FAQ - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OUR JAPANESE KITCHEN KNIVES
Everything you need to know about the Japanese Damascus steel knife
Japanese knives are sharp and versatile tools that can be used for a wide variety of tasks. They are made of high-quality steel and are known to be very resistant to wear and tear. The blades of these knives are usually double-edged and have a pointed tip that is ideal for precision work. Japanese knives are valuable tools to have in any kitchen.
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What is Damascus steel?
Damascus steel is a steel that consists of a large number of layers that are forged together. Damascus steel is also known as Damast, Damascus steel or folded steel.
Traditionally, the purpose of Damascus steel was to improve the properties of a piece of steel. A piece of raw steel was forged and elongated into a longer piece which was then folded in half and reforged together. By repeating this process several times, a piece of steel is obtained that consists of several dozen layers.
This had two advantages:
- The defects and foreign bodies that are present in the steel are distributed throughout the piece of steel, helping to eliminate weak points. The crystalline structure of the steel is also refined by this forging process. Thus, swords and knives can be made that break much less quickly.
- During the manufacturing of Damascus steel, the steel is heated in a brazier. The steel absorbs the carbon from the flames and, by folding the steel over itself several times, the carbon is distributed throughout the steel. The carbon helps harden the steel.
What materials are our knives made from?
We offer you different collections made of different materials.
You can find the following materials for the blades:
7CR17 steel with laser sublimation (this is an original knife with additional laser engravings on the blade)
- 67-layer Damascus steel
- VG10 Damascus steel
- Stainless steel
- Stamped stainless steel
You can find the following materials for the sleeves:
- Resin
- Drink
- Ebony wood
- Rosewood
- Aerospace aluminum
These details are included in the description of each of our product sheets.
It is important to tell you that each material has its own characteristics.
If you have any questions or specific requests, please do not hesitate to contact us so that we can guide you in your purchase.
Are our knives suitable for professional use?
In order to meet everyone's needs, we offer several collections. Some are more suited to a particular use, and others to professional use. Discover the details of each collection.
Our box for beginners:
- Kitchen set - Chef Hakuzo
Our collections for enthusiasts:
- Chef Tanaka Collection - Forest Wood
- Chef Tanaka Collection - Ocean Blue
- Chef Tanaka Collection - Land of Fire
Our collections for professionals and enthusiasts:
- Chef Yakumoto Collection
- Yellow Sea Series Collection
- Kyoto Collection
- Tokyo Collection
- Our special knives
All collections have a complete description on each of our product sheets.
If you have any questions or specific requests, please do not hesitate to contact us so that we can guide you in your purchase.
Where are our knives made?
Our knives are made in our forging workshop by professional craftsmen according to Japanese tradition. Their know-how has been passed down from generation to generation for decades. We met them to discuss the manufacturing process, and especially the quality we expected for our knives. We wanted 3 simple things:
- High quality steel offering a clean and precise cut. A very clear process is put in place and is followed to the letter, in order to offer you high-end steel knives.
- Handles with noble materials and above all, an optimal grip allowing a pleasant and optimal grip.
- Overall well-balanced knives, which can therefore offer perfect handling, making everyday tasks easier.
How to cut food with a Japanese knife?
The best approach to cutting with a Japanese knife is to use a slicing motion. This helps prevent the knife edge from becoming dull too quickly.
Do our accessories fit all our knives?
Before ordering your accessories, we recommend that you pay attention to all the dimensions as well as the materials used. Most of our accessories are standard so that they fit a maximum number of knives.
Payment and security
How to pay for your order?
You can pay for your order with the following bank cards: Visa, Visa debit, Visa electron, MasterCard, American Express.
We also accept payments via PayPal.
For all Paypal requests: contact@supportpaypal.fr
We also accept payments in cryptocurrencies.
We also accept payments with Apple Pay.
Site Security
You can rest assured that ordering from Kaitsuko is completely secure. We use the latest information encryption systems.
So your personal data such as your name, address, telephone number, email and banking information are encrypted and therefore cannot be intercepted.
Our payment providers are separate from our site and have no access to your information.
In addition, your banking information will never be visible to anyone other than you and will never be recorded.
Delivery
Delivery times
Our orders are processed every hour from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). An order is shipped the same day if it is placed before 2 p.m. (excluding weekends and public holidays).
We have three different delivery methods:
- Chrono Relay + tracking (3 to 5 working days)
- Colissimo with signature + tracking (2 to 3 working days)
- Chronopost Express + tracking (delivered the next day before 1 p.m. if the order is placed the day before before 12 p.m., excluding weekends and public holidays)
Your tracking number is sent to you by email as soon as your order is shipped. Deliveries are managed by our delivery service providers. They are the only ones who can indicate and manage delivery times. In the event of a delay, we invite you to contact our partners directly using the dedicated numbers.
All our orders are processed continuously and shipped the same day.
Our packages are shipped directly from mainland France. However, in the event of an exceptional stock shortage on our main platform, we ship our packages directly from our forging workshop. The delivery time may therefore take two weeks. This information will be specified to you when you place your order.
Shipping costs
The delivery costs are as follows:
- Chronos Relay: €3.99
- Colissimo with signature: €7.99
- Chronopost: €14.99
Mondial Relay delivery is free for purchases over €80.
How do I track my delivery?
You can follow the progress of your delivery in real time by clicking on this link: https://kaitsuko.com/apps/17track
Indicate your tracking number (received by email when your order is shipped) or your order number (received by email when your order is confirmed) as well as your email address associated with it.
Returns and Refunds
Modify or cancel your order
Orders are prepared almost instantly. The slips containing your contact details and addresses are printed directly as soon as your package is prepared. As a result, it is not possible to cancel an order once it has been validated.
Return a package
We do our utmost to ensure that you are satisfied with the packages you receive. If, despite everything, you wish to return your package, we invite you to contact us by email so that we can give you the procedure to follow. Depending on the reasons for the return, the costs are the responsibility of the buyer.
We would like to point out that items purchased on sale cannot be returned or exchanged.
Exchange an order
You have received an order but it does not suit you 100% for one of the following reasons:
- Package received in duplicate
- Handle or steel material that does not suit you
- Design that doesn't suit you
You have the possibility to exchange your received package for an item of the same value. We invite you to contact us by email so that we can give you the procedure to follow to make your exchange. Depending on the reasons for the return, the costs are the responsibility of the buyer.
Kaitsuko Benefits
Guarantee
We are proud of our products and their quality. Our products are guaranteed for 2 years.* We invite you to consult all of our conditions.
We also offer a lifetime warranty extension for €24.99. This is available on our website. It is unique and applies to a single product at the time of your purchase.
Maintaining your knives
Our knives are very easy to maintain. In order to maintain their effectiveness, we invite you to clean them by hand as soon as you have finished using them, and to dry them with a microfiber cloth. The dishwasher is not recommended. Any washing of your knives in the dishwasher causes rapid deterioration of the blades due to their high carbon content, but especially of the wooden handles. It is also necessary to sharpen your knives as soon as you feel the need, in order to maintain their sharpness. Any damage caused by this cannot be taken into account in the warranty.
How long do knives stay sharp?
The sharpening time depends on how often you use your knives, as well as the foods you cut. Regardless of the blade, your knives will not be sharp for life. Indeed, when you feel difficulty when cutting and you notice that the edge is less sharp, you can deduce that your knives need to be sharpened. To do this, you can use a sharpening steel or a whetstone to give them a second wind or a sharpener.