China Miracle Blade boasts that the knives are “German stainless steel.” Maybe the steel came from Germany, but my knives were made in China.

STAINLESS STEEL KNIFE PREMIUM STAINLESS STEEL KNIFE SET: With all-new, perfectly balanced handles, flash forged technology, the Miracle Blade Knives have the right knife for every job.

Seki City, Japan, has been the center of high-end swords and knives since the 13th century. It is home to several high-end cutlers due to its traditional background and excellent natural resources. Of course, a few other cities like Seki have also found their niche in the fine art of Japanese knife making.

Japanese blade sharpness is a result of their higher carbon content – the more carbon in the steel leads to a harder steel which can be sharpened to a finer edge. Western high carbon blades usually have less than 0.8% carbon – making them relatively softer.

German stainless steel Even more, the blades feature high-quality German stainless steel, which means they won't ever dull, so there's no need for the time-consuming chore of sharpening.

The traditional handmade Japanese knives are made from carbon steel called Hagane, the best steel for a knife. The modern version of Hagane is called Yasugi steel (aka Yasuki). The blades are layered with carbon steel at the core and soft iron steel on the outside.

Because of their thinner and sharper blade, Japanese chef knives are best for slicing and precision work. In fact, you'll want to avoid cutting bone, frozen or hard foods or anything else that might potentially chip or crack the blade when using these types of knives.

One of the key factors that contribute to the high price of Japanese knives is the exceptional quality of the steel used in their construction. Japanese knife-makers often employ high-carbon stainless steel, which offers a perfect balance of hardness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance.

Making a great blade is an art. This precision of its design is the main reason why razors are so expensive. To make them, it all starts with fine sheets of steel that are ground so they're super sharp to the tip and sturdy at its base.

Known for its high quality and unique properties, Japanese steel is often used in the production of knives and other cutting tools. Japanese steel is made using a combination of iron sand and charcoal, which is then forged using traditional techniques to create a high-quality steel that is both strong and durable.

420HC steel is one of the best materials in the budget-friendly knife segment. Steel does not rust, does not stain and has stable predictable properties.

Toughness. With its high carbon and chromium alloy, 5160 is the steel of choice for sword manufacturers due to its high impact resistance. Using Rockwell hardness guidelines, 5160 steel has a hardness of 57-58 HRC, which gives it decent edge retention and excellent toughness.