Chief Damascus Knife 8" | SHAN ZU Gyo

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*These regions are excluded: UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Africa, Middle East.

SHAN ZU kitchen knife sale all over the world.

*These regions are excluded: UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Africa, Middle East.

Delivery time depends on the destination. Usually it takes 3 -14 days. International shipping is available to most of the countries. If we can NOT ship to your location, we will contact you. In addition, we will notify you of your order by sending you an "Order Confirmation" and a "Shipping Notification" after you place your order.

Returns are accepted for 30 days from the delivery date according to our refund policy. Just email us directly and we’ll take you through the process.

SHANZU Official Email: shanzu@shanzuchef.com

To clean and maintain your knife, it's best to follow these steps:

First, clean the blade with warm water and dish soap. Be sure to rinse and dry the blade thoroughly to prevent rusting.

Next, use a honing steel to sharpen the blade. This will help keep the edge sharp and ensure the knife is in good working condition.

If the blade is heavily soiled or has stuck-on food, you can use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub it clean. Avoid using abrasive materials like steel wool, as these can damage the blade.

After cleaning and sharpening the blade, apply a thin layer of oil to the blade and handle. This will help prevent rust and keep the knife in good condition.

Finally, store the knife in a safe and dry place, away from heat and moisture. A knife block or knife drawer organizer is a good option, as it will keep the blade protected and prevent accidents.

To sharpen a knife, you'll need a SHANZU sharpening stone or a knife sharpener. To use a sharpening stone, first soak the stone in water for about 10 minutes. Then, lay the knife flat on the stone and angle the blade so that it forms a 10-15 degree angle with the stone. Using long, even strokes, move the blade across the stone in a backwards and forwards motion, making sure to maintain the angle of the blade. After a few strokes, move the blade to the other side of the stone and repeat the process. You'll want to sharpen the entire length of the blade, and you may need to repeat the process several times to get the desired level of sharpness.

What is the Damascus Steel?

The origin of the name "Damascus Steel" is contentious: two Islamic scholars Al-Kindi and Al-Biruni (from circa 800-873 CE) both wrote about swords and steels for swords based on the appearance, geographical location of where they were produced or forged, or the name of the blacksmith. And there is a mention from both scholars of 'damscene' or 'damascus' when describing the swords to some extent.

Drawing upon these references, there are three possible sources from where the term Damascus originates from in the context of steel:

Al-Kindi called swords forged in Damascus in Siberia as 'Damascene', but it is important to note that these swords were not described as having a wavy pattern appearance on the surface of the steel. Al-Biruni refers to a sword-smith called Damasqui who made swords of crucible steel. In Arabic, the word 'damas' means 'watered', and Damascus blades are often described as having a water-pattern on their surface.

The most common explanation is that steel is named after the capital city of Syria, Damascus, the largest of the cities in the ancient Levant. It may either refer to swords made or sold in Damascus directly, or it may just refer to the aspect of the typical patterns, by comparison with Damask fabrics which are also named for Damascus. 

What is the German Steel?

German knives are usually made with stainless steel, which has a Rockwell scale rating of 56-58. Stainless steel contains chromium. This is what lowers the Rockwell scale rating. The benefit is a knife blade that resists corrosion and rust.

Cooks generally agree that German-style, stainless steel knife blades are hardier than Japanese-style blades. There’s less concern about chipping or breaking the blade of a German-style knife. Its durability means you can use it for more cutting and chopping tasks.

The softer characteristic of the steel still provides a sharp edge, but stainless steel will require you to hone and sharpen it more often. The softer steel also makes the blade easier to sharpen the blade — even though a stainless steel blade means that a German knife will lose its sharp edge quicker than its Japanese counterpart, which is made of high-carbon steel.