Our Yoshihiro Saki-Maru Tako-Biki has a beautiful Damascus pattern, Japanese Rosewood octagon handle with a Water Buffalo horn bolster affixed and a White Oak Saya cover. This knife is a variation of a Tako-Biki and in turn a variant of a Yanagi. Maru means round in Japanese, in reference to its rounded tip. Its long slender blade and single-bevel make for cutting sushi, sashimi and rolls effortless. This Gin-san Damascus is a high performing stainless steel. Its beautiful wavy pattern is developed by Yoshihiro master blade-smiths using traditional forge welding methods mixed with modern techniques and adding strengthening elements of Carbon, Chromium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Sulfur and Silicon. The result is a knife that sharpens with ease and holds its edge. Yoshihiro's Gin-san Damascus is extremely user friendly, and is a popular blade choice for single-bevel knives among all ranks of chefs.