B2B

Interesting facts about
KAI kitchen knives

A sharp and high-quality chef's knife is an indispensable tool for every passionate cook. To ensure that your chef's knife is always in top condition and maintains its cutting performance, regular and appropriate care is essential. In this chapter, we would like to tell you more about our high-quality chef's knives and give you information worth knowing about the materials used and the different types of knives. Dive with us into the world of chef's knives and learn what distinguishes a first-class chef's knife and why it is a valuable investment for every chef.

Japanese
Blade types

Santoku -

the three virtues/benefits

The Santoku is the traditional Japanese shape for a utility knife, comparable to the German chef's knife. The name 'three benefits' is derived from its versatility for cutting fish, meat and vegetables.

Usuba -

the vegetable cutter

The Usuba blade shape is a traditional Japanese vegetable knife, and it is therefore used primarily for this purpose. Despite its axe-like shape it is not suitable for chopping bones.

Yanagiba -

the willow leaf blade

The Yanagiba is a traditional Japanese slicing knife. Due to the slender, one-sided, hollow-ground and relatively long blade, the knife is particularly suitable for very thin cuts. The knife guarantees a skilful - and particularly clean, smooth cut. Such cuts are particularly important in the preparation of sushi. The length and shape of the blade allow for a long, pulling cutting movement.

Deba -

the protruding blade

The Deba is used in Japanese cuisine as a traditional axe. The sturdy, heavy knife has a strong, broad blade and a single cutting edge. The front part of the blade is used mainly for filleting fish. The rear part of the blade is stronger and is used, among other things, for cutting small chicken and fish bones.

Material

Damascus steel

is in its modern form an alloy consisting of multiple visible layers produced in combination with a core steel. The base material used for the production of modern Damascus steel derives from steels with various contents of accompanying elements. The combination of steel grades with contrasting properties allows the production of particularly hard and at the same time flexible steels.

HRC

refers to hardness tests according to Rockwell's C scale, employed for particularly hard materials. The Rockwell hardness value arises from the depth a testing object reaches whilst penetrating the test material (diamond, as the hardest material, serves as the value of reference with 100 HRC).

A(US)10 steel

60 (±1) HRC

is characterised by its high carbon content, which ensures significant hardness. This gives it a very sharp cutting capability. Additional elements lend the steel greater elasticity and toughness, improving its corrosion and wear resistance. This makes A(US)10 knives less prone to rust and require less frequent resharpening.

SUS420J2 steel

56 (±1) HRC

is a corrosion-resistant stainless steel with a high chromium content and an average carbon content.

6A/1K6 steel

57 (±1) HRC

is a newly developed steel. Blades fashioned from this material are especially resistant to corrosion due to their high chromium content. This is a very pure type of stainless steel. Its greater carbon content ensures a better edge holding ability.

8A steel

58 (±1) HRC

is a proven Japanese knife steel that offers a well-balanced combination of edge retention, corrosion resistance, and ease of re-sharpening. It is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a knife with versatile properties.

VG2 steel

58 (±1) HRC

is a Japanese steel distinguished by its high flexibility and resilience. Thanks to its high chromium content, this blade steel is particularly resistant to both wear and corrosion.

VG10 steel

61 (±1) HRC

is a classic Japanese high performance steel with excellent properties that have awarded it the moniker "gold steel". It is a stainless blade steel of the highest quality with a high carbon content. This allows it to be tempered particularly well in contrast to other stainless steels. Moreover, VG10 boasts a particularly good edge retention.

VG-MAX steel

61 (±1) HRC

is based on VG10 steel with further optimisations to its properties. Enriched with a higher chromium and vanadium content than VG10, it demonstrates improved edge retention and resistance to corrosion. A higher carbon content also makes it harder than other steel grades.

VG XEOS steel

60-62 (±1) HRC

This high-hardness stainless steel blade is an enhanced development of VG-MAX steel. It facilitates the creation of an even thinner cutting edge, which reduces cutting resistance and maintains sharpness for longer. Despite being produced without cobalt, VG XEOS achieves the same high hardness and corrosion resistance as VG-MAX. It thus offers outstanding cutting performance and high abrasion resistance.

