Yoshimi Kato is the son-in-law of the esteemed Hiroshi Kato and runs the family workshop at Takefu Knife Village in Echizen, making knives for several respected brands including Masakage and Kanehiro alongside this line bearing his own name. Following in the footsteps of a legendary father-in-law is never easy, but blacksmiths have built on that foundation for generations, and Yoshimi Kato has done more than carry the name forward - he has made it his own.
The blade on this gyuto is built around SG2, a high-tech powdered metallurgical stainless steel used in surgical instruments, precision cutting tools, and high-end kitchen knives. SG2 is prized for exceptional edge retention and easy sharpening relative to its hardness, with the fine, uniform grain structure that powdered metallurgy produces. The SG2 core is clad in a soft multi-layer stainless steel in a striking Damascus construction, and the cladding carries a new near mirror polish finish that gives this knife a dramatically different look from the previous version - the layers catch light beautifully and the overall presentation is genuinely stunning. Compact in hand at 214mm blade length and 46mm height, the 210mm gyuto suits smaller hands and restricted work areas while remaining fully capable across almost every kitchen task. The rosewood octagonal handle with pakka wood ferrule is both visually refined and comfortable for extended use.
What Customers Are Saying: One professional cook calls this an amazing knife - praising the beautiful edge curve, the very light weight, the thin grind, and the extremely high quality of the handle. He does note that the SG2 steel and thin grind make it a knife worth protecting in a saya rather than leaving loose in a drawer, especially in a high-volume line environment. A second buyer purchased it as a gift and describes it as a stunning piece of art.
Care Instructions: SG2 is a stainless steel but is hard and chip-prone at 61-62 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.
The blade on this gyuto is built around SG2, a high-tech powdered metallurgical stainless steel used in surgical instruments, precision cutting tools, and high-end kitchen knives. SG2 is prized for exceptional edge retention and easy sharpening relative to its hardness, with the fine, uniform grain structure that powdered metallurgy produces. The SG2 core is clad in a soft multi-layer stainless steel in a striking Damascus construction, and the cladding carries a new near mirror polish finish that gives this knife a dramatically different look from the previous version - the layers catch light beautifully and the overall presentation is genuinely stunning. Compact in hand at 214mm blade length and 46mm height, the 210mm gyuto suits smaller hands and restricted work areas while remaining fully capable across almost every kitchen task. The rosewood octagonal handle with pakka wood ferrule is both visually refined and comfortable for extended use.
What Customers Are Saying: One professional cook calls this an amazing knife - praising the beautiful edge curve, the very light weight, the thin grind, and the extremely high quality of the handle. He does note that the SG2 steel and thin grind make it a knife worth protecting in a saya rather than leaving loose in a drawer, especially in a high-volume line environment. A second buyer purchased it as a gift and describes it as a stunning piece of art.
Care Instructions: SG2 is a stainless steel but is hard and chip-prone at 61-62 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.
- Brand: Yoshimi SG-2
- Blacksmith: Yoshimi Kato
- Location: Echizen, Japan
- Workshop: Takefu Knife Village
- Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
- Core Edge Steel: SG-2 Powdered Stainless
- Cladding: Damascus Stainless
- Finish: Near Mirror Polish
- HRC: 61-62
- Engraving: Hand Engraved
- Edge Grind: Even
- Handle: Rosewood Octagonal
- Ferrule: Pakka Wood
- Weight: 5.0 oz (144 g)
- Blade Length: 214mm
- Total Length: 350mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 2mm
- Blade Height: 46mm
Reviews
2 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Stunning knife.Posted By: Ryan - verified customer
42 people found this review helpful
Amazing knife. Great curve to the edge. Very light. Handle is extremely high quality wood. Thin is very thin, which I love to precise knife skills. If you are a professional cook or chef, probably do not buy this as a line workhorse, or do but keep it in a Saya at all times.
42 people found this review helpful
Amazing knife. Great curve to the edge. Very light. Handle is extremely high quality wood. Thin is very thin, which I love to precise knife skills. If you are a professional cook or chef, probably do not buy this as a line workhorse, or do but keep it in a Saya at all times.
