Seki Kanetsugu is a knife maker in Seki, whose ancestor was a famous swordsmith Kanetsugu (1336-1392). The company itself was founded in 1918 and celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2018. Although this is considered to be a machine-forged knife, it is perhaps at the highest level. The blade is expertly crafted from VG2 steel, a tougher cousin of VG10. While it won’t hold an edge quite as long, the convex-ground edge ensures it cuts like a razor while maintaining its tough characteristic. The stunning heptagon-shaped handle is made with pakka wood for its strength, and feels excellent in the hand.