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Katto Chef Knife Review
Looking for a good chef’s knife? Not sure which one to pick? Why not try a Katto Chef knife? Handmade in the UK with a Japanese steel blade and wooden handle, they make short work of all your chopping needs. Read my review to find out all about these knives.
Katto Knives
Katto knives make handmade knives with Japanese steel blades and sustainable wooden handles. The company celebrate creativity and making, believing handmade knives are stronger, more balanced and more beautiful. As a result, no two knives are the same. This gives them a character and personality of their own.
Although each knife is different they are made and tested to the same exacting standards. Each knife is designed in-house, tested by hand and dispatched with love from the workshop. When you buy one you know that you are getting a one-of-a-kind piece.
The company began in 2018, started by Josh and Thomas, two friends. Josh came up with the idea after finding a new passion for cooking and a lack of handmade quality knives.
All the knives are made in the UK by hand. Japanese steel is the knife of preference for professional chefs, it feels more balanced and keeps the edge longer. Once the blade is made to exacting specifications the hand-crafted handle is attached.
Katto Collections
Katto makes more than chef’s knives. They also design Santotu, utility and bread knives, which can be bought on their own or in a set. The sets would make an amazing gift. The knives all come with a choice of different wooden handles, you can choose from black walnut, beech or walnut.
As well as knives they have a full range of kitchen accessories, which complement the knife including sharpening stones, a knife rack and a chopping board. They also have aprons, BBQ tools and a pestle and mortar set.
Choosing a Knife
When you order from the website the first choice you need to make is the type of knife you want. When you know this you can pick the wood for the handle. The different wood styles have different names. You also have the option of a cardboard or leather scabbard. If the item is for a gift you can get a personalise monogram on your knife.
I chose a chef’s knife in the Henry style, which has a black walnut handle.
Why a Katto Chef Knife?
Why did I choose a chef knife? A good chef knife is a great all-rounder that every kitchen should have. It can do everything from chopping vegetables to carving meat. It is also great for chopping harder vegetables like potatoes, or parsnips, due to the wider lower edge of the blade.
I thought I would get the most use from this knife.
What’s in the Box?
I was looking forward to receiving my knife but I wasn’t prepared for the amount of care taken with the packaging. The knife arrives in a box tied with brown paper and string. Opening the box feels personal, and removing the brown paper reveals a branded box.
Inside the box, the first thing you see is a thank you note with care information and FAQs. The knife is protected by foam packing and in a cardboard scabbard. It sits on top of a Katto branded tote bag, a gift. You might get a tea towel instead. There is also a penny on a card with an information note.
Why the Penny?
Whenever I got my mum a knife for a present she would always give me a penny. There is a long-held superstition that gifting knives can sever the friendship between the giver and the recipient. The only way around this is to give the giver a penny. This is a symbolic payment which means the knife has been purchased and prevents the relationship from being cut.
Alternatively, the giver can attach a penny to the knife which the recipient can then return to signify the purchase.
Did you also know that if you keep a knife in a jar of water by the back or front door of your home it wards off evil spirits. This is because they are afraid of the reflections on the water and the knife’s surface.
Katto Chef Knife Looks
After removing the scabbard from the knife you can see its beautiful dappled appearance. The knife is stunning and you can see the care that has gone into making it. It would look great in any kitchen.
Katto Chef Knife Performance
The knife looks good but how well does it perform? The answer is it is brilliant. The knife is really sharp which makes it effortless to use. It feels well balanced and the handle is comfortable to grip. Its length takes a little bit of getting used to at first but it makes it much easier to use and control.
What can you use it for?
Everything! It is so versatile I am using it for ..
- Dicing vegetables
- Slicing limes
- Cutting raw meat
- Cutting bread
- Chopping herbs
It will even slice ripe tomatoes uniformly, a definite result. Why not try this homemade tomato relish?
How do you Care for the Katto Chef Knife?
The knife is really easy to clean, just wash in warm soapy water and dry it with a cloth. I also keep it in the cardboard scabbard to keep protect the blade.
Katto also recommends that you add a little oil to the blade to prevent oxidisation.
How do you sharpen it?
If the knife does need sharpening Katto recommend using a Japanese whetstone. Katto also offer a free sharpening service.
Value for Money
The Henry Knife with the walnut handle costs £101. The Nala style with the beech handle is slightly cheaper at £96 or the Olivia rosewood version is £136. If you are on a budget this might not be for you. For a unique handmade piece that will last a lifetime, it is well worth the investment.
What I Thought of the Katto Chef Knife
I loved this knife. It is really easy to use, slices things perfectly and looks stylish. Now I feel like a proper chef.
This would also make a lovely gift for someone who loves cooking, you can even get it monogrammed for a more personal gift.
More information
For more information, to buy a knife or to find out about the free sharpening service visit the Katto website.
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Disclosure: I was sent the knife for the purposes of the review. I get to keep the knife but all opinions are honest and my own
Kim Carberry says
That really is a beautiful knife and the packaging is something else and I didn’t know that about a penny. It sounds like a fantastic knife. x
Alison Maclean says
It is, I love it and its getting great use