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Yoshimi Kato Kintaro  |  SKU: KT-MINAMO-KGY210AB_SP

Yoshimi Kato SG2 Minamo Ktip Gyuto 210mm Amboyna Burl Western SP

$656.98 $729.00
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Detailed Specifications
Line Yoshimi Kato SG2 Minamo
Profile Gyuto / Chefs Knife
Bevel Type Double Bevel
Weight 180 g        6.35 oz
Edge Length 210 mm   .8.27 inch
Heel Height 48 mm     .1.89 inch
Width @ Spine 1.9 mm     0.07 inch
Width @ Mid 1.9 mm     0.07 inch
Width @ 1cm from Tip 0.6 mm     0.02 inch
Steel SG2 / R2 | Powdered Stainless
Blade Construction Sanmai - Stainless Clad
Hardness (HRC) 62 - 64
Surface Finish Tsuchime
Handle Coke-bottle Shaped Western
Region Echizen
Best for
  • Pro chefs
  • Enthusiasts
    • Free shipping for knives over AU$200 Australia wide.
    • World-wide shipping via DHL Express, 3 to 5 days.


    The Minamo is the latest offering from master Yoshimi Kato from Kintaro Hamono of Takefu Knife Village. The Minamo line is forged with the SG2 powdered steel that is very fine, sharp and has great edge retention.

    The elegant hammered "Minamo" pattern is inspired by the summer Thunderstorm, and the way they lines up along the blade forms patterns looks like acient coins. As master Kato has been working with Master Kurosaki for a very long period of time, and their knives are highly similar in terms of desgin and performance: super thin behind the edge, with a great OOTB edge and excellent food penetration, on top of that, they often put very unique patterns that differentiate their knives from other lineups, just like how this Minamo line does.

    Like any other knives made by Yoshimi Kato, these blades are thin and nimble in handes, while retaining that excellent trait, the line bring some shiny appearance along with good performance. Considering the level of finish, artistic value and the SG2 core steel, I believe the pricing for this line is actually very good, thus I would bring it out for anyone who is after a SG2 knife.

    Pros Cons
  • Excellent performance
  • Great artistic
  • Thin behind the edge
  • Relatively hard to sharpen

  • Care Instruction
    1. Don't cut hard things! Japanese knives are brittle so bone hacking is a NO NO!
    2. Wash with neutral detergent after use, and wipe dry;
    3. Please don't wash knife with dishwasher, it will damage the wood handle;
    4. Be careful not to leave the knife close to a heat source for a long time;
    5. It is a lot more dangerous to cut with a blunt knife than a sharp knife!
    6. It is best to sharpen a Japanese knife regularly on a waterstone.

    Yoshimi Kato

    Kato Knife Manufacturing Inc., spearheaded by Yoshimi Kato, is a renowned entity in the Takefu Knife Village, known for its exquisite craftsmanship in knife-making. Yoshimi Kato, a skilled artisan, upholds the legacy of his father, Hiroshi Kato, continuing the tradition of producing high-quality Japanese knives. The company's focus on traditional techniques blended with modern innovations ensures their knives are both functional and beautiful, catering to the needs of culinary professionals and enthusiasts alike. For more detailed information, visit their official websites at Takefu Knife Village and Kato Knife Manufacturing.

    • Profile: Gyuto

      Chefs Knife

      A Japanese chef's knife is known as a gyuto (牛刀 ぎゅうとう) gyūtō?), literally meaning 'beef knife'. Its blade resembles a flatter version of a French chef's knife. Japanese cutlery is known for sharpness due to its acute blade geometry, and the hardness of the steel used, sometimes exceeding 60 HRC on the Rockwell Scale A typical western chef's knife may be sharpened to an edge angle of 20-22°, while a Japanese gyuto generally has a sharper edge angle of 15-18° (or even lower), which requires a harder, more brittle grade of steel. In recent years Japanese gyuto have gained in popularity with western chefs.

      A modern chef's knife is a multi-purpose knife designed to perform well at many differing kitchen tasks, rather than excelling at any one in particular. It can be used for mincing, slicing, and chopping vegetables, slicing meat, and disjointing large cuts.

      Slide for more >>

    • Steel: SG2 / R2

      SG2, also known as Super Gold 2 or R2 steel, is a high-end powdered tool steel by Takefu Special Steel, known for its excellent edge retention, wear resistance, and ability to achieve a hardness of up to 64 HRC. Identical to Kobelco Steel's R2, it's prized in premium knife making for its fine edge sharpness and durability. The powdered nature ensures uniform carbide distribution, enhancing toughness and reducing chipping risks. SG2/R2 is ideal for those seeking top performance and longevity in their cutting tools.

      Manufacturer:

      • Takefu Special Steel, Japan

      Nature: Stainless

      Hardness: 62- 64

      << Slide for more >>

    • Construction: Sanmai - Stainless Clad

      Sanmai(Three-Piece) is a common construction for double bevel knives where two pieces of softer cladding steel are forgewelded to each side of a harder core steel. The harder but more brittle core steel will form the hard cutting edge after heat treating, and the softer cladding will support the core to increase the overall strength of the blade.

      The soft cladding enables the thinning process to be a lot easier than a honyaki or monosteel construction. And in the case where the cladding steel are stainless in nature, it can offer protection for the carbon or semi-stainless cores against rusting and discoluoring.

      << Slide for more >>

    • Finish: Tsuchime

      The "Tsuchime" finish in Japanese kitchen knives refers to a distinctive hammered texture on the blade's surface. This traditional technique not only adds a unique aesthetic appeal but also provides practical benefits, such as reducing drag and preventing food from sticking to the blade during slicing. It's a hallmark of craftsmanship that blends functionality with artistry, making each knife not only a tool but a piece of art.

      << Slide for more >>

    • Handle Specs

      Profile: Coke-bottle shaped western

      Material:

      • Ambonya Burl Stabilized
      • Acrylic
      • G10

      Inspired by the legendary Bob Loveless's signature coke bottle shaped handle, this style of handle provides ergonomic benefits by offering a comfortable grip because of its tapered rear end.

      The wider midsection allows for a secure hold and better control while the tapered ends facilitate a natural hand position. This design is commonly found in Western-style kitchen knives, offering both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

      This handle is made by the same makers who produced the famous Shigeki Tanaka's SG2 ironwood western line.

      << Slide for more

    Yoshimi Kato Kintaro

    Yoshimi Kato SG2 Minamo Ktip Gyuto 210mm Amboyna Burl Western SP

    $656.98 $729.00

    The Minamo is the latest offering from master Yoshimi Kato from Kintaro Hamono of Takefu Knife Village. The Minamo line is forged with the SG2 powdered steel that is very fine, sharp and has great edge retention. The elegant hammered "Minamo" pattern is inspired by the summer Thunderstorm, Master Kato has been working with Master Kurosaki for a very long period of time, and their knives are highly similar in terms of desgin and performance: super thin behind the edge, with a great OOTB edge and excellent food penetration.

     

    Measurements 

    210 mm
    Weight 136 g
    Total Length 360 mm
    Tip to Heel Length 216 mm
    Blade Height at Heel 47 mm
    Width of Spine Above Heel 2.2 mm
    Width of Spine at Middle of Blade 2.1 mm
    Width of Spine at about 1 cm from tip 1.0 mm

     

    Steel type: SG2 Core with stainless clad

    Hardness (HRC): 62-63

    Handle Design: K&S Teak wood handle. Optional handles available. 

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