This RB Damascus usuba is simply stunning with it"s 16 Damascus layers. It"s well balanced and easy to maintain. The usuba is a vegetable chopping knife. The blade is thin, which is necessary for chopping dense vegetables without breaking them. The tall blade keeps knuckles well above the cutting board. Whetstone is recommended for sharpening. History- Since 1550, Yoshihiro, Masamune and Yoshimitsu were known as the best sword craftsmen in Japan. After his death, Yoshihiro"s apprentices continued to use his technique and traditional skills. The techniques used to make samurai swords are used to make Yoshihiro chef knives. Yoshihiro knives are now recognized to be one of the best chef knives in Japan due to the rich history and techniques that are applied from sword making to chef knives.