Kasumi Damascus Knives

The Kasumi Damascus collection is the range that made the brand's name, and it remains one of the most recognisable Damascus knife series in the world. Made by Sumikama Cutlery in Seki, Japan, these are the knives Kasumi is famous for: a keen VG-10 cutting core wrapped in folded Damascus steel, so each blade is as striking to look at as it is sharp to use. Kasumi was among the first makers to fold Damascus around a VG-10 core, a technique many have since copied, and the range spans a genuinely wide set of shapes, from everyday chef's and santoku knives to nakiri, boning, slicing and traditional sashimi blades.

What defines the Damascus range is that combination of core and cladding. At the heart of every blade is VG-10, widely regarded as one of the finest stainless steels for knife making, hardened to around 59 to 60 HRC for a keen, long-lasting edge and good corrosion resistance. That core is folded within 32 layers of Damascus steel, which both protects it and creates the rippling, mist-like pattern that gives Kasumi its name (kasumi means mist or haze in Japanese). Finished with a natural laminated pakkawood handle and a full tang, the range pairs high cutting performance with a classic, handsome look that suits professional and home kitchens alike.