FAQs

Do I have to be 18 to order?

Yes. Kitchen knives are age-restricted. Every knife order is delivered on an age-verified, signature-required service and the courier will ask for photo ID at the door. The parcel cannot be left in a safe place, with a neighbour or in a locker.

How much is delivery?

UK delivery is free on every order, with no minimum spend, and every parcel is tracked.

How long will my order take?

Orders are prepared and dispatched within 1–2 working days (Monday to Friday). Delivery then takes 5–7 working days, so allow 6–9 working days in total from order to delivery. We currently deliver to UK addresses only. Full detail in our Shipping policy.

Which knife should I start with?

A santoku or a gyuto covers most of what happens on a chopping board. Add a nakiri if you prep a lot of vegetables, a petty or paring knife for detail work, and a bread knife for anything with a crust.

What is the difference between your four ranges?

Hinoki — VG10 Damascus, pale wooden handles, matching scabbards. Kiri — forged kurouchi AUS10 steel, octagonal rosewood handles. Nami — Damascus blades with abalone handles. Special Collection — the pieces that don’t fit one family: knives and complete sets with coloured resin, G-10, ebony or octagonal handles, plus the full-tang Kuro cleaver.

Are your sets sold as complete sets?

Yes. Each set is sold complete, with exactly the knives listed on its product page. The knives in a set cannot be bought separately from that set.

Can I put them in the dishwasher?

No. Hand wash in warm water, dry immediately, and never leave a blade soaking. The dishwasher dulls the edge and damages the handle.

Can I cut bone or frozen food?

No. Our blades are ground fine for clean cutting, not for impact. Bone, frozen food, and glass or stone boards will chip the edge.

How often should I sharpen?

Hone between uses to keep the edge aligned, and sharpen on a whetstone every few months depending on how much you cook. Avoid pull-through sharpeners.

Will my knife look exactly like the photo?

Close, but not identical. Damascus patterning, hammered finishes, resin and abalone handles and wood grain all vary from piece to piece.

What is your returns policy?

30 days from delivery on unused knives: you may unpack a knife to inspect it, but it must come back unused, complete and in its original packaging. This sits alongside your statutory 14-day right to cancel. See our Refund policy.

Do you supply restaurants?

Yes. Email contact@kurocho.com for trade and hospitality pricing.