Kato Yoshimi (Kanehiro Hamono) 加藤義実（金広刃物）

Marks on the blade

About

Successor to Hiroshi Kato at Kanehiro Hamono, Takefu Knife Village. 'Kato' knives sold abroad through Knifewear, Tosho etc. usually carry 義実 or 加藤 chiselled; the older ones read 廣 (Hiroshi).

Steels

• Aogami Super — Longest edge life of the Hitachi carbon steels. Kiryu Kogyo tempers it to HRC 64–65 inside stainless cladding.
• SG2 / R2 (powder stainless) — Powder-metallurgy stainless. Long edge life, chips if abused. Kataoka's TAMAHAGANE and Kiryu's SPG2 line.
• VG10 — Takefu Special Steel's stainless with cobalt. The default steel of Tojiro's DP/PRO lines; also in damascus lines.

Facts

Knife types made

• Gyuto (chef's knife) 牛刀 · Western-style chef's knife: meat, large vegetables, rocking cuts.
• Santoku 三徳 · All-round home knife: vegetables, fish, meat. The first knife to buy.
• Bunka 文化 · Santoku with a reverse-tanto tip: precision tip work plus vegetables.
• Petty ペティ · Small jobs in hand: peeling, trimming, garnish, fruit.
• Nakiri 菜切 · Vegetables only: straight up-and-down cuts, thin slices, cabbage, daikon.
• Sujihiki 筋引 · Long slicer for roasts, brisket, portioning fish without bones.

Care for these steels

Carbon steel (Shirogami / Aogami / SK)

• Rinse and wipe dry immediately after each use — never leave it wet or in the sink.
• Do not put in the dishwasher. Do not cut acidic foods and walk away (lemon, tomato, onion will stain within minutes).
• A grey-blue patina is normal and protective; orange rust is not. Remove orange rust with a rust eraser or #1000 stone slurry.
• Before storing for more than a day, wipe with camellia oil (椿油) or any food-safe oil.
• Store dry, in a saya or on a rack — not loose in a drawer.

Stainless (VG10 / AUS10 / molybdenum / CROMOVA / SG2)

• Wipe dry after use. Dishwasher still not recommended — the heat and detergent dull the edge and loosen handles.
• Powder steels (SG2) chip rather than roll: avoid bones, frozen food and twisting cuts.
• Sharpen on #1000; finish on #3000–5000 if you like a polished edge.

Where to buy

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