Kato Yuki Petty Shirogami #2 150mm (5.9″)

The striking collection by the brand Masakage and blacksmith Yoshimi Kato is called Yuki – snow. The subtle whiteness of the blade and the light magnolia handle are designed to remind one of a snowy winter landscape. With a carbon steel core and stainless outer layers, this line represents the perfect blend of beauty and performance.

Kato Yuki Petty 150mm (5.9″) blade is essentially a smaller version of a Gyuto knife (Chef’s knife). Petty knives are intended for all those smaller tasks where larger knives are deemed unwieldy, both on and off the cutting board. A must-have knife in every kitchen, it can be used for peeling, mincing, paring, and decorating food.

The finish of the blade is called Nashiji, the literal translation of the word being “the skin of an (Asian) pear”. It refers to the slightly matted surface of the upper part of the blade, which not only has aesthetic value but is also practical since the uneven surface reduces the sticking of the food to the blade when slicing.  

The knife’s core is Shirogami 2 (White 2) steel, surrounded by two layers of stainless steel that also hug the spine of the blade. The knife is hardened to 62-63 HRC. The combination of carbon steel core and stainless outer layers gives us the best of both worlds: easy maintenance and rust protection on one hand and sharpness, a silky smooth edge, and efficient cutting and chopping on the other. Using the blade will give it a patina on the lower edge of the blade along the shinogi line separating the layers of steel. Despite the rust-proof outer layers, the knife must be cleaned with regular and careful wiping, and occasional application of Ballistol or Camellia oil is recommended. The blade has a distal taper, starting at 2.2mm (0.09″) and narrowing to 1.5mm (0.06″) at the shinogi line.

Yoshimi Kato, a relatively young blacksmith from the famous Takefu village, known for many skilled blacksmiths, gave the blade a traditional Japanese handle, oval in shape, made of magnolia wood with a ring made of red pakka wood.

The knife is packed in a beautiful box – the natural blue colored paper has silver coloured kanji – signature of the master blacksmith. The box comes with a certificate stamped by the blacksmith and sharpener.