Overview The Masakage Kiri Damascus Nakiri 165 mm is your precision vegetable prep powerhouse. Forged by Yoshimi Kato in Echizen and hand-sharpened by Takayuki Shibata, it features a 49-layer stainless Damascus cladding that evokes drifting kiri (“fog”) while protecting a VG-10 core hardened to ~HRC 60-62. A tall 58 mm blade height and ultra-thin grind let this nakiri sail through onions, carrots, and herbs with near-zero resistance, while the stainless construction makes maintenance stress-free for pros and home cooks alike. Common Questions Q: Is a nakiri only for vegetables?A: Primarily, yes—it excels at push-cutting and chopping produce. But thanks to its fine tip and flat edge, it can handle boneless proteins and herb mincing with ease. Q: How rust-resistant is the VG-10 steel?A: VG-10 is stainless, so it shrugs off stains and oxidation. Just hand-wash, dry, and you’re good. Q: Do I need special stones to sharpen it?A: A standard waterstone progression (1 k / 3 k) works great. The 50/50 edge makes sharpening straightforward even for beginners. Specifications Core Steel: VG-10 stainless Cladding Type: 49-layer stainless Damascus Blade Length: 165 mm Overall Length: 302 mm Spine Thickness (Heel): 2.4 mm Spine Thickness (Mid): 2.0 mm Blade Height: 58 mm Weight: 183 g Handle Material: Magnolia oval w/ red pakkawood ferrule Hardness (HRC): 60-62