Review on 🔪 KYOKU 3.5" Paring Knife - Shogun Series - Japanese VG10 Steel Core Damascus Blade - with Protective Sheath & Travel Case by Brian Vasquez

>. Anyone familiar with knives knows that VG-10 is tough steel. It's difficult to sharpen well because it's so hard; BUT once sharp, it stays sharp for a while longer than you might expect. Coating the solid steel with patterned steel (also called damask) is designed to protect the VG-10 from accidental abuse. This is how it was done in Japan from generation to generation. It protected the tools of both the samurai and the chef from serious damage.>. Because this knife is made in China, there is some speculation that the patterned steel outer metal is simply lasered into the knife. I am not experienced enough to refute this claim, but the argument went further and said who would make pattern steel in such a small amount?>. To them I say: I believe that the pattern of steel is true. As it is exported in bulk from various steel mills around the world. For example, I could see tons of it in small blanks that were shipped daily from Germany or Japan to knife makers where they were needed. The same with VG-10. Some work on shaping the blade, welding pattern steel to the VG-10, and voila, 10,000 or more knives made in a month.>. Gone are the days when individual craftsmen made kitchen knives, except very high quality blades, or individual blacksmiths made good blades for their kitchen or a friend's kitchen. The blacksmith cannot keep up with good, inexpensive kitchen knives. Custom blades, yes; conventional knives, no.