You're looking at our highest quality traditional Japanese skiving knife with a thick Forged Blue steel Aogami No. 2 blade coated in the style of Damascus steel, held in place with a hefty bolster, engraved with the artisan's seal on the back of the blade. The handle, crafted from the highest quality charred oak wood, is ergonomically curved and sealed with lacquer to ensure longevity, the thick blade is made of the highest quality Forged Blue steel that has been hand folded numerous times. Furthermore, this knife is tempered on the inside of the blade and annealed on the other surface giving you an exceptionally sharp blade that will last many years.This Damascus style Japanese utility knife is the ultimate in quality and durability with a thick Forged Blue steel blade, folded and annealed to cut leather perfectly and an ergonomic lacquered oak handle, charred to hardened it, this knife will offer the very best in service for many years to come.To cut leather, simply lay your leather on a high-quality, specifically designed cutting mat. Take the appropriate corner of the blade and insert it into the leather, then pull the knife towards you while twisting the blade in the desired direction. Make sure that the blade cuts both the mat and the leather for better control and to reduce slipping. When making turns while cutting, tilt the handle of the knife away from you for better control. And for straight lines, tilt the handle of the blade towards you for a straighter cut and increased efficiency.To skive, place the leather flesh side up on a hard surface that the blade cannot cut, such as glass, with the edge you want to skive facing away from you. Hold the knife with the bevel facing upwards and the edge of the blade facing in the same direction as the edge of the leather, or at a slight angle if preferred. Cut the leather from the starting point of the skive to the edge, either straight out or across.The blade measures 36mm width (1.4), hand crafted from the highest quality steel and wood this knife will ensure many years of use. As with all Japanese blade, please ensure that it is stored in a manner that will prevent the cutting edge from contacting hard surfaces.