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 rather than the Damascus finish found on the older Kato SG2 line. At 62-63 HRC this is one of the harder lines in the entire Kato catalog, delivering outstanding edge retention that rewards careful technique and quality stones. 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 160mm blade length and 52mm height, this nakiri has real authority on the cutting board - tall enough for excellent knuckle clearance through extended vegetable prep sessions, and flat enough in profile to keep full edge contact through the stroke. The nakiri format is dedicated to vegetable work: push cuts, draw cuts, and fine slicing all handled with the kind of precision a tall, squared-tip blade delivers. The shitan rosewood octagonal handle with red pakka wood ferrule is a warm, well-fitted combination comfortable across 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. Free shipping over $100.
At 160mm blade length and 52mm height, this nakiri has real authority on the cutting board - tall enough for excellent knuckle clearance through extended vegetable prep sessions, and flat enough in profile to keep full edge contact through the stroke. The nakiri format is dedicated to vegetable work: push cuts, draw cuts, and fine slicing all handled with the kind of precision a tall, squared-tip blade delivers. The shitan rosewood octagonal handle with red pakka wood ferrule is a warm, well-fitted combination comfortable across 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. 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: 5.6 oz (158 g)
- Blade Length: 160mm
- Total Length: 309mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 2mm
- Blade Height: 52mm
