The Petty is the perfect knife for slicing fresh herbs, cutting small vegetables and peeling fruits. Very versatile, this knife can even be used to debone poultry and small pieces of meat. Inspired by the French cuisine, the term ''petty'' is derived from the word ''petit'' and refers to a small chef's knife.

Kenji Togashi was born in 1948 and began his career in 1966-67. Since then, he has received numerous awards over the years. In 1990, he was awarded the Dentō-Kugeishi by Japan's Ministry of Economy and Trade. This distinction is reserved for Japanese craftsmen who are masters in their field, having accumulated at least 12 years' experience and proven their mastery of their art, both theoretically and practically. In 2007, the city of Sakai, in Osaka prefecture, awarded him certification as a "master of traditional craftsmanship" for his excellent tempering technique and exceptional mastery of kitchen knife making, honoring the traditions of ancestral Japanese forges.

Today, Kenji Togashi makes his knives from start to finish in his workshop in Sakai. He works with his three sons and a handful of apprentices to offer top-quality blades that meet the standards of Master Togashi himself. When you buy a Togashi blade, you're assured of a level of forging, grinding and finishing quality that rivals that of Sakai's finest forge houses.

Simply explained, Aogami #2 developed by Hitachi Metals is a steel made from Shirogami #2 in which some chromium and tungsten are added for better durability and corrosion resistance. In addition to that, the higher carbon content of the steel allows for better cutting retention. Objectively, the Aogami #2 is an improvement over the Shirogami #2. For patina lovers, however, Shirogami steel will be more reactive to oxidation and could be an advantage.