Yoshimi Kato VG10 Damascus Kiritsuke 210mm (Blade Only)
The Workshop (Knife Builder)
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SPECIFICATIONS
Knife Style: Kiritsuke (Gyuto)
Steel Type: Stainless Steel
Blade Material: VG10
Blade Finish: Black Damascus
Blade Hardness: 61HRC (+/-1)
Bevel: Double
Handle: None ➛ Choose yours
Blade Length: 210mm
Heel Height: 47mm
Spine Thickness: 2.00mm
Weight: 103g
Forged by the highly respected Master Yoshimi Kato in the legendary Takefu Knife Village, this blade reflects the precision, craftsmanship, and refined forging techniques that have made him one of Echizen's most sought-after modern blacksmiths. Having taken over the family forge from the renowned Hiroshi Kato, Yoshimi Kato has earned an international reputation for exceptional heat treatment, outstanding geometry, and some of the finest grinds available today. His knives seamlessly combine breathtaking aesthetics with the cutting performance demanded by professional chefs and serious enthusiasts alike.
This 210mm Kiritsuke Gyuto is offered as a bare blade exclusively at our request, creating the perfect foundation for a truly personalized custom knife. Designed to be paired with the handle of your choice, it allows you to combine one of Japan's most respected forges with a configuration that reflects your own style. At its heart lies a premium VG10 stainless steel core, hardened to approximately 61 HRC for an outstanding balance of edge retention, corrosion resistance, durability, and easy maintenance. While retaining the versatility of a classic chef's knife, the Kiritsuke Gyuto distinguishes itself with its long, aggressive K-tip profile. This angular tip offers exceptional precision for intricate work, fine vegetable preparation, horizontal cuts, and detailed slicing, while the generous blade length provides the power needed for larger ingredients and high-volume prep. Ground as a true double-bevel blade, it delivers an intuitive cutting experience suitable for both left- and right-handed users.
What truly distinguishes this version is its striking Black Damascus San-Mai construction. Multiple layers of stainless steel create a dramatic flowing Damascus pattern that contrasts beautifully against the deep black kuroshiage finish, giving the blade remarkable depth and character. Unlike brighter polished Damascus finishes, the dark finish emphasizes the layered steel with a bold, understated elegance that shifts beautifully under changing light. Beyond its visual appeal, the Damascus cladding also helps reduce food adhesion while protecting the VG10 core, resulting in a blade that performs as beautifully as it looks.
Ground exceptionally thin behind the edge and finished with Yoshimi Kato's signature attention to detail, this Kiritsuke Gyuto delivers effortless cutting performance with outstanding control from heel to tip. The aggressive K-tip provides surgical precision without sacrificing the versatility expected from an everyday chef's knife, making it equally at home in professional kitchens and among passionate home cooks. Combined with the low-maintenance characteristics of VG10 stainless steel, it offers an exceptional balance of beauty, performance, and practicality.
Kakushin can handle the blade-to-handle assembly for you at our shop. If you're new to the custom knife world and want to confirm the fit and sizing of a handle with a specific blade, feel free to reach out!
