Forged in Sakai, Japan by master blacksmith Yoshikazu Tanaka, the core steel on this HADO Junpaku Petty 150mm is Hitachi Metals Yasuki Specialty Steel (YSS) Shirogami one, which is one of the purest YSS carbon steels and the closest to tamahagane steel. The steel can be a challenge for some blacksmiths, but in the hands Yoshikazu-san you can be assured that the result is a beautifully hard, yet tough edge that will become wonderfully sharp. The knife features a San Mai or 3-layer construction with the Shirogami steel protected by a soft stainless-steel jacket. Ground and sharpened by HADO knives’ Tadataka Maruyama, the spine thickness is consistent up until the primary bevel, which then tapers very quickly towards the tip giving the knife a very stable feel. A wide bevel, flat ground knife, these blades are super sharp and thin behind the edge. Pressing your fingernail against the edge you will notice a little flex, demonstrating just how thin and sharp these knives are. Tadataka-San has done an amazing job in terms of fit and finish and each knife features a beautifully polished and rounded spine and artfully ground, angular choil. A blend of textures on the face of the blade help to highlight the three layer San Mai construction and emphasise the stunning cladding line. Moving back to the handle we find a stunning two tone oak urushi handle with matte finish natural urushi lacquer on the top and bottom of the octagonal shaped, hidden tang handle and a very classy high polish red urushi on the sides. The shape of the handle is a very traditional Japanese octagonal shape and feels very comfortable in the hand. This is a very classy knife featuring amazing fit and finish, world class grind and a beautiful, tasteful design.