What is Hardened Steel?
Hardened steel is made by a process by which the molecular structure of the steel is made less malleable by partial crystallization. Steel is brought from a high temperature to a low temperature very quickly, and produces a metal that can withstand greater force than unhardened steel. Hardened steel for knives comes from heating, cooling and pounding steel until you crush together its molecules. Japanese carbon steel derives from techniques originally developed to produce steel for samurai swords. Its exceptional hardness lets you hone an incredibly sharp edge on the blade. Hardened steel knives cost more than normal knives due to the extra processing involved.