This is a single knife — one forged 9-inch raindrop Damascus chef knife built for professional slicing, portioning, and daily kitchen prep. The long, narrow blade handles large proteins and precise cuts with equal control. The stabilized wood handle and steel bolster keep it balanced and secure through extended kitchen sessions.

The Blade

The blade runs 9 inches and is forged from layered 1095 high-carbon steel and 15N20 nickel alloy. Looking at the image, the raindrop Damascus pattern is particularly pronounced on this blade — deep, circular formations that spread across the full blade surface from spine to edge in a bold, high-contrast arrangement. Each circular drop stretches slightly toward the tip, giving this blade a distinctive visual character that sets it apart from twisted or ladder pattern Damascus.

The raindrop pattern forms during the grinding and forging process. Circular depressions are cut across the stacked billet before the final forging pass. Hammering stretches those circles into teardrop shapes across the blade surface. Acid etching after forging deepens the contrast between light and dark layers, making the pattern sharp and visible from heel to tip.

Heat treatment brings the blade to 58–60 HRC. That range holds a sharp working edge through sustained daily use without becoming brittle under regular cutting load.

The long, narrow blade profile suits slicing and portioning tasks where a wider belly would create unnecessary drag. It pulls cleanly through large proteins, brisket, whole fish, and dense vegetables in long, controlled strokes.

The Handle

The image shows a stabilized wood handle with a rich, multi-toned surface — warm browns and darker grain variations running through the resin-saturated wood.

Stabilized wood is natural hardwood that has been vacuum-impregnated with resin under pressure, sealing the grain completely against moisture absorption. The result is a handle that holds its color, shape, and surface finish through years of daily kitchen use without warping, cracking, or swelling.

The handle shape is contoured for a comfortable grip in both pinch and full palm positions. The resin saturation gives the surface a smooth but non-slippery feel — secure in hand during wet prep without being abrasive.

Steel Bolster and Full Tang Construction

The steel bolster sits flush at the blade-to-handle junction. It adds forward balance weight at the grip point, reinforces the most stressed point on the knife, and acts as a natural finger guard during heavy cutting strokes. The fit between bolster and stabilized wood is tight — no gap, no movement.

This knife is full tang. The blade steel runs the complete length from tip to handle end, pinned through the stabilized wood for permanent structural integrity. Full tang eliminates blade flex at the junction and distributes weight evenly across the full knife length.

For a shorter daily prep option, the 8-inch Twisted Damascus Gyuto offers a wider belly profile for rocking cuts and versatile kitchen use. Browse the full Damascus Steel Kitchen Knife Collection to build a complete setup.

Specs at a Glance

• Sold as: Single knife
• Blade length: 9 inches
• Handle material: Stabilized wood
• Bolster: Steel
• Blade steel: Raindrop Damascus (1095 + 15N20)
• Construction: Full tang
• Hardness: 58–60 HRC
• Pattern: Raindrop Damascus
• Engraving: Available on request

FAQs

Is this knife suitable for both slicing and chopping tasks?

The long, narrow profile is optimized for slicing and portioning rather than heavy chopping. For chopping tasks, pairing this knife with a wider chef knife or cleaver from the collection gives better coverage.

Can this knife be sharpened at home?

Yes — use a whetstone at 15–20 degrees per side. Hone with a leather strop between sessions to keep the edge aligned and preserve the raindrop Damascus layer structure.

How should this knife be stored?

Use a magnetic strip, knife roll, or wooden block. Never store loose in a drawer as blade contact dulls the edge and risks chipping the raindrop Damascus surface pattern.