The Calphalon Katana Series 7" Nakiri Knife features a beautiful, custom-forged Damascus-style blade with 32 layers of stainless steel over a Japanese VG-1 steel core. This time-honored process not only imparts exceptional sharpness, but also allows the blade to retain its edge for enduring, high-performance results. The Nakiri knife is a traditional Japanese vegetable cleaver. The straight edge is designed to slice, dice, and julienne using a firm thrust forward, rather than a rocking motion.