Crafted in Japan, Global chef knives are handmade in the ancient tradition of the Samurai sword. Made in Japan, UKON, which means "the union of the traditional and the new," is a knife collection designed for smooth, effortless knife work, with one-piece stainless steel construction, ergonomic textured handles and integrated thumb rests for greater control and comfort. Cromova 18 stainless-steel blades are ice-tempered and hardened to 56-58 on the Rockwell scale and sharpened by both ceramic water sharpener and whetstone. Thanks to its razor-sharp serrated blade, the 9" bread knife cuts soft and crusty bread without crushing or ripping. The 8" classic chef's knife is just the thing for slicing, dicing, chopping, cutting, mincing and more, and a 7" santuko knife has a granton edge with scallops to help food slide away effortlessly. Both have thicker-than-average blades for extra power. The 6" serrated utility knife is a unique tool that's perfect for avocados, sausages, crusty bread and soft fruits, while the 3 ½" paring knife handles precision cutting, peeling and detailed tasks. A modern block holds all the knives at a convenient angle and looks sleek on a kitchen counter.