FAQ

Knives in stock leave Paris within 2 to 4 working days, packed flat in a rigid box. Allow then 2 to 4 days within France, 4 to 7 days within the EU. Free shipping from €180. For whetstones and accessories, dispatch within 24 hours.

Yes. Before every shipment, Côme re-sharpens the blade on Japanese stone (#3000 then #8000), checks the flatness and controls the angle (12 to 15° per side). You receive a knife ready to cut a tomato under its own weight.

Yes, and it is complimentary. At checkout, indicate up to three initials: we mark them by hand on a discreet part of the blade (handle ferrule or near the heel, depending on the model). Allow 2 extra days.

You have 14 days to return an unused piece in its original packaging, for a full refund. An engraved blade is a personalisation and cannot be taken back.

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Klarna (pay in 3 or 4 with no fees). All payments use a secure SSL protocol; your card details are never stored on our servers.

Aogami (blue paper) and Shirogami (white paper) are Japanese carbon steels. Exceptional sharpness, but reactive: they oxidise with acidic foods and need to be wiped dry immediately. VG-10 and SG2 are stainless steels: less extreme in sharpness, but require no special care. For a first Japanese knife, we often recommend a VG-10 Damascus.

Damascus refers to the multi-layer cladding (33 to 67 layers) wrapped around a high-carbon core. The wavy pattern is created by forge-welding alternating layers of soft and hard steel, then revealing the layers through polishing or etching. Beyond aesthetics, the cladding protects the core from chipping.

An Aogami at 62-64 HRC asks for a pass on a #3000 or #5000 stone roughly every 4 to 6 weeks for daily use, less often for occasional use. Our sharpening service is on the house for the first year — send us the knife by registered post.

The traditional Japanese (wa) handle is made of wood (magnolia, cedar, ho, burnt oak), with a ferrule in buffalo horn or pakkawood. It is friction-fit, without rivets. Light, balanced on the edge, it ages with the hand that uses it. Replaceable at the atelier.

Carbon steels like Aogami and Shirogami develop a patina — a thin oxidation layer that protects the steel from deeper corrosion. It is normal, even desirable: a blue-grey patina forms after a few weeks, becoming part of the blade's character. To slow it, wipe dry after every use and apply a touch of camellia oil weekly.

Wash by hand, dry immediately. Never in the dishwasher. For carbon steel, a touch of camellia oil (included with every blade) once a week. Cutting on wood or plastic boards only — never glass, marble or ceramic.

Soak the stone in water for 10 minutes. Hold the blade at 12 to 15 degrees per side. Pass over the stone with even pressure, alternating sides, until a fine burr forms. Finish on a higher-grit stone (#3000 then #5000 or #8000). Rinse, dry, oil. Or send the knife to us — we do it for free the first year.

Light surface rust is normal on carbon steel that hasn't been dried promptly. Rub gently with a cork dipped in baking soda or use a brass-bristle brush. For deeper marks, send the knife to the atelier: we polish it back on stone.

Yes — it is at the heart of the house. Chipped blade, split handle, loose ferrule: the atelier repairs. Free the first year, at cost thereafter. A Kashiku knife is not meant to end up in the bin.

A freshly sharpened Japanese blade falls at 12 to 15° per side — about half the angle of a Western knife. It glides through ingredients with very little pressure. Slow your cutting for the first few days, let the blade do the work, keep your fingers tucked. You'll quickly find your rhythm.

Every blade is guaranteed against any manufacturing or material defect. If a handle splits or a ferrule loosens in normal use, we repair or replace at no cost. The statutory 24-month conformity warranty under French law applies in addition.

Write to contact@kashiku.com with a photo and your order number. We will tell you how to ship the piece to the Saint-Maur atelier. Repair within 1 to 2 weeks depending on the season: free the first year, at cost thereafter.

No. A blade engraved with your initials is a personalisation: it can be neither taken back nor exchanged, unless there is a manufacturing defect. Unengraved, unused blades can be returned within 14 days in their original packaging.

Yes, on an unengraved, unused blade: within 14 days, for another model or steel. The new piece is then prepared at the atelier — allow 5 to 10 days for the replacement.