whose Kato ?

Keep seeing this mans name come up. I have a knife by a man named Kato but thats Masakage so different Kato id imagine... so whose this other Kato I keep seeing ?

 

Yoshiaki Fujiwara. One of the most unique, and well performing gyutos I've ever owned. http://www.japanesenaturalstones.com/yoshiaki-fujiwara-240mm-gyuto-1/

 

Kiyoshi Kato- oldtimeswordsmith. Is who I am guessing they are referring to. Check him out at Maxim's site.

ETA Beaten by that much...

 

Whoa they dont come cheap... great history, seems like an amazing knife, most likely out of the budget for the time being. But very cool to see the contrast between how thick they are and feedback on how they behave.

 

Worth every cent.

 

You get what you pay for

 

Kato is cutting carrots like they were boiled

 

Mine ump :thx

 

umpumpumpump Mine:

 

Trying to be as diplomatic and sensitive as I can here. There are at least three different vendors selling Kato. I get that JKS has their Katos made to custom specs. But is a Kato a Kato a Kato? Meaning regardless of any customization issues is the quality the same regardless of where it came from. I ask because I probably will only be able to end up with a previously owned one and in that case I might not know what vendor it came from to start with.

 

I can't speak for the quality of a Kato from other vendors, but knives that have been produced to Maksim's specifications have the kanji for "workhorse" on the left side of the blade:

 

As well 菊竜 for kikuryu, the damascus/kitaeji line.

 

You will, if you buy from a reputable source.

From what Ive heard, all the other sellershave old stock and this will not have same steel nor finish.

 

Ok. Thanks. I did not know the kanji were different. Very helpful.

I don't want to pit vendors against each other. I just saw with a google search there was an outfit in Canada selling Kato and thought maybe it would be better shipping rates coming from there.

Just briefly looking at JKS' website I think I want the dragon model..... someday. Maybe it will pop up in the BST here if I am patient.

 

Doesn't maxim have inexpensive or free shipping on most knives or am I thinking of someone else?

 

I really want to try out a Kato workhorse. Love the western handles with silver bolsters that Dan made. Maybe in the summertime when I get back to work.
Just FYI Maxim at JNS offers free shipping on orders over 1000DKK

 

Your long lost great uncle.

 

I've got a 150mm petty by the guy on the way. Honestly I'm a little skeptical about the hype, and it doesn't help that normally a laser type...but we'll see how it turns out.

Too bad I didn't have the funds in my Paypal when Maksim was holding his big sale.

 

Here's my Kato from JNS which arrived this past Monday. I've been using it quite a lot, has a very unique personality, feels like a very special knife—it's very eager to cut things. Love it, and use it as much as my Kochi gyuto.

I don't use the Kato everything though, for more finesse cutting [some fish, scallops, little things] I tend to use my Kono Fujiyama, which is more agile.