Shun VG0014 Blue 8-Inch Kiritsuki Knife Kiritsuke is the only multipurpose traditional Japanese knife, (in Japan only the executive chef in the kitchen is allowed to use one) Featuring Japanese san mai (meaning 3-layers) construction; carbon steel sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel Blue Steel cutting core of fine-grained blue carbon steel for sharpness, edge retention and easy re-sharpening Knife blades feature a mirror-polish that enhances stain resistance; Light bead-blasting along the edge shows off the san mai construction Features 16-degree cutting angle each side, flat ground; handes in blue-gray Pakkawood; each knife comes with a Japanese-style saya, or sheath