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HATTORI HD DAMASCUS BLADES

Rockwell Hardness 60:62

Ichiro Hattori, now 65 years old, has been making knives since the age of 18. His never compromise attitude to seek the finest workmanship has earned him the title "World's Best Knife Craftsman" by the Seki Knife Industrial Association. In the final finishing he gives his special care and attention to every knife - blade grinding, polishing flaws and fit.

Hattori-san's patented Damascus steel has 63 layers of steel within each knife blade! There are 30 layers of a high quality Stainless Steel (420J2) with a central core of VG-10 high carbon stainless steel. VG-10 is a newly developed high carbon (0.95 to1.05%) stainless steel. Molybdenum (0.9 to 1.2%) and Vanadium (0.1 to 0.3%) are added for their stainless properties and Cobalt (1.3 to 1.5%) for toughness.

Hand sharpened and hand honed with a 50/50 double bevel edge these are great performers in the kitchen. Each blade is hand chiselled with Ichiro Hattori-san's signature in Kanji. The handle is made from rugged silicone injected rosewood with a full tang and welded bolster

If one was to purchase a knife hand made entirely by the man himself from hand folded steel consisting of 73 layers one would expect to pay $1200 or more. I'm currently on the wait list. I've been told it may be a year or more.