Andrey, would you elaborate a little bit what's better with kikuryu in terms of performance compared to other katos (basically kato vs kato)?
I also like to know what you liked so much about the 180 petty?
what is the main difference between kato damascus and kato kikuryu? I saw the pattern difference between the two knives on jns website...but kikuryu just has more folding to get more complex damascus pattern or it's with different metals from what's used in kato damascus? maybe manufacturing secret?
Hi, there are some manufacturing secrets for sure, otherwise Kato-san would produce them all the time.
As fas as i know he does them very seldom due to specific production process, just some knives a year. There should be a reason why.
.
Damascus is harder, then " normal" Gyutos. Sturdier. Feels more solid in the hand. The difference isn't that huge in comparison to 240 mm, but quite big vs my Dragon 210.
The huge gap is between any knife, including Damascus, and Kikuryu. You maybe know, Kato-san folds his own Damascus by himself. So the cladding becomes harder. Damascus has many layers, Kikuryu - so many..
.. The knife has been etched as well, so it's less reactive, BTW.
Kikuryu is even more hard, then his Damascus. The knife feels like a....sword. Like a real weapon, not just like a knife. Almost no flex. The steel seems to be harder. Not Shirogami, all the knives made for Maksim are made of some other steel, seems to be some old stock. For USA he uses Shirogami, as far as i know. I have many knives made of this steel from different blacksmiths, so i can see- the steel is definitely different.
The retention is amasing( if sharpened correctly). Kikuryu Gyuto gives you the sense of danger
. No , really, it doesn't cut. It SEPARATES the products. Strange feeling. Amazing..
Very sturdy knife, you feel real respect holding it. Totally different from all other knives. IMHO. Comparing ca 50 great knives. At least. This knife I never give for testing.
BTW- I haven't got the same feeling using/testing Kikuryu Petty 180. But " normal" Petty 180 made me fall in love with it. Lightweight, speedy, sharp as a devil! After getting it i stopped using my Petties made my Shigefusa!!!!!
And i have them all: Kuroushi, Kasumi, Kitaeji. I even decided to sell Kitaeji ( unused, BTW) , because the comparisson wasn't at Shigefusa favore.
. Not at all.
Kato is very reactive, but that's all. Shige as well. You know, i had the same feeling choosing between Nakiri ( Kato vs Shigefusa). Shigefusa was so nice, silky finish even on kuroushi , Kato looked like a redneck vs a yappy. But...the first cut showed who's the Boss!
Shigefusa is definitely better in finish AND in his single bevelled knives. He is the King there. Comparing their Yanagibas i can say it. That's why i have 1 Kato Yanagiba, and all the range incl. Kitaeji from Shigefusa.
So these two great blacksmiths are the jewels, the real diamonds. There should be some other great ones, but all i saw/tried/ have can be easily beaten by them. Unless you need a SS or PM knife.