Dune · Damascus Kiritsuke Knife 9", side view
Dune · Damascus Kiritsuke Knife 9", on white background
Dune · Damascus Kiritsuke Knife 9", in the kitchen (photo 2)
Dune · Damascus Kiritsuke Knife 9", in the kitchen (photo 3)
Dune · Damascus Kiritsuke Knife 9", in the kitchen (photo 4)
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DuneDamascus Kiritsuke Knife 9"

$119 $159 Free tracked shipping
Blade length
9" (23 cm)
Steel
67-layer damascus, S35VN-type powder steel core
Hardness
62 ± 2 HRC
Handle
Light pakkawood (resin-impregnated laminated wood), steel bolster and end cap, decorative mosaic pin

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8.2 oz: the 9-inch Dune kiritsuke is the heaviest knife in the series. That weight and length take a beef tenderloin or a whole salmon in one stroke, without sawing. It replaces a chef knife if you mostly cut with a pull stroke. 67-layer damascus blade with an S35VN-type powder steel core, 62 ± 2 HRC, light pakkawood handle with a mosaic pin.

The kiritsuke is a versatile Japanese-style knife with an angled tip, somewhere between a chef knife and a yanagiba. Its long, fairly flat blade slices meat and fish in a single stroke, and the angled tip handles precise work: fine chopping, scoring, skinning. You use it like a chef knife, with a straighter, cleaner cut. Japanese-style blade, thin and hard.

Blade and Handle

The Dune Damascus Kiritsuke Knife 9" has a blade made of 67 layers of damascus steel around an S35VN-type powder steel core, hardened to 62 ± 2 HRC and sharpened to 9-12° per side. Powder steels have a very fine, even structure, prized for edge retention. The fine, rippled damascus pattern differs on every blade. The handle is light pakkawood, a laminated wood impregnated with resin: it has the color of blond wood but handles moisture far better. A steel bolster and end cap frame it, with a decorative mosaic pin. It is the most complete series in the range: 14 knives.

Shipping and Returns

Damascus Knife ships free with tracking across the United States: 1 to 3 business days to prepare, then 8 to 14 business days in transit, import duties included. You have 30 days after delivery to return your order.

See also: Damascus Chef Knives · Dune S35VN Powder Steel Damascus Knives

In the kitchen

Our knives at work

the board after dinner
Magma · the board after dinner
watermelon on the terrace
Azur · watermelon on the terrace
salmon in a tiny kitchen
Marea · salmon in a tiny kitchen
the Christmas gift
Iris · the Christmas gift
steak at the campsite
Cobalt · steak at the campsite
a late-night tomato
Carmin · a late-night tomato
first cooking lesson
Cosmos · first cooking lesson

Our models in use (styled scenes).

Dune · Damascus Kiritsuke Knife 9", side view

Fig. 01 · Damascus Kiritsuke Knife 9"

Specs

The blade, by the numbers

Steel67-layer damascus, S35VN-type powder steel core
Layers67
Hardness62 ± 2 HRC
Blade length9" (23 cm)
Overall length14.9 in (37.9 cm)
Spine thickness2 mm
HandleLight pakkawood (resin-impregnated laminated wood), steel bolster and end cap, decorative mosaic pin
Weight8.2 oz (232 g)
EdgeDouble bevel
SKUCD-DU-KIRI23

Care

3 habits, years of sharp

01

Hand-wash it

Warm water, a drop of dish soap. Never the dishwasher.

02

Dry it right away

One towel, ten seconds. Never leave it in the sink.

03

Sharpen on a stone

1000 grit rebuilds the edge. Low, steady angle.

Questions

Before you buy

What is the difference between a kiritsuke and a chef knife?

A kiritsuke has a flatter blade and an angled tip. It cuts mostly with a push or pull stroke, while a chef knife rocks on the board. For fast herb chopping, a chef knife is still handier.

Is a kiritsuke good for beginners?

Yes, if you mostly slice rather than chop. The fine tip needs a little care: do not tap the board with the tip or pry against bones.

What is S35VN-type powder steel?

A steel made by powder metallurgy: its very fine, even structure is prized for edge retention. It forms the core of the blade, wrapped in 67 layers of damascus. Like any hard steel, it is best sharpened on a whetstone.

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.