Yoshimi Kato VG-10 Suminagashi Gyuto 180mm

Yoshimi Kato has taken the reins of the business that his father-in-law, Hiroshi started and is making some of the best blades coming out of Echizen today.

At 180mm, the Kato VG10 Suminagashi Gyuto knife is as small as gyutos get. It is a good choice for lovers of shorter blades or those with restricted board space. It is also a great choice for prepping garnishes and other smaller items. This knife will appeal to rock and push cutters alike. Its 50/50 grind will also be useful to both left- and right-handed users. It has a nice thin spine that tapers towards the tip and exhibits a fairly thin grind behind the edge.

The blade is constructed with a core steel of VG-10 stainless steel which is prized for its excellent edge taking and holding characteristics. VG-10 is stainless steel with a high carbon content of 1%. Trace elements include 15% chromium, 1% molybdenum, 0.2% vanadium, 1.5% cobalt, and 0.5% manganese. The steel was first created by the Takefu Special Steel Company and is the most popular stainless steel used by the big Japanese knife manufacturers. The inner core, or hagane, is covered with multiple layers of nickel damascus steel, which is then etched to reveal the stunning pattern.

Its good looks and balanced feel are further enhanced by a well-made oval rosewood handle with black pakka wood ferrule. This really is a beautifully constructed knife at a great price.

Maker: Yoshimi Kato

Region: Echizen, Japan

Steel: VG-10 Stainless Steel

HRC: 61-62

Cladding: Stainless Damascus

Handle: Rosewood Oval

Ferrule: Black Pakka Wood

Edge Grind: 50/50

Weight: 3.8 ounces

Blade Length: 182 mm

Total Length: 330 mm

Spine Thickness at Base: 1.6 mm

Blade Height: 43.2 mm