This versatile knife set ably handles meats, vegetables and breads with ease. Crafted by hand with over 100 steps, the blades boast 34 layers of stainless steel forged on each side of razor-sharp cores. The resulting rippled Damascus finish prevents food from sticking while keeping the knives lightweight and maneuverable. Ergonomic ebony-hued handles provide a comfortable grip in either hand. Accommodating the 3.5-inch paring, 6-inch utility, 8-inch chef's and 9-inch bread knives with room to spare, the low-profile beechwood tray takes cutlery off the counter and stows it neatly in a drawer.Each exquisite Shun knife is carefully crafted in a 100-step process inspired by ancient sword smiths. The amazing blades are created in Seki City, Japan's 700-year-old center for samurai swords.