Real beauties. Stainless steel wrapped around razor sharp Aogami #2 Blue Carbon blades with a nashi finish said to resemble the rough texture of a Japanese pear. The walnut handle is shaped in a Western style giving a familiar feel, but with a lovely Japanese balance. The stainless nashi coating is irregular, and some knives can appear quite heavily pitted - this is not a fault, but shows the hand of the maker, and prevents food from sticking to the blade.