For the 2026 holiday season, we have brought together three Kagayaki Damascus knives for cooks who appreciate both the beauty of a carefully handcrafted blade and the work behind its cutting performance. A special set for your own kitchen, or a thoughtful gift for someone who loves to cook.
JCK Original KAGAYAKI “Master Black 5 Star Chef Set”
3-Piece Knife Set with Black Lacquered Wooden Sayas
KGR-1 Petty 150mm (5.9 inch)
YU-2 Santoku 175mm (6.8 inch)
YU-3 Gyuto 210mm (8.2 inch)
From preparing small ingredients and trimming fruit to chopping vegetables and slicing boneless meat and fish, these three knives give you a choice of blade sizes and shapes for everyday cooking. The nimble Petty handles the finer work, while the Santoku and Gyuto offer two different approaches to your main cutting tasks: a compact, tall blade or a longer, versatile chef’s knife.
Traditional Craftsmanship. Refined over Years. Beauty and Cutting Performance Together.
We have worked with the Kagayaki craftsmen for many years, and have long trusted their commitment to making good knives. These Damascus blades reflect their willingness to take on new challenges while staying true to the traditional methods they have valued and preserved for many years.
For us, the attraction goes well beyond the Damascus pattern. It is the combination of carefully selected steel, appropriate heat treatment, painstaking sharpening and attention to the smallest finishing details. Each knife is made to be appreciated both for its beauty and for the pleasure it brings to everyday cutting.
Led by Master Craftsman Mr. Gotou, the team works in collaboration with a skilled forge-smith who uses traditional hammer-forging techniques. An R-2 powdered high-speed tool steel core, heat-treated to approximately HRC 63, provides the cutting edge, while the surrounding nickel Damascus layers bring their distinctive patterns to the blade.
The Kagayaki craftsmen place particular importance on Mizu-to, careful sharpening with waterstones. The steel and heat treatment provide the foundation; the patient work of grinding, sharpening and finishing turns that foundation into a knife ready for the kitchen.
Black Damascus with Striking Nickel Highlights
Through years of research and refinement, the craftsmen have continued to develop their black Damascus finish. On the YU-2 Santoku and YU-3 Gyuto, bright nickel layers stand out against a matte-black background, giving the flowing patterns a striking contrast.
The KGR-1 Petty brings a natural silver tone to the set, its forged R-2 Damascus blade providing a beautiful contrast to the black Damascus Santoku and 210mm Gyuto. The silver and black finishes complement one another, giving the three-piece set a refined and distinctive appearance.
Linen Micarta Handles and Matching Black Sayas Three knives share the same practical foundation of R-2 steel and linen Micarta handles, while allowing you to enjoy the individual character of each blade.
The dark linen Micarta handles are chosen for more than their appearance. Strong, durable and comfortable to hold, they provide a secure grip and complement the Damascus blades. Stainless steel bolsters complete the handles.
Each knife comes with its own black lacquered wooden Saya. The matching dark finish brings the set together and provides a cover for each blade when it is not in use. Always clean and dry the knife thoroughly before putting it into its saya.
JCK Original KAGAYAKI “Master Black 5 Star Chef Set”
KGR-1 Petty 150mm (5.9 inch) US$280
A small, nimble knife for peeling, trimming and slicing fruit and vegetables, chopping herbs and preparing garnishes. Its compact size and relatively narrow blade make it easy to control for precise, detailed work. The forged R-2 Damascus blade has a natural silver tone that reveals the delicate beauty of its layered patterns.
YU-2 Santoku 175mm (6.8 inch) US$400
A compact all-purpose knife for vegetables, boneless meat and fish. The tall blade offers a useful shape for daily chopping and slicing, making this a natural choice when you prefer a shorter main kitchen knife. Its matte-black Damascus finish is highlighted by shining nickel-steel layers.
YU-3 Gyuto 210mm (8.2 inch) US$400
The versatile chef’s knife of the set. Its longer blade is useful for larger ingredients and longer slicing strokes, with a pointed tip for more detailed work. Choose it when you want extra reach for preparing vegetables, fruit, boneless meat or fish, while enjoying the same black Damascus character as the Santoku.
Current individual prices total: US$1080, including the three black lacquered wooden sayas.
Year 2026 Holiday Special Price: US$900
A JCK Selection for Those Who Appreciate Beauty and Craftsmanship
We recommend the Master Black 5 Star Chef Set to those who want more than an attractive Damascus design. These knives offer the character of traditional forging, the practical benefits of R-2 steel and the careful sharpening and finishing of a team whose work we have trusted for many years.
The name expresses our own appreciation of their work: knives with a strong visual character, made with care and intended to earn their place in your kitchen through regular use. We hope you will enjoy not only how they look, but how naturally they become part of preparing a good meal.
