The santoku is where many Japanese knife buyers start, and the Masakage Yuki is one of the better introductions to what a Japanese carbon steel knife can do. Yoshimi Kato hammer forges this at Takefu Village in Echizen from a White #2 core wrapped in nashiji stainless cladding, keeping maintenance simple while delivering a genuinely reactive carbon steel edge that takes and holds a razor-sharp edge with ease.
At 172mm blade length and 47mm tall this is a practical everyday size, with enough flat section for efficient push cutting and a gentle curve toward the tip for occasional rocking cuts. The stainless cladding means the blade faces are easy to care for and the nashiji finish aids food release, while the oval magnolia handle with red pakka wood ferrule is light and comfortable through long sessions.
What Customers Are Saying: One reviewer picked this up specifically for its shorter length in a smaller kitchen and found it razor sharp out of the box and easy to maintain with the stainless cladding. They note the White #2 edge still needs attention and drying after use but that the overall experience justified the purchase entirely.
Care Instructions: The White #2 core is reactive carbon steel and will develop a natural patina with use. The stainless cladding protects the blade faces, so daily care is straightforward: wipe and dry the blade after use, avoid leaving acidic foods against the edge, and hand wash only.
At 172mm blade length and 47mm tall this is a practical everyday size, with enough flat section for efficient push cutting and a gentle curve toward the tip for occasional rocking cuts. The stainless cladding means the blade faces are easy to care for and the nashiji finish aids food release, while the oval magnolia handle with red pakka wood ferrule is light and comfortable through long sessions.
What Customers Are Saying: One reviewer picked this up specifically for its shorter length in a smaller kitchen and found it razor sharp out of the box and easy to maintain with the stainless cladding. They note the White #2 edge still needs attention and drying after use but that the overall experience justified the purchase entirely.
Care Instructions: The White #2 core is reactive carbon steel and will develop a natural patina with use. The stainless cladding protects the blade faces, so daily care is straightforward: wipe and dry the blade after use, avoid leaving acidic foods against the edge, and hand wash only.
- Brand: Masakage
- Line: Yuki
- Blacksmith: Yoshimi Kato
- Workshop: Takefu Knife Village
- Location: Echizen, Japan
- Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
- Edge Steel: White #2 (Shirogami #2)
- Cladding: Nashiji Stainless
- HRC: 62-63
- Edge Grind: Even (See Choil Shot)
- Handle: Oval Magnolia
- Ferrule: Red Dyed Pakka Wood
- Weight: 4.3 oz (124 g)
- Blade Length: 172 mm
- Total Length: 312 mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 3 mm
- Blade Height: 47 mm
Reviews
1 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Great knife both functionally and aesthetically.
