About Masakage Kiri - 

When you first pick up the Kiri, you’ll notice just how light it is. The steel is hammered thinner than your average knife, which lets it fly through dense foods like potatoes and squash with ease. This knife is hand-forged from VG10, a high-carbon stainless steel that gets wildly sharp and holds an excellent edge without requiring much maintenance. The VG10 core steel is laminated with stunning layers of damascus steel, which, combined with the red and white Japanese wa handle, make for a STUNNING knife. Truly, usable art!

Yoshimi Kato is the son-in-law and successor of Hiroshi Kato, one of the founders of Takefu Knife Village. The transition from apprentice to master blacksmith and company head has been seamless for Yoshimi-san. He tells me that he strives to continuously improve his skill day-by-day, and I look forward to working with the next generation of Kato for decades to come! 

Yoshimi-san is a quiet man, calmly pushing forward at a steady pace and speaking more through his knives than his words. And boy, do they speak! Yoshimi-san’s knives are among the most gorgeous, laser-like blades I’ve ever handled.

About the Shape - The Ko-Bunka is a smaller version of a Bunka. Any guesses on what “Ko” means in Japanese? You nailed it! It translates to “small.” This little knife is awesome because it still gives you knuckle clearance on the cutting board. Making sure you can mince garlic and comfortably chop veggies. A badass love child of the Bunka and Petty knife, it works for smaller jobs in the hand or as an all-purpose blade.