Guides

Know your knife.

Practical guides to Damascus steel kitchen knives — how they are made, how to choose between a Santoku and a chef’s knife, and how to keep yours sharp.

• The Craft

  What is Damascus steel?

  How modern Damascus steel kitchen knives are made, what the 67 layers actually do, and how to tell a genuine pattern-welded blade from an etched imitation.

• Buying Guide

  Santoku vs chef’s knife: which should you buy?

  Santoku or chef’s knife? A plain-English comparison of blade shape, cutting style and size to help you choose the one knife you’ll reach for every day.

• Care Guide

  How to care for and sharpen a Damascus knife

  Simple habits that keep a Damascus steel knife razor-sharp for years: washing, drying, storage, the right chopping board, honing and whetstone sharpening.