Iris Abalone Damascus Knives
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The Iris series brings together our 67-layer damascus knives with abalone shell handles. It is the widest Damascus Knife collection: chef knife, kiritsuke, santoku and petty santoku, nakiri, slicing knife, butcher knife, cleaver, bread knife, boning knife, small knives and a matching honing rod.
Iris · 4-Piece Damascus Knife Set
Iris · Honing Rod 8"
-25 %Iris · Damascus Paring Knife 3.5"
-23 %Iris · Damascus Utility Knife 6"
-23 %Iris · Damascus Boning Knife 6"
-23 %Iris · Damascus Bread Knife 8"
-26 %Iris · Damascus Cleaver 7.5"
-27 %Iris · Damascus Butcher Knife 9"
-23 %Iris · Damascus Slicing Knife 10"
-23 %Iris · Damascus Nakiri Knife 6.5"
-23 %Iris · Damascus Petty Santoku 5"
-23 %Iris · Damascus Santoku Knife 7"
-27 %Iris · Damascus Kiritsuke Knife 8"
-23 %Iris · Damascus Chef Knife 8"
Buying guide
Shell that changes with the light
Abalone is a sea shell whose nacre shifts from green to blue to violet as the light moves. Set in clear resin, it makes a smooth, waterproof handle, joined to the blade by a steel bolster and finished with a gold mosaic pin. Every shell is different, so no two handles match. The blade is 67-layer damascus steel with a 10Cr15CoMoV core hardened to 60 ± 2 HRC.
Building your set
A chef knife or kiritsuke and a paring knife cover the essentials. Add a santoku or nakiri for vegetables, a butcher or slicing knife for meat, then the matching honing rod to keep the edge. Our other series: Marea, Azur, Magma, Cobalt, Carmin and Cosmos.
Model comparison
| Model | Blade | Damascus steel | Handle | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iris · Damascus Chef Knife 8" | 8" (21 cm) | 67 layers | Abalone shell in resin, steel bolster, rivets and decorative mosaic pin | 8.5 oz (242 g) |
| Iris · Damascus Kiritsuke Knife 8" | 8" (21 cm) | 67 layers | Abalone shell in resin, steel bolster, rivets and decorative mosaic pin | 8.4 oz (238 g) |
| Iris · Damascus Santoku Knife 7" | 7" (18 cm) | 67 layers | Abalone shell in resin, steel bolster, rivets and decorative mosaic pin | 8.0 oz (228 g) |
| Iris · Damascus Petty Santoku 5" | 5" (13 cm) | 67 layers | Abalone shell in resin, steel bolster, rivets and decorative mosaic pin | 4.7 oz (134 g) |
| Iris · Damascus Nakiri Knife 6.5" | 6.5" (16 cm) | 67 layers | Abalone shell in resin, steel bolster, rivets and decorative mosaic pin | 8.4 oz (237 g) |
| Iris · Damascus Slicing Knife 10" | 10" (26 cm) | 67 layers | Abalone shell in resin, steel bolster, rivets and decorative mosaic pin | 7.8 oz (222 g) |
| Iris · Damascus Butcher Knife 9" | 9" (23 cm) | 67 layers | Abalone shell in resin, steel bolster, rivets and decorative mosaic pin | 8.1 oz (230 g) |
| Iris · Damascus Cleaver 7.5" | 7.5" (19 cm) | 67 layers | Abalone shell in resin, steel bolster, rivets and decorative mosaic pin | 10.4 oz (296 g) |
| Iris · Damascus Bread Knife 8" | 8" (21 cm) | 67 layers | Abalone shell in resin, steel bolster, rivets and decorative mosaic pin | 7.4 oz (209 g) |
| Iris · Damascus Boning Knife 6" | 6" (15 cm) | 67 layers | Abalone shell in resin, steel bolster, rivets and decorative mosaic pin | 3.9 oz (110 g) |
| Iris · Damascus Utility Knife 6" | 6" (15 cm) | 67 layers | Abalone shell in resin, steel bolster, rivets and decorative mosaic pin | 3.9 oz (111 g) |
| Iris · Damascus Paring Knife 3.5" | 3.5" (10 cm) | 67 layers | Abalone shell in resin, steel bolster, rivets and decorative mosaic pin | 3.5 oz (98 g) |
| Iris · Honing Rod 8" | 8" (20 cm) | - | Abalone shell in resin, steel bolster, rivets and decorative mosaic pin | 9.4 oz (266 g) |
Questions
Before you buy
Is the abalone handle fragile?
The resin protects it. Just avoid drops on tile floors, abrasive cleaners and the dishwasher.
Do the knives look exactly like the photos?
The blade and shape are identical. The pattern and colors of the shell change from piece to piece.
How many layers does the blade have?
67 layers of damascus steel around a 10Cr15CoMoV stainless steel core, hardened to 60 ± 2 HRC.
Do I need to oil my Damascus knife?
You only need to oil a Damascus knife regularly if the blade is carbon steel or the handle is unfinished wood. A thin coat of food-safe mineral oil or camellia oil protects against moisture. Stainless Damascus needs oil only now and then, for storage. Avoid WD-40 and cooking oils that turn sticky on a kitchen knife.
Can Damascus knives go in the dishwasher?
No, Damascus knives should never go in the dishwasher. Heat, long exposure to moisture and harsh detergents dull the pattern, encourage rust and damage the handle. The blade also knocks against dishes and loses its edge. Hand-washing with warm soapy water and drying immediately takes under a minute and keeps the knife in shape.
Can you sharpen a Damascus knife?
Yes, you can sharpen a Damascus knife like any kitchen knife, ideally on a whetstone. A medium grit around 1000 rebuilds the edge and a finer stone polishes it. Japanese-style blades are usually sharpened at a lower angle than Western knives. Skip pull-through sharpeners, which are too harsh for hard steel, and use a ceramic honing rod between sessions.
Which Japanese-style knife should I buy first?
The best first Japanese-style knife is a chef knife (gyuto) or a santoku. Both slice, dice and chop meat, fish and vegetables, so one blade covers most daily cooking. Pick a gyuto if you like a longer blade and rocking cuts, a santoku if you prefer a shorter, lighter knife. Add a nakiri later if you cook a lot of vegetables.