Zwilling J.A. Henckels is aware that the forefront of cutlery innovation has moved to Japan, where new formulations in steel have begun to take on an aura of fine jewelry. Henckels has opened a new factory in Japan and is producing one the most innovative lines of cutlery coming out of Japan today. Henckels new operation has perfected the technique of the two layered knife made from powdered steel. A technique that has been attempted with varying results by three or four companies. Powdered Steel is molten steel that is atomized into micro powder and compacted under high pressure allowing for a perfect distribution of all the elements in the alloy, something that is not possible in molten steel where the various elements tend to group together which occasionally leads to a week spot. The core of this line is made from MC-66 Powdered Stainless Alloy, the hot press down method allows them to reach a 66 Rockwell Hardness, harder than anything on the market today. The core of the knife is then clad �with a corrosion resistant steel. The handle is made from Black Micarta; linen and resin compound by pressure and heat creates an elegant wood like appearance that is as hard as the handle on any Henckels.