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Is the Katachi 10-piece knife set suitable for a beginner, or do you need experience?
keyboard_arrow_downThe Katachi set is designed precisely for people moving from ordinary knives to a real Japanese tool without taking on the demanding care of a pure high-carbon steel. Its 7Cr17 stainless steel resists moisture, forgives intensive daily use and needs no special precautions between two sharpenings. The ten pieces in the set cover every kitchen situation, from peeling to carving meat, making it a complete starting point for a first serious collection of Japanese knives.
Does the epoxy resin handle stand up to intensive use?
keyboard_arrow_downEpoxy resin is one of the most water-resistant handle materials found on kitchen knives. Unlike untreated natural wood, it does not swell, crack or react to the repeated moisture of wet hands. The 12 cm handle on the main Katachi models is cast directly onto the tang of the blade, guaranteeing a solid connection with no play developing over time. Care is limited to a simple rinse with water: unlike natural wood handles, no oiling or regular treatment is needed.
Are Maison Kireru knives made of real Damascus steel?
keyboard_arrow_downMaison Kireru knives are forged from genuine Damascus steel: each blade is made of real layers, hammered and forge-welded together, with the wavy pattern revealed by acid etching. It is neither a laser print nor a cosmetic finish. The Katachi range is the exception: its blades are made of 7Cr17 stainless steel, a robust, moisture-resistant alloy intended for everyday use with minimal care. The premium ranges are made of 67 layers of genuine Damascus around a VG10 steel core at 60±2 HRC, for noticeably longer edge retention over time.
What is 7Cr17 stainless steel and why is it suited to daily use?
keyboard_arrow_down7Cr17 is a stainless steel with a high chromium content (17%), which gives it excellent resistance to corrosion and kitchen humidity. Its hardness of 54±2 HRC on the Rockwell scale is well above the cheap steels used in mass-market knives, while remaining easier to resharpen than a specialised Japanese steel at 60 HRC and above. For someone who cooks five to seven times a week, it is the alloy with the best balance of edge retention, easy care and durability.
Can a Maison Kireru knife go in the dishwasher?
keyboard_arrow_downThe dishwasher is strictly off-limits for any quality Japanese knife, whatever the range. The combination of hot water, aggressive detergents and knocks against other utensils damages both the edge and the handle, even one made of epoxy resin. A quick rinse under lukewarm water and immediate drying with a clean cloth is all your blades need. This twenty-second habit after each use is the best way to keep a Japanese knife performing for years.
At what angle should a Japanese knife be sharpened on a whetstone?
keyboard_arrow_downThe sharpening angle is one of the most important factors in preserving the cutting quality of a Japanese blade. Katachi knives are ground at the factory to an angle of 15 to 20 degrees, compared with 20 to 25 degrees on most European knives. Keeping this angle when sharpening on a whetstone preserves the fine edge that Japanese knives are known for. For beginners, two coins placed under the spine of the blade give a rough visual reference of 15 degrees until the right feel develops.
Are the knives well protected in transit?
keyboard_arrow_downEvery knife is shipped with its edge protected, packed in a sturdy box designed to withstand transport.
What payment methods does Maison Kireru accept?
keyboard_arrow_downMaison Kireru accepts the main credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) as well as Apple Pay, Shop Pay and PayPal. All options are offered at checkout and shown according to your device and the apps linked to your account. Transactions are secured through a PCI-DSS certified infrastructure used by hundreds of thousands of shops worldwide. No card details are stored on Maison Kireru's servers: card information is handled entirely by the payment platform.
Do I need to be over 18 to order knives?
keyboard_arrow_downYes. Ordering on maisonkireru.co.uk is reserved for customers aged 18 or over. Under section 141A of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, it is an offence in the UK to sell a knife to anyone under 18, and this applies to all our products.
By placing an order you confirm that you are at least 18 years old and that the knives are for personal, culinary use only. The courier may ask for proof of age on delivery. Maison Kireru reserves the right to cancel any order where there is doubt about the customer's age.
Are Maison Kireru knives considered weapons?
keyboard_arrow_downKitchen knives are not classed as offensive weapons in the UK, and any adult may lawfully own and use them at home. The law does, however, restrict their sale to over-18s and, under section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, makes it an offence to carry a bladed article in a public place without good reason. If you need to transport your knives (a cookery class, a professional event), keep them in their original box or a suitable blade guard, out of reach.