The MV series are Masahiro's top of the line knife series, and I am buying it directly from Masahiro in Japan. The quality of Masahiro's top of the line series can be seen at the edge. The left side of the blade is flat. The right side is beveled to the edge of the knife and then polished. The blade is "finished" by putting an edge that is so thin on the right side it is nearly imperceptible. This modern Japanese blade design results in a superior blade with a smoother action, placing the pressure on the item being cut rather than against the fingers of the hand you are holding the product with. Made of Molybdenum Vanadium Stainless Steel. The handles on Honyaki Series are riveted full tang with thin layers of black dyed wood pressed in a clear (but not shiny) polycarbide. The taper runs from the spine all the way to the edge and is so precise that the final grind is almost imperceptible. This raises the edge to a whole new level of sharpness.

Left Handed Knives: Why are they so expensive? An old Japanese superstition tags left handed as "shifty" causing the majority to learn to use their right hand. Low demand means final production is finished by hand.