Lamson has made knives in Westfield, Massachusetts since 1837. The blade is eight inches of high-carbon stainless hardened to 58 on the Rockwell scale, and the tang runs the length of a walnut handle held with brass. It is cut and ground and polished and sharpened in that same town. Wash it by hand and dry it after. Lamson will sharpen it free for as long as you own it.