This Kiyoshi Kato kurouchi wa-gyuto is made with an aogami core and carbon cladding in a traditional construction. The blade has a kurouchi finish that gives it a natural forged appearance and helps reduce reactivity. The spine begins thick near the handle and tapers toward the tip, which provides solid feel during cutting. The geometry is consistent along the length of the blade without being overly thin. The knife is fitted with an octagonal magnolia handle and a buffalo horn ferrule.
Kiyoshi Kato, also known by his smith name Yoshiaki Fujiwara, was born in 1944. He is a licensed swordsmith and received his certification in 1999. His training began at age 20 under his grandfather, Kanekuni Kato, and his father, Sanehira Kato. After more than a decade of swordsmithing, he began producing outdoor and kitchen knives in 1977. He continues to make his knives in his workshop in Hokuto City in Yamanashi prefecture.
Details
Brand / maker: Kiyoshi Kato
Location: Hokuto, Yamanashi, Japan
Knife type: wa-gyuto
Series: kurouchi
Construction
Construction type: carbon clad
Steel category: carbon steel
Steel type: aogami
Blade and Handle Specs
Total length: 394mm
Blade length: 232mm
Blade height at heel: 50.7mm
Spine thickness:
at the handle: 4.8mm
at the heel: 4.3mm
midway: 2.2mm
1cm from the tip: 1.2mm
Weight: 226g
Edge/bevel: 50:50
Handle: octagonal magnolia
Ferrule: buffalo horn
Hand orientation: ambidextrous
Shipping & Returns
• Worldwide shipping from Tokyo via EMS/DHL • Ships within 24-48 hours • Online tracking included • 30-day returns on unused items Details
Care Guide
• Use whetstones for sharpening • Use wooden or rubber cutting boards • Keep clean and dry to prevent rust • Avoid cutting bones or frozen foods • Hand wash only - no dishwasher View Complete Care Guide
