Kato Knives

Yoshimi Kato Knives are masterfully handcrafted masterpieces forged by Yoshimi Kato, a highly skilled blacksmith at the Takefu Knife Village in Echizen, Japan, a cooperative he joined after taking over his father-in-law Hiroshi Kato’s Kanehiro Hamono in 2017.
Born into a lineage of craftsmanship—Hiroshi-San being a founding member of the Village—Kato blends traditional techniques with modern flair, using premium steels like Aogami Super, SG2, and VG-10, often clad in striking black Damascus or nashiji finishes. Kato’s journey from a construction project manager to a certified traditional craftsman showcases his relentless drive, mentored by masters like Hiroshi and Yu Kurosaki. His workshop in Fukui Prefecture hums with the rhythm of hammer and forge, producing blades that honor Echizen’s storied 700-year knife-making tradition. Based in this historic hub, his work under brands like Masakage, his own name reflecting Takefu’s legacy of excellence.

High-performance kitchen cutlery delivers its best results only when properly maintained. Check out our knife sharpening services for home cooks and professionals alike or our strops and stones section for all of your at home sharpening tools.