FAQ - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OUR JAPANESE KITCHEN KNIVES

Damascus steel is composed of numerous layers that are forged together. It is also known as Damast, damascened steel, or folded steel.

Traditionally, the purpose of Damascus steel was to enhance the properties of a piece of raw steel. A piece of raw steel would be forged and elongated, then folded in half and reforged. By repeating this process multiple times, the steel would consist of several dozen layers.

This process had two main advantages:

• Defects and foreign materials present in the steel were distributed throughout the entire piece, helping to eliminate weak points. The crystalline structure of the steel was also refined by this forging process, allowing for the creation of swords and knives that were much less likely to break.
• During the manufacturing of Damascus steel, the steel is heated in a forge. The steel absorbs carbon from the flames, and by folding the steel over itself several times, the carbon becomes evenly distributed throughout the steel. Carbon hardens the steel.

We offer different collections made from a variety of materials.

For the blades, you can find the following materials:

• 7CR17 steel with laser sublimation (an original knife with additional laser engravings on the blade)
• 67-layer Damascus steel
• VG10 Damascus steel
• Stainless steel
• Hammered stainless steel

For the handles, the following materials are available:

• Resin
• Wood
• Ebony wood
• Rosewood
• Aerospace aluminum

These details are included in the description of each of our product listings.

It is important to note that each material has its own characteristics.

If you have any questions or specific requests, please don't hesitate to contact us so we can guide you in your purchase.

To meet the needs of everyone, we offer several collections. Some are more suited for personal use, while others are designed for professional use. Explore the details of each collection.

Our collections for amateurs:

• 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
• Our Special Knives

Each collection is thoroughly described in our product listings.

If you have any questions or specific requests, please don't hesitate to contact us so we can guide you in your purchase.

Our knives are crafted in our forge by professional artisans following Japanese tradition. Their expertise has been passed down through generations for decades. We met with them to discuss the manufacturing process and, most importantly, the quality we expected for our knives. We wanted three simple things:

• High-quality steel that provides a clean and precise cut. A very clear process is in place and strictly followed to offer you high-end steel knives.
• Handles made from noble materials that offer optimal grip and comfort.
• Well-balanced knives overall, providing perfect handling that makes everyday tasks easier.

The best technique for cutting with a Japanese knife is to use a slicing motion. This helps prevent the blade from dulling too quickly.

Before ordering your accessories, we recommend paying attention to all dimensions and materials used. Most of our accessories are standard to fit as many knives as possible.

You can pay for your order with the following credit cards: Visa, Visa Debit, Visa Electron, MasterCard, American Express.

We also accept payments via PayPal.

We also accept payments in cryptocurrencies.

We also accept payments with Apple Pay.

You can rest assured that ordering from Kaitsuko is completely secure. We use the latest encryption systems.

This means your personal data, such as your name, address, phone number, email, and banking information, are encrypted and cannot be intercepted.

Our payment processors are separate from our site, and we do not have access to your information.

Furthermore, your banking information will never be visible to anyone but you, and it will never be stored.

Our orders are processed every hour from Monday to Friday (excluding holidays). An order is shipped the same day if placed before 2 PM (excluding weekends and holidays).

Your order will be delivered within 5 to 10 business days.

Your tracking number will be sent to you by email as soon as your order is shipped. Deliveries are handled by our shipping partners. They are the only ones who can provide and manage delivery times. In case of delay, we encourage you to contact our partners directly using the dedicated numbers provided.

All our orders are continuously processed and shipped on the same day.

Shipping fees will be calculated at the time of checkout.

You can track your delivery in real time by clicking on this link: https://m.17track.net/en/track.

Enter your tracking number (received by email when your order was shipped) or your order number (received by email when your order was confirmed) along with the associated email address.

Orders are prepared almost instantly. The labels containing your details and addresses are printed immediately once your package is being prepared. Therefore, it is not possible to cancel an order once it has been confirmed.

We do our best to ensure you are satisfied with the packages you receive. However, if you wish to return your package, please contact us by email so we can provide you with the return procedure. Depending on the reason for the return, the costs may be borne by the buyer.

Please note that items purchased on sale cannot be returned or exchanged.

Please note that items purchased on sale cannot be returned or exchanged.

If you received an order that does not fully meet your expectations for any of the following reasons:

• Duplicate package received
• Handle or steel material does not suit you
• Design does not suit you

You have the option to exchange the received package for an item of equal value. Please contact us by email so we can provide you with the procedure for making your exchange. Depending on the reason for the exchange, the costs may be borne by the buyer.

We take pride in our products and their quality. Our products come with a 2-year warranty.* We invite you to review all our terms and conditions.

We also offer a lifetime warranty extension for £19.99. This option is available on our website and applies to a single product at the time of purchase.

Our knives are very easy to maintain. To ensure they remain effective, we recommend cleaning them by hand immediately after use and drying them with a microfiber cloth. Dishwashing is not recommended. Washing your knives in a dishwasher leads to rapid degradation of the blades due to their high carbon content, and especially the wooden handles. It is also necessary to sharpen your knives as soon as you feel the need to maintain their sharpness. Any damage caused by improper maintenance cannot be covered under the warranty.

The duration of sharpness depends on how frequently you use your knives and the types of food you cut. Regardless of the blade, your knives will not remain sharp forever. When you start noticing difficulty in cutting and see that the edge is not as clean, it is a sign that your knives need sharpening. You can use a honing rod, a whetstone, or a sharpener to restore their sharpness.