MIYABIBirchwood SG2 Japanese Kiritsuke Knife, 9.5-inch, All Purpose Kitchen Knife, Karelian Birch Handle, 100-layer flower Damascus pattern, Handcrafted in Seki, Japan

The knife alone is the epitome of all good qualities in a knife: sharpness as you've never experienced, hardness, stunning looks, I believe perfect proportions, the shape of the blade is one other particular reason I felt attracted, long 9.5" blade, the handle is exquisite too, asymmetrical, all details and craftsmanship.Notes: (not very important)Maybe there are two things, I'd have to mention as observations. One, I'm not sure I'm right, but the handle seems like finished natural birch wood but it doesn't seem waxed, glossy, you know. Perhaps what I am trying to say, it doesn't seem very well protected gainst water. Or, maybe it is, I'm not sure. My other Miyabi, a 5000 FCD 8" Gyutoh has a black handle that is like that, glossy and impermeable to water and I was wondering if this one wouldn't be better the same way.Secondly, I believe the box doesn't do justice to this marvel of a knife. I'm not asking for a encrusted wooden box, but at least for a sponge like form in which the knife would sit in its own custom shaped cutout, as the other Miyabi came in.Anyway, overall the knife is important and it is the most beautiful knife I've seen.

Does get dull over time, but can be sharpened. Noticed some chipping on the blade.