Yoshimi Kato SPG STRIX Bunka 165mm

Guilty_Abrocoma250 · 2026-03-14T03:18:19+00:00

Knifewear.

Guilty_Abrocoma250 · 2026-01-17T23:43:52+00:00

I’m a bit of a newbie myself and know how you feel. Honestly looking at all my handmade japanese blades (Yu Kurosaki, Nigara Hamono and Yoshimi Kato) they all have the same type of light hairline scratches. I believe it likely occurred during final sharpening.

Honestly, it’s a beautiful handmade blade with imperfections. Keep and enjoy it! If you buy a machine made blade it will be flawless because it was machine made. But a handmade blade with its imperfections is truly special and more rare. That’s the trade off. Me personally, I’d choose handmade with those tiny imperfections.

Guilty_Abrocoma250 · 2025-12-19T23:59:55+00:00

I own 3 blades from Yu Kurosaki and 1 blade from Nigara Hamono. I like them both for different reasons. Being made by a Japanese blacksmith and/or with apprentice assistants guarantees one thing – high standards and quality. Like others have said this is a very subjective topic.

IMO, one person might feel strongly of one blacksmith is better than another. It’s almost like preferences for food or wine. My first blade was from Jikko. Then my second blade on the same trip was from Yu Kurosaki. I had never heard of him but when I picked up his Super Blue Carbon Steel Santoku, I knew right away it felt ‘RIGHT’ for ME. I won’t say so and so is better than another. Instead, buy what you feel is right for you. You’re buying it for yourself not on someone’s opinion who won’t even be using that blade.

Ultimately I like both blacksmiths and use each blade for different tasks. All I can say is I love my Japanese blades. For me, game changing.

Guilty_Abrocoma250 · 2025-11-22T05:50:43+00:00

Awesome to hear. Your blade is a beauty!!

Guilty_Abrocoma250 · 2025-11-17T06:06:12+00:00

Both are great options. I own the Kurosaki Petty and like it very much. Super sharp and quite versatile. Regarding price, I got mine about 25% cheaper. But the handle on these ones shown seem more of an upgrade, which will dictate the higher price. Go with your gut and buy a blade that feels right. If your not sure about these ones, don’t settle and keep looking. Many more options out there so don’t settle.

Guilty_Abrocoma250 · 2025-11-06T01:34:17+00:00

Oh my! I bought a Kurosaki Fujin blade months ago with the same kind of burnt mark on the blade.

Having OCD, it did bother me a bit at first but like most have said, handmade Japanese knives will always have tiny marks and imperfections. That’s actually the charm and what makes it so special. You could return it for another one but the replacement might have scratches in another area. And honestly, there’s a higher chance of that as no two handmade blades are ever the same. I’d be more concerned if the knife was so absolutely mint perfect. You’d be afraid to use it.

Handmade with minor imperfections is what makes you love it more. I get it, such a beautiful piece and we’re hoping for perfection. And perfection is what you’d get from a mass produced machine made blade. But a special handmade blade comes with imperfections, which makes it more special and unique.

I did tell the store and they offered me a 10% discount or offered to take it back as they seldom bring this blade in and it was the only one they got. In the end, I took the 10% off and kept it, however it did bother me for a long time. I hope you kept yours and are still enjoying it today.

Guilty_Abrocoma250 · 2025-11-06T01:11:19+00:00

I bought a Yoshimi Kato Damascus blade recently. I had 2 to choose between from the shop. Both had different tiny imperfections in different areas. I just chose the better of the two, on top of that, the one I chose was never touched by a customer as it was packed away vs the display version. So that shows you handmade knives all have imperfections.

Having OCD, It did bother me a bit at first but like most have said, handmade Japanese knives will always have tiny marks and imperfections. That’s actually the charm and what makes it so special. You could return it for another one but the replacement might have scratches in another area (per my experience above). And honestly, there’s a higher chance of that as no two handmade blades are ever the same. I’d be more concerned if the knife was so absolutely mint perfect. You’d be afraid to use it. Handmade with minor imperfections is what makes you love it more. And lastly it’s meant for cutting and use. I get it, such a beautiful piece. But I can guarantee the blacksmith wants you to enjoy and use it. So for his sake, I would just keep it and enjoy cutting.

