AUS-10 Japanese Damascus Kiritsuke culinary blade - 8"

Full-tang eight-inch Katsura Kiritsuke Damascus culinary blade. Made with Japanese AUS-10 core and reinforced with 66 layers of Damascus steel, 60+ Rockwell hardness. Includes three sets of metal pins, mosaic centre pin and presentation box. 

8-inch Blade, 13.25-inch overall, NW 5.9 OZ, HRC 60+ hardness. The blade is crafted by folding 66 layers of Japanese Damascus steel over a Japanese AUS-10 steel cutting core with a 60+ Rockwell hardness. Santoku translates as the “3 virtues”, referring to the 3 types of cuts suited to this blade – slicing, dicing, and mincing. The 8-inch blade has a razor-sharp edge that makes it perfect for fine cuts. This is a knife-making project; you will not receive a finished knife. 

Making a knife handle in easy steps:

1. Trace the knife tang

Lay the knife tang (the unsharpened part of the knife that reaches into the handle) flat on one wood piece. Trace its outline. Repeat for the second piece.

2. Cut out the handle shape

Use a saw to cut just outside the traced lines on both pieces.

3. Mark inside and outside

Label the outside face of each handle piece (the visible side). Label the inside face (the side that touches the tang).

4. Sand the inside faces

Lightly sand the inside faces of both pieces for a better adhesive bond.

5. Mark and drill rivet holes (if using them)

Stick the two handle pieces together with double-sided tape. Place the tang on top and trace rivet hole positions. Drill using the right drill bit for your rivets:

·    Use a countersink bit for flat-head pins.

·    No countersink for mosaic pins.

6. Prep the knife tang and apply adhesive

Separate the handle pieces. Sand and clean the tang (use acetone if needed). Spread epoxy or glue on both sides of the knife tang and on the inside faces of your handle pieces.

7. Attach and clamp

Press the handle pieces onto the tang. Make sure inside/outside faces are correct and edges align with the tang profile. Clamp lightly and let the adhesive set.

8. Insert rivets (optional)

While clamping, insert rivets through the drilled holes. Tap in with a hammer or punches for a tight fit. Note: Mosaic pins don’t need pressing — just insert them in place.

9. Shape, sand and finish your handle

Now it's time to let your creativity shine! Shape and sand your handle to meet the edges of the knife hardware. This may take a while depending on how closely you cut your handle material to your traced lines - and how complex you decide to make your handle shape. Apply a finish of your choice.

Price per kit in Canadian dollars.