KAI USA's Shun Sora

Kai USA is introducing a new technology to its Shun cutlery assortment at this year’s International Home + Housewares Show that allows the Japanese knife maker to moderate its pricepoints without sacrificing edge sharpness and quality, according to Tommie Lucas, manager/product development for Shun.

The new Sora collection combines traditional Japanese aesthetics with patented composite blade technology to create knives with razor-sharp performance but at lower pricepoints, the company said. The composite blade of VG10 san mai and stainless steel are laser cut and fit together and then permanently joined by braze welding to position the hard VG10 steel where it’s needed for the sharpest blade edge.

By utilizing this blade development method, the company is able to use smaller amounts of actual cutting steel, positioning it where it is most effective. “The design is a cloud, a traditional Japanese pattern at the cutting edge,” said Lucas. “The rest is a mirror finish.”

The new Sora knives are also slightly more user-friendly in that they offer easier maintenance, according to the company. “Sora is for someone who wants a premium knife but hasn’t had one before,” Lucas said.