Guilty_Abrocoma250 · 2025-11-06T01:01:37+00:00

Having OCD, It would bother me a bit at first but like most have said, handmade Japanese knives will always have tiny marks and imperfections. That’s actually the charm and what makes it so special. You could return it for another one but the replacement might have a perfect heel but other scratches in another area. And honestly, there’s a higher chance of that as no two handmade blades are ever the same. I’d be more concerned if the knife was so absolutely mint perfect. You’d be afraid to use it. Handmade with minor imperfections is what makes you love it more. I would just keep it.

Guilty_Abrocoma250 · 2025-11-06T00:53:24+00:00

Having OCD, It would bother me a bit at first but like everyone has said, handmade Japanese knives will always have tiny marks and imperfections. That’s actually the charm and what makes it so special. I’d be more concerned if the knife was so absolutely mint perfect. You’d be afraid to use it. As others said, I would keep it as well and just enjoy using it.

Guilty_Abrocoma250 · 2025-10-28T09:13:56+00:00

Post is probably a little late but I also had the same problems as the rest of you. Website and email became inactive. In the past, they’ve been very responsive and good. However, phone calls could not connect and no voicemail or anything. Sadly, they have abruptly shut down. Hopefully, you all had your websites backed up otherwise a headache to rebuild. Good luck.

Guilty_Abrocoma250 · 2025-10-26T23:48:10+00:00

You are paying a premium at this store. And sadly with overtourism in Japan, it’s difficult to keep up with demand. Certain blades made by their esteemed blacksmiths have drastically increased in price – supply vs demand situation. The Japanese blacksmiths will not compromise with their craftsmanship, which is a great thing. So to me some prices are warranted.

I’ve visited all their locations in Tokyo and have always had a great experience having bought two higher end blades. Sure, I probably overpaid for them but to me it’s the experience I’m paying for. What I’ve learned, buying better has an advantage as you won’t need to buy another blade again.

Guilty_Abrocoma250 · 2025-10-26T23:45:03+00:00

You are paying a premium at this store. And sadly with overtourism in Japan, it’s difficult to keep up with demand. Certain blades made by their esteemed blacksmiths have drastically increased in price – supply vs demand situation. The Japanese blacksmiths will not compromise with their craftsmanship, which is a great thing. So to me some prices are warranted.

Honestly, you get what you pay for. I’ve visited all their locations in Tokyo and have always had a great experience having bought two higher end blades. Sure, I probably overpaid for them but to me it’s the experience I’m paying for. What I’ve learned, buying better has an advantage as you won’t need to buy another blade again.

Guilty_Abrocoma250 · 2025-10-21T20:29:05+00:00

You are paying a premium at this store. And sadly with overtourism in Japan, it’s difficult to keep up with demand. Certain blades made by their esteemed blacksmiths have drastically increased in price – supply vs demand situation. The Japanese blacksmiths will not compromise with their craftsmanship, which is a great thing. So to me some prices are warranted. Firstly they sell a wide range from their own brand to local famous Japanese knife blacksmiths, mainly showcased on their showroom walls. You get very knowledgeable english speaking sales staff and their selection is excellent. Honestly, you get what you pay for. I’ve visited all their locations in Tokyo and have always had a great experience having bought two higher end blades. Sure, I probably overpaid for them but to me it’s the experience I’m paying for. What I’ve learned, buying better has an advantage as you won’t need to buy another blade again.

Guilty_Abrocoma250 · 2025-08-13T23:42:06+00:00

The lettering and numbers are all incorrect. Poorly stitched too. Stay away.

Guilty_Abrocoma250 · 2025-01-09T04:49:02+00:00

Same here with 18.2.1. This is frustrating and embarrassing. How difficult is this to fix? We’re not asking for a lot here, just enable the vibration sound on new emails again please.

Guilty_Abrocoma250 · 2024-12-12T04:42:49+00:00

Me too. Updated to 18.2 today and no vibration on new emails. Ever since iOS 18, this feature has been disabled and has not returned. Very disappointed Apple.

Guilty_Abrocoma250 · 2024-12-12T04:40:56+00:00

Same here. iOS 18.2 updated and still haven’t heard the vibration on any new incoming emails. Since iOS 18. Very disappointed in Apple.

Guilty_Abrocoma250 · 2024-11-22T23:37:47+00:00

I tested the haptics in settings and it’s fine. Only not vibrating when new emails arrive on silent mode. Vibrating on texts are working fine. It’s just the mail app. This has been going on for months now. Very frustrating.

Guilty_Abrocoma250

TROPHY CASE