Masakage Yuki knives are made by the great Yoshimi Kato. This well-respected blade master is one of the founders of the Takefu Knife Village cooperative.
Kato-san fashions the Yuki line out of the popular and well-loved White, or Shirogami, #2 steel. In this case, it is hardened to 62-63 HRC. This a wonderful alloy for kitchen knives, exhibiting the ability to take a super sharp cutting edge. Of course, this high carbon steel is also extremely reactive. To aid in maintenance and increase strength and lightness, the inner core is then covered with a layer of softer stainless steel. This outer layer is then given a very attractive nashiji (pear skin) finish.
The
santoku is rapidly becoming a favorite knife style in many western kitchens. It has the all-around cutting and slicing abilities of a
gyuto with the extra height and shorter blade of a
nakiri. It is a dexterous knife that finds itself used in many situations. Santoku translates to three virtues and the acts of slicing, chopping, and dicing are tackled with aplomb by this classic design.
Brand: Masakage
Blacksmith: Kato San
Location: Takefu Village, Echizen, Japan
Construction: San Mai, Hammer Forged
Cladding: Nashiji Stainless
Edge Steel: White #2
Edge Grind: Even (See Choil Shot)
Handle: Oval Magnolia
Ferrule: Red Dyed Pakka Wood
Weight: 4.3 oz (124 g)
Edge Length: 172 mm
Total Length: 312 mm
Spine Thickness at Base: 3.2 mm
Blade Height: 46.6 mm