KAI | Knives from Japan

The brand KAI from Japan has a legendary reputation and sets new standards in terms of quality, design, and handling. Traditional forging techniques meet innovative manufacturing methods and are combined with state-of-the-art materials. New steel alloys and the combination of different types of steel make it possible for KAI knives to get the most out of the blade material.

Since 1908, the Japanese company KAI has been producing knives and cutting tools that are known for their excellent functionality, sharpness, and durability. The KAI brand aims to meet the highest quality standards and produce the best knives for daily use. This perfection combined with high quality is the result of a centuries-old culture and follows the legacy of Japanese samurai swordsmithing. KAI was founded over 115 years ago as a family business in Seki, Japan. Today, the brand has become an internationally active company based in Tokyo.

At Butch, you will find a large selection of collections from the KAI brand, to name just two:

SHUN PRO SHO | These knives with elegant design skillfully combine classic Japanese design language with modern components.
SHUN PREMIER TIM MÄLZER | The Shun Premier Tim Mälzer series was tailored to the requirements and needs of professional chefs.

KAI has not only made a more than deserved name for itself in the field of kitchen knives. The label's product range also includes knife blocks, cooking tools, and kitchen helpers. The KAI "Select 100" series deserves a special mention. The ingenious peelers of the collection are unmatched.

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The Assortment

There are no pots and pans, but the topic of knives, blades, and accessories is fully covered. KAI offers knives in different qualities, wooden knife blocks with magnets or slots, cutting boards, graters, and peelers. The knives and kitchen utensils are made in Japan. For the wooden knife blocks and cutting boards, KAI Europe has partnered with a European partner. Oak and walnut wood are not necessarily a preferred and readily available material in Japan. Not all KAI products from Japan are available in Europe, as each continent has its own demands and preferences. However, with the improved trade relations between the EU and Japan, we are enjoying an ever-increasing range of products.

The Knife Series

Wasabi Black

12 blade shapes made of 6A/1K6 stainless steel with black PPR plastic handle, 58 HRC (±1)

Seki Magoroku Red Wood

12 blade shapes made of Carbon 1K6 stainless steel with Pakkawood handle, 58 HRC (±1)

Seki Magoroku Shoso

10 blade shapes made of Carbon 1K6 stainless steel with 18/8 stainless steel handle, 58 HRC (±1)

Tim Mälzer Kamagata

7 blade shapