The Calphalon Katana Series 8-piece cutlery set contains a 3-1/2-inch paring knife, 5-inch Santoku knife, 5-1/2-inch serrated utility knife, 6-inch utility knife, an 8-inch Chef's knife, kitchen shears and a diamond sharpening steel. The set fits beautifully in a 13-slot tiered bamboo knife block. The name Katana comes from the sacred sword carried by Japan's Samurai warriors and the special angling of the handles and layered blade patterns live up to the namesake. Crafted of VG-1 Japanese high-carbon steel, the exceptionally sharp blades are the result of a time-honored layering process. The Damascus-style blades feature an amazing 33 layers of stainless steel, resulting in a distinctive pattern that is not only beautiful, but also exceptional hard and resistant to staining or rust. The poly-resin handles are contoured for a comfortable slip-free grip, and are guaranteed not to chip, crack, or peel. Because the stainless steel carries through all the way to the handle in a full tang design, the black poly-resin covering acts as a sandwich on the top and bottom, leaving the stainless steel exposed to form an elegant stripe on each side. The patented integrated bolster seamlessly meshes with the blade for a perfectly balanced feel. To maintain the beauty and performance, the knives should be cleaned carefully with a soapy cloth, rinsed, and dried immediately after each use.