Pakkawood

does not refer to a particular wood species, but rather the general term for impregnated layered wood veneers bonded using high quality resins to ensure the handle's stability and guarantee lasting durability in the face of moisture and organic material.

Care
Instructions

Cutting

We recommend that you cut on wooden or plastic chopping boards. Glass, stone, and granite are unsuitable as cutting surfaces, as they can cause permanent damage to the knives' delicate blades.

The blades are principally not suitable for cutting bones, including fish bones or frozen foods.

Cleaning

Rinse the knives in hot water before using them for the first time. After each use, make sure that the knives are washed without delay (with a mild detergen) and dried off with a soft cloth. Acidic foods in particular should be rinsed off immediately after use.

For your own safety, you should always wipe the knife away from your body and away from the cutting edge with a cloth or towel.

Knives do not belong in the dishwasher, under any circumstances. Always wash the knives by hand in order to protect the material and maintain long-lasting sharpness.

Storing

When storing the knives, make sure that the blade does not come into contact with other metallic objects. This way, common causes of damage and staining can be avoided.

The best way to store the knives is in a knife block, in a wooden drawer insert, on a wooden magnetic knife rack, or in the drawer with a blade guard or sheath.

Sharpening & Care

Ensure that all knives with natural wooden handles do not remain in water too long. Oil the handle from time to time with a little neutral vegetable or camellia oil.

It is also advisable to have the knives professionally resharpened from time to time to repair signs of wear on the cutting edge and to ensure lasting sharpness.

Due to the high degree of hardness of our knives, sharpening steels are completely unsuitable. From the traditional whetstone to a complete electric system, our range offers the right tool for each of our knives.

Wood care

Cutting Boards & Knife Blocks

Our collection of cutting boards and knife blocks is crafted exclusively from European wood species. We make sure that our raw materials are sourced from sustainable forestry. Besides first-class workmanship and a modern design, we consider this is an equally important aspect for the quality of your product. Kindly take note that wood is a ‘living’ material and that it will retain its natural properties, even after use.

Natural material

Natural contents of wood, such as tannic acid and tannin, help prevent the formation of germs caused by food residues. Nevertheless, you should carefully clean and dry your cutting board or knife block after each use. Dirt can be removed with a damp cloth, followed by wiping dry. For more stubborn residues, vigorous scrubbing under warm running water with a little dish soap is effective. Afterwards, rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry completely. Never put cutting boards or knife blocks in the dishwasher or soak them in water. Instead, allow them to air dry thoroughly. Store wooden items in a way that allows air to circulate around them from all sides to prevent warping. Avoid drying wood products near radiators or ovens, as overly dry air can cause the wood fibers to crack.

Knives should only be stored in or on the knife block when they are completely clean and thoroughly dried. Oiled surfaces—such as cutting boards, chopping blocks, or knife blocks—should be regularly re-oiled. Our blade care set with Japanese camellia oil is ideal for this purpose. You can use it not only to care for your wooden cutting boards and knife blocks, but also for your knives (handle and blade).

You will enjoy using our products for many years to come if you observe these care instructions.

Grinding Instructions

NEW EDGE
Sharpening device with leather Strop

SK-S1

For a fine, even resharpening, the NEW EDGE knife sharpener is equipped with high-quality, Japanese ceramic-bonded sharpening and polishing stones. In two coordinated steps, the blade is pre-sharpened and polished – the predefined angle and guiding mechanism ensure precise and controlled use at all times. The combination of sharpening stages corresponds to a 2000 grit in the first step and a 4000 grit in the second step, making it ideal for resharpening and polishing Japanese double‑bevel kitchen knives.

In the first step (Step 1 / white ceramic unit), the blade is ground. Pull the knife evenly through the sharpener about ten times. A special feature of NEW EDGE is that the blade can be moved back and forth – without applying pressure, using only the weight of the knife.

Then carefully check the sharpness of the edge – for example using a paper test or a cautious fingernail test.

In the second step (Step 2 / orange ceramic unit), the fine honing of the edge takes place. Again, pull the knife about ten times with only light pressure through the second guide back and forth to refine the sharpening pattern.

Pre-sharpening (Step 1)
Stropping the knife
Stropping the knife

The leather strop, infused with 9µm diamond particles, allows stropping and polishing of the edge. This helps maintain an extremely fine, razor-sharp edge. While the sharpening stones are mainly used for more significant wear, the strop leather is ideal for regular blade maintenance.

To strop on leather, pull the knife backwards at a slightly flatter angle (approx. 12–13°) in slow and controlled movements across the leather. Light pressure with about 5–10 strokes per side is sufficient.

It is recommended to replace the ceramic stones of the sharpener after sharpening around 500 knives to ensure consistent performance.

SHUN Diamond Sharpening Stones

Models: AP-0340, AP-0341, AP-0342, AP-0343

Place the sharpening stone on a dedicated holder or on a damp cloth to prevent slipping. The stone does not need to be soaked beforehand; however, it should be kept moist while sharpening. Sharpen the blades on the colored side of the stone.

The instructions apply to both double-bevel and single-bevel blades: Hold the knife as shown in Figure 1, keeping a consistent angle to the stone. As shown in Figure 2, position the knife so the angle between the blade edge and the stone is 45–60 degrees.

For double-bevel blades:
As shown in Figure 3, the distance between stone and spine should create an angle of approx. 15 degrees. Sharpen the knife by moving it along the full length of the stone back and forth with just enough pressure for your hand to rest lightly without pressing too hard. Once burrs appear on the opposite side of the edge (Figure 4), sharpen the other side the same way until burrs appear there as well.

For single-bevel blades: Sharpen the cutting edge on the front, convex side by placing the knife on the stone as shown in Figure 5. Then turn the knife over and sharpen the back by laying the entire backside flat on the stone, as in Figure 6. Then return to the convex side and place only the cutting edge on the stone. The edge angle to the stone should now be approx. 30–45 degrees to create a two‑stage bevel, which increases resistance to chipping.

For both double-bevel and single-bevel blades: Once burrs have formed across the entire cutting edge, spread an old newspaper or cloth on a flat surface and wipe both sides of the blade across it to remove the burrs. Alternatively, use a strop. If the surface of the sharpening stone has become uneven or clogged, or if sharpening performance declines, treat the stone surface with the included flattening stone. Wet both stones adequately.

Handling precautions

  • Use the sharpening stone only on stable surfaces and in a safe environment.
  • Markings on the stone surface will wear off during sharpening, but this does not affect quality.
  • The logo on the back may wear off from friction, but this is also harmless.
  • Do not resurface the stone with a leveling stone. If the stone becomes clogged and sharpening becomes difficult, use the included dressing stone.
  • This product is colored so the sharpening surface is easy to identify. Abrasive residue may transfer to objects or clothing and cause stains.
Care instructions
  • Rinse the stone with water after use to remove debris. Dry with a clean cloth and allow to dry thoroughly to prevent mold. Store away from direct sunlight.
  • Remove all dirt and moisture from knives before storing, as residue can cause rust.
  • The base (uncolored part) contains natural minerals that may cause uneven coloration. This does not affect quality.

Ceramic‑bonded Sharpening Stones

Models: AP-0304, AP-0305, AP-0316, AP-0331, AP-0332, AP-0333, AP-0334, DM-0400, DM-0708, WS-0800, WS-3000

Soak the sharpening stone in water until no air bubbles rise, and keep it wet while sharpening. Place the stone on a dedicated stand or damp cloth for stability.

Hold the knife as shown in Figure 1, maintaining a constant angle to the stone. As shown in Figure 2, position the blade so the angle between edge and stone is 45–60 degrees.

Double‑bevel blades: The angle between stone and blade should be approx. 15 degrees (Figure 3).  

Single‑bevel blades: Place the blade on the stone as in (Figure 4).  

Sharpen by moving the knife along the entire stone length back and forth with just enough pressure for your hand to rest lightly. When burrs form, sharpen the opposite side until burrs form there as well. For single‑bevel blades, the bevel angle is shown in Figure 5. Once burrs form on both sides, wipe the knife across newspaper to remove them.

For continued sharpening performance, use a flattening stone to flatten the surface.

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