In addition to having your knife performance tuned before it ships, you will received a coupon for complimentary re-sharpening of your knife (a $12-$50 value). That is the District Cutlery difference.

Masakage Shimo knives are hand-forged by Yu Kurosaki. This line is damascus-clad shirogami #2, named for the frost that forms on a window in the winter.

Shirogami #2 carbon steel clad with damascus.
Rockwell Hardness 62:63
Octagonal handle of Magnolia wood and Ebony.

Japanese chef knives are brittle and are designed for cutting soft tissue foods. High Carbon steel chef knives can rust if not kept dry.