Masakage Kiri 15cm 49-layer damascus handmade japanese utility knife

A Japanese knife made by a renowned Japanese blacksmith

Masakage Kiri Japanese knives are handcrafted by master blacksmith Yoshimi Kato. His workshop is located in the heart of the Takefu KnifeVillage.

This place is renowned for bringing together blacksmiths practicing traditional methods. Together, they share their expertise, and it's a popular spot for apprentice blacksmiths. Under the tutelage of a master, these apprentices learn all the steps involved in making knives, so that the heritage of the blacksmiths of yesteryear lives on.

Yoshimi Kato was trained by several renowned blacksmiths, including his father-in-law Hiroshi Kato, a highly respected master blacksmith in Japan. Hiroshi Kato forged knives almost daily for almost 50 years, achieving a remarkable level of expertise. Now retired, he passes on his skills to young blacksmiths and is one of the founding members of the aforementioned Takefu Cutlery Village.

Yoshimi Kato took over his father-in-law's workshop, carrying on the tradition by making the knives of this renowned master while developing his own knife ranges. Having begun his apprenticeship in 2013, Yoshimi Kato is a highly talented blacksmith who learns quickly. He continues Hiroshi Kato's work, while adding innovations that cooks love!

The high-quality Japanese utility knife

This Masakage Kiri all-purpose knife is ideal for precision cutting of medium-sized fruit and vegetables. Extremely handy, it can also chop small pieces of boneless meat, and you'll quickly discover its many versatile uses.

Its forged blade features a core of VG10 Japanese steel, an alloy much appreciated by blacksmiths for its many advantages. With a 1% carbon content, this steel achieves a Rockwell hardness of around 60/61 HRC, resulting in a rigid wire capable of withstanding thorough sharpening, thus delivering a razor-sharp edge.

This steel retains its sharpness for a long time, enabling you to space out your sharpening sessions. What's more, thanks to its high chromium content, it is more resistant to corrosion than other carbon-rich steels.

The VG10 core is then enveloped by several superimposed layers of softer steels, forming the so-called damascus. The Masakage Kiri knife features a subtle 49-layer damascus (24 layers folded in 2 on the core, the latter being included in the calculation). As well as adding character to the knife, damascus makes the blade "softer", making it less brittle in use, but not flexible.

The term "Kiri" means "fog" in Japanese, and it's easy to see why this range is so named. The beautiful damask creates random patterns, reminiscent of a light fog that reveals and conceals landscape details. For an extra touch of authenticity, Japanese kanji have been engraved on the cutting surface. These inscriptions blend harmoniously with the damask patterns and remain discreet.

The handle of this Japanese kitchen knife is made of magnolia, a fine-grained wood that is pleasant to the touch and very light. Its oval shape makes it comfortable for all cooks. A bolster in red Pakkawood, an anti-bacterial, moisture-resistant composite material, links the blade to the handle and provides an attractive visual contrast.

To ensure a watertight seal between blade and bolster, wood paste is used, preventing small food residues and water from penetrating the handle during cleaning.

The knife is presented in a sober, traditional blue box.

To care for your handcrafted Japanese knife, wash only by hand with a non-abrasive sponge, avoiding getting the handle wet. Once cleaned, dry immediately and store in a dry place. Do not use the dishwasher, and do not leave your Japanese knife to soak in the sink.

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