Hitohira Setsu Forged VG-10 Damascus Petty 140mm Jutan Handle

Hitohira Setsu knives are hand forged in Echizen, Fukui Prefecture, from stainless clad VG10. We don’t see a lot of hand forged VG-10 so we’re thrilled to stock these. VG-10 with a fine structure and relative ease of sharpening as result of the forging process.
The grind is very thin, convex but more flat towards the edge. Smooth performance and long lasting edge, these are very high end handmade stainless steel knives. A unique fold in the cladding, multiple layers of soft stainless steel in a sharp pattern. We carry this line with rosewood and Honduras rosewood. Restocks expected every 3-5 months.

Petty knives (Utilty) have a similar profile as the Gyuto but smaller, commonly ranging from 12 to 15cm. A shape most often used next to any larger all-purpose blade (gyuto & santoku) although there are many households where this is the go-to knife. Very suitable for the smaller cutting tasks such as cleaning, portioning and peeling fruits and vegetables and cleaning smaller cuts of meat or fish. 

Pairing knives are more used for in-hand tasks such as peeling, trimming, scoring and cleaning and fruit or vegetable. 

Stainless steel gets its name from the inclusion of chromium (10-13%) in the alloy, which forms a protective film that helps prevent rust and corrosion by acting as a barrier between the metal and oxygen.
While stainless steel knives are practical, functional, and easier to maintain than carbon steel, they are not completely maintenance-free. With improper care, they can still rust or develop pitting—after all, "stainless" does not mean "stain-free."

The level of corrosion resistance varies depending on the type of stainless steel used, but the basic principles of care are similar to those for carbon steel knives.

To maintain your knife, store it clean and dry, avoid air-drying after washing, never use the dishwasher, and steer clear of cutting extremely hard items like frozen food or bones.
The key advantage of stainless steel over carbon steel is a greater margin for error—its rust resistance is higher, making it easier to maintain with less worry.

Remember, not all stainless steels are the same. Just like with carbon steels, each stainless steel alloy has its own unique properties and performance characteristics, and should be judged individually.