To start with the ZA-18 steel is user friendly and has rust-resistant properties that make it easy to care for. The Alloy composition of ZA-18 is made up of cobalt, molybdenum, chromium with a carbon content that is slightly higher than the level found in VG-10, giving the blade a higher resistance to corrosion and a touch more strength and durability. VG-10 is the steel of choice for most of the blacksmiths that make up the Takefu Knife Village. The steel is tempered to give a hardness of around 61-62HRC. The ZA-18 Damascus Santoku is a superb, versatile kitchen knife with great balance, incredible sharpness, resistance to rust, easy to maintain and to sharpen, with a beautiful 63-layered Damascus patterning. The handles are a beautiful Rosewood asymmetrical D-Shape. The ZA-18 Damascus Nakiri is made by the leading blacksmith of Yoshida Hamono, Osamu-San. The Nakiri is a Japanese style vegetable knife. It has a really straight blade so that you can cut down to the board without having to make a horizontal slicing action. This knife is perfect for cutting up vegetables.
