FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About Our Knives

What steel are your knives made from?
Our Tidal Series knives are built around a VG10 high-carbon Japanese steel core, wrapped in 67 hand-folded layers of Damascus steel. VG10 is the benchmark material used in professional kitchens worldwide — it delivers exceptional edge retention, corrosion resistance, and a hardness rating of HRC 62.

Our Majesty Series features laser-etched stainless steel, offering excellent sharpness and durability at a more accessible price point.

What is Damascus steel?
Damascus steel refers to a blade construction method where multiple layers of steel are folded and forge-welded together. The 67-layer Damascus wrap on our Tidal Series adds structural strength and produces the flowing grain pattern visible on each blade — this pattern is a result of the construction itself, not a surface treatment, so it won't fade or wear off.

What angle are the blades sharpened to?
All Tidal Series blades are precision-ground to a double-bevel 15° edge. This is sharper than the 20–25° edges standard on most Western knives, resulting in more effortless, precise cuts.

Are the handles food-safe?
Yes. All Tidal Series handles are made from pressure-stabilized burl wood resin and are NSF food-safe certified, meeting commercial and professional kitchen hygiene standards.

What knives come in each set?
Each 8-piece Tidal Series set includes: an 8-inch chef's knife, 7-inch santoku, 8-inch bread knife, 8-inch boning knife, 7-inch cleaver, 7-inch nakiri, 5-inch utility knife, and 3.5-inch paring knife. Every knife comes with an individual fitted sheath and the set arrives in a presentation box.

Ordering & Shipping

Do you offer free shipping?
Yes — every US order ships free, always. No minimum order required.

How long does shipping take?
Standard knife sets ship within 1–3 business days and arrive within 5–7 business days. Personalized engraved sets require approximately 14 business days total for production and shipping.

Do you ship internationally?
We currently ship within the United States only.

Can I change my order after placing it?
Email info@theepicureanchef.com as soon as possible. If your order hasn't shipped yet, we can make changes. Once shipped, we're unable to modify orders.

Personalized Engraving

What can I engrave on my knife set?
You can engrave a name, date, short message, or monogram on select sets. During checkout, you'll be prompted to enter your engraving text.

How long does engraving take?
Please allow approximately 14 business days for engraved orders from the time of purchase to delivery.

Can I return an engraved set?
Engraved sets are custom-made to order and are final sale. If your set arrives damaged, email us within 7 days and we'll send a replacement.

Care & Maintenance

How should I care for my Damascus knives?
Hand wash only with warm water and mild soap. Never put Damascus knives in the dishwasher — the heat and detergent will damage the blade and handle. Dry immediately after washing. Store in the individual fitted sheaths or on a magnetic knife strip.

How do I sharpen my knives?
We recommend using a whetstone for sharpening. Hone regularly with a honing rod to maintain the edge between sharpening's. Avoid pull-through sharpeners — they remove too much material and can damage the 15° edge.

Still have a question? Email us at info@theepicureanchef.com and we'll get back to you within 1 business day.