The traditional Japanese D-shaped handles are made of Masur Birchwood; famous for its warm tone and richly rippled grain. The elegant blade is formed as 101 layers of steel are precision ground to expose a beautiful flower Damask pattern and the wavy Katana edge exposes a cutting core of ultra-hard Micro-Carbide MC63 powdered steel. CRYODUR® vacuum tempering & the three-step Honbazuke honing process ensures long-lasting cutting performance.