Minamo is the newest line from Yoshimi Kato, built around SG2 powdered stainless steel - also known as R2 - and finished with clean stainless cladding rather than the Damascus finish found on the older Kato SG2 range. The result is a blade that lets its geometry and edge quality do the work, without a patterned finish competing for attention. At 62-63 HRC this is one of the harder lines in the entire Kato catalog. Kato is the son-in-law of the renowned Hiroshi Kato and has run the family workshop at Takefu Knife Village in Echizen since Hiroshi retired in 2017, continuing to make knives for Masakage and Kanehiro alongside his own lines.
This 210mm gyuto at 217mm actual blade length and 49mm height is a well-proportioned knife that suits a wide range of cooks and cutting styles. The 50/50 double bevel grind is comfortable for both right- and left-handed users, and the SG2 steel delivers the kind of edge retention that makes this a knife worth using and protecting in equal measure - thin enough for genuine precision, hard enough to hold up through long prep sessions. The shitan rosewood octagonal handle with red pakka wood ferrule is a warm, refined fit that balances well at this length.
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.
This 210mm gyuto at 217mm actual blade length and 49mm height is a well-proportioned knife that suits a wide range of cooks and cutting styles. The 50/50 double bevel grind is comfortable for both right- and left-handed users, and the SG2 steel delivers the kind of edge retention that makes this a knife worth using and protecting in equal measure - thin enough for genuine precision, hard enough to hold up through long prep sessions. The shitan rosewood octagonal handle with red pakka wood ferrule is a warm, refined fit that balances well at this length.
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: 5.1 oz (146 g)
- Blade Length: 217mm
- Total Length: 355mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 2mm
- Blade Height: 49mm
