Yoshimi Kato Aogami Super Petty 150mm

Yoshimi Kato, the master from Echizen, family member of the core founder of Takefu Village. The 3rd generation Kato. 三代目 Head of Kato Uchihamono。

He is a distinguished blacksmith from Echizen in Fukui Prefecture, representing the third generation of the Kato family.

Like many of us who leave our primary job and step out of our comfort zone, for Yoshimi Kato, he transitioned to blacksmithing by leaving his job as a project manager at a construction company after marrying Hiroshi Kato's daughter. He honed his skills under his father-in-law, the second-generation blacksmith Hiroshi Kato which is the founding member of Takefu Village. Mr. Kato specializes in heat-treating high-end steels such Aogami Super and also SG2.

With great mentorship from his father in law Hiroshi San and Yu Kurosaki, Kato-san has out performed many after just five years of working!

This petty knife is meticulously handcrafted by master Yoshimi Kato using Aogami Super steel, heat-treated to an impressive hardness of 64 HRC. The blade showcases a Nashiji Kurouchi finish that extends to the grind, adorned with a striking Damascus pattern, giving it a unique and elegant appearance. Master Kato’s exceptional grinding technique results in an incredibly thin edge behind the blade, enhancing its cutting performance. The exquisitely crafted blade is complemented by a full ebony handle, perfectly matching the black blade for a visually stunning and balanced design. This combination of superior materials and expert craftsmanship makes it a prized addition to any kitchen.

• Made from : Echizen, Fukui Prefecture, Japan
• Brand: Yoshimi Kato
  
• Knife Type: Bunka
• Blade
  • Construction: San Mai
  • Grind: Double-edged Blade (50/50 Grind)
  • Hagane (Core Steel): Aogami Super (Blue Super)
  • Jigane (Cladding): Iron
  • Hardness: 64 HRC
  • Hand-forged, hand-ground, hand-sharpened
• Blade Finishes: Nashiji Kurouchi (Unpolish)
• Blade Length: 150mm 
• Blade Height (at heel): 27mm
• Spine Thickness
  • Above heel: 3mm
  • Middle: 2.0mm
• Handle : Full Ebony (Octagonal)
• Overall Length: 273mm
• Weight: 85g 
• Engraved Mark (Front): In Japanese Kanji "Yoshimi Echizen" (義実 越前)

**Care Instructions:**

Aogami Super (Blue Super) steel is renowned as the premier Japanese high carbon steel for knife making. Because it is not stainless, it is crucial to dry your knife thoroughly after each use, especially the core steel exposed beyond the stainless cladding. Over time, a patina will develop, which may appear as “discoloration” on the edge; this is a natural characteristic of carbon steel and not a defect. It's important to differentiate between patina and rust: patina develops from within the steel and usually doesn't affect the surface texture, whereas rust has a copper/brownish color, forms on the surface, and can create a rough texture when severe. The iron cladding can also develop patina and rust, so it's best to oil the entire blade before storing it. Avoid using the knife on bones and frozen foods