The simplistic design of this marking knife is great for marking out joinery. Either dovetail or mortise and tenon, the sword tip design permits left- or right-hand use. Unlike western style marking knife which comes with handles, this Japanese marking knife allows the user to have great control. The 15mm wide blade is laminated to a layer of softer carbon steel. This construction, combined with a hollow-ground back and wide bevel, makes it easy to sharpen. Mr. Ikeuchi master blacksmith along with his fellow blacksmiths hand forge, grind, & sharpen these knives. White high carbon steel laminated on top with a softer layer of steel allowing the blade to be hardened to Rockwell 64. With all steel as it becomes harder & tougher, it will be more brittle & can snap in half, the soft steel lamination arrests this possibility. Ikeuchi are beveled ground on one side only & flat to edge on the underside yet hollow ground as a common practice to facilitate less time in re-honing to a sharp edge.