This Gohumanosuke Yoshiro Kanto Usuba has a Japanese White Oak octagon handle with a Water Buffalo horn bolster affixed and a matching White Oak Saya cover. This blunted tip design comes out of the Kanto region. With its wide and straight blade profile, this Usuba is extremely sharp. Suited for the Japanese push style of cutting and katsuramuki. Gin-san, also known as Ginsanko is a high performing stainless steel. Yoshihiro master blade-smiths use traditional forging methods mixed with modern techniques and strengthening elements of Carbon, Chromium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Sulfur and Silicon. The result is a knife that sharpens with ease and holds its edge. Extremely user friendly, Gin-San is a popular blade choice for single-bevel knives among all ranks of chefs.