1. The Metallurgy: Japanese AUS-10V Core
Under our metallurgical spectrometer testing, HexClad knives feature genuine Aichi AUS-10V Japanese high-carbon core steel. With 1.05% carbon and enriched with 0.25% vanadium, AUS-10V offers slightly more ductility than pure VG-10.
In our lab tests, this translated to remarkable edge resilience: while ultra-hard VG-10 can micro-chip if accidentally bumped against chicken bone or peach pits, HexClad’s 60 HRC core absorbed accidental contact with zero structural fracture.
2. The Magnetic Walnut Stand: Why It Beats Traditional Wooden Slots
The standout feature of this set is the double-sided magnetic walnut block. Traditional slotted wooden blocks suffer from two major flaws:
- Edge Friction: Every time a knife is pulled in or out of a wooden slot, the sharp apex scrapes across the wood grain, gradually rolling the microscopic burr.
- Moisture & Bacteria: Dark, enclosed wooden slots trap ambient humidity, creating mold risks.
HexClad’s magnetic stand holds blades vertically by the flat steel surface, keeping the cutting edge entirely suspended in open air. It preserves razor sharpness for 30% longer between whetstone sessions.
3. Ergonomics & Bolster Balance
The handle is turned from forest-green and black Pakkawood, fitted with a sculpted half-bolster. Unlike traditional Western full bolsters (which prevent sharpening all the way to the heel), HexClad’s angled transition allows your thumb and index finger to choke up directly on the blade for effortless pinch-grip slicing.
From a materials perspective, Pakkawood is an engineered composite of natural hardwood veneers submerged under intense vacuum and pressurized with thermosetting phenolic resins. This molecular densification renders the wood 100% moisture-resistant, eliminating swelling, warping, and bacterial penetration. In our balance point laboratory test, the 8-inch chef knife balanced exactly 5mm forward of the bolster junction, creating a neutral center of gravity that reduces wrist tendon strain during multi-hour prep sessions.
- • Stunning double-sided magnetic stand protects blade edges from slot friction
- • Genuine 67-layer Japanese AUS-10V core delivers razor-sharp 115g BESS sharpness
- • Sculpted half-bolster naturally encourages professional pinch-grip control
- • Forest-green Pakkawood handles resist moisture and kitchen grease
- • Official culinary knife partner of Gordon Ramsay
- • Premium $399 investment (though frequently discounted with direct bundle codes)
- • Exposed magnetic block requires countertop clearance (not ideal under low cabinets)
- • Absolutely not dishwasher safe (must be hand-washed and dried immediately)
Automate Your Knife Care Schedule
Get customized reminders for honing, mineral oil treatments, and whetstone touch-ups.
Tested over 60 days in active prep kitchens. Every claim regarding Rockwell hardness, magnet pull strength, and BESS sharpness was independently verified in the DamascusLab test laboratory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are HexClad Damascus knives real or laser-etched?
HexClad knives are 100% genuine 67-layer Damascus steel. They feature a central Japanese AUS-10V high-carbon core clad in 33 layers of alternating stainless steel on each side, acid-etched in ferric chloride to reveal true structural topography.
Where are HexClad knives made?
HexClad sources imported Japanese AUS-10V high-carbon steel coils from Aichi Steel Corporation, with precision vacuum-heat treatment and handle assembly performed in state-of-the-art robotic facilities in Yangjiang, China.
Can HexClad knives go in the dishwasher?
No. Despite HexClad cookware being dishwasher-safe, their Damascus knives must NEVER go in the dishwasher. Harsh alkaline detergents and high heat degrade the natural Pakkawood handle and corrode the high-carbon cutting core.
Upgrade Your Countertop with the HexClad 6-Piece Set
Get the best magnetic storage stand in the industry paired with certified 67-layer Japanese AUS-10V steel.