The Messermeister Oliva Elite Series features natural Mediterranean olive wood handles that are both attractive and comfortable. Highly-polished and well-shaped, these handles allow for a comfortable pinch grip, but leave plenty of room for cooks who prefer to hold a knife entirely by the handle. Oliva Elite knives are materially similar to Meridian Elite; the blade, bolster and tang are made from one piece of hot-drop forged German 1.4116 steel that has been hardened to a Rockwell of 57/58°. True to tradition, Messermeister makes each Oliva Elite knife, one at a time in Solingen, Germany. Each blade is sharpened to a 15° angle and is finished by hand stropping on a cloth wheel. These are heirloom quality knives, built to last and perform for many, many years.