is compact at 171mm long, but tall at 45mm, with the reverse tanto tip that gives the format its distinctive look and practical precision at the point. A fairly flat edge profile suits push-cutting and chopping, while the tall blade height provides real knuckle clearance that shorter-format knives lack. The rosewood octagonal handle with a red pakka wood ferrule is a handsome, well-fitted combination that complements the clean visual restraint of the blade above 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.
