7-pocket Knife Portfolio Keep your most prized cutlery protected and ready for transport using this knife portfolio. Designed by Global, makers of professional quality cutlery, the knife portfolio features seven pockets for smaller knives and the zipper holds all the contents secure. The black, heavy-duty Denier nylon case resists ripping and tearing, and features white stitching as an attractive contrast. Dimensions: Open - 18-3/4 x 14.75-in. | Closed - 14.75 x 9-in. ...about Global Knives Global knives are manufactured by Yoshikin in Niigata, Japan. They were designed in 1985 by Komin Yamada. When Komin Yamada was commissioned for the job his mandate was to develop a range of knives that was truly new and revolutionary, using the best materials available and the latest manufacturing techniques. Made in Japan, Lifetime Warranty. Features The two most innovative features of Global knives are their edge and the way they are balanced. The most important feature of any knife is its edge, and the Global edge is truly its signature. The majority of the Global knives are sharpened or ground on both sides of the blade like western style knives. However, their edges are ground straight to a point rather than beveled resulting in a dramatically sharper knife which stays sharper longer. The edge is so large and prominent that it is easily seen with the naked eye and extends a quarter inch or more up from the tip of the knife. To balance their knives, Global uses a hollow handle which is then filled with just the right amount of sand to create the correct balance. Global uses this method rather than using a full tang and a bolster to balance their knives for two reasons. First, it is a far more precise than using a tang and a bolster. Second, Asian knives typically do not have bolsters, since they only serve as a hindrance to cutting and sharpening. Other unique features of Global knives are their smooth contours and seamless, all stainless steel construction which eliminates food and dirt traps offering the ultimate in safety and hygiene. Construction Global knives are made from the finest high carbon stainless steel available for producing professional quality kitchen knives. Yoshikin uses its own proprietary stainless steel which it calls CROMOVA 18 Stainless Steel. This steel is hard enough for Global knives to keep their edge for a long time, but soft enough so that it is not too difficult to sharpen the knives. The CRO in CROMOVA 18 stands for chromium and the 18 is the percentage of chromium in the steel. This high percentage of chromium contributes to Global's good stain resistance. Care should be taken to keep your Global knives stain and rust free. The MO and VA in CROMOVA 18 stand for molybdenum and vanadium. These two elements give a knife good edge retention. It is often asked why Global knives stay sharp so long without sharpening. The combination of the elements molybdenum and vanadium is one reason, but also refer back to our earlier diagram of the straight edge vs. the beveled edge. Now take a piece of paper and gradually push it up, slowly covering the tips of the two edge types, simulating the knives getting dull after use. Even as the Global straight edge gets dull it is still much thinner, and, therefore, much sharper than the knife with the beveled edge. Global Range There are four series of Global knives. They are G, GS, GF and GSF. For all practical purposes, the only difference among the series is that the G and GS knives are lighter in weight than the GF and GSF knives. The lighter weight knives are more characteristically Japanese and Global is best known for its lighter weight knives. One should decide for him or herself which knives best suit him or her. Sharpening We recommend periodically sharpening your knives using either a waterstone or ceramic stone. Our MinoSharp Professional Knife Sharpening Waterstone Kits and Global ceramic stones both come in rough, medium and superfine grits. Normally, a medium grit is sufficient with which to start. However, if your blade is really dull, it may be necessary to start with a rough grit. The superfine grit does only minimal sharpening. Its main propose is to polish the edge of the knife after it is sharpened. In between stone sharpenings, we recommend that you use our Global fine ceramic of diamond rod to keep the edges of your knives aligned. The diamond rod is harder than the ceramic rod and will align the edge quicker. The diamond rod also will not break if it is hit or dropped like the ceramic rod. However, if you break your ceramic rod, we sell replacements. Remember the best sharpening tool for an individual is one that he or she is going to use. If you maintain your knives on a regular basis, it will be easier to maintain them for the long term. Without a doubt, the easiest to use sharpening tools that we sell are our MinoSharp and MinoSharp Plus hand held ceramic sharpeners. No experience or skill is required to use these sharpeners. These sharpeners will both align your edges and sharpen your knives. Simply follow the instructions on the box which contains the sharpener and you will be sharpening like a pro in no time. Stone sharpening is the best way to sharpen any brand of knife. However, our MinoSharp or MinoSharp Plus sharpeners are infinitely better than using nothing at all. You will be amazed at how effective they truly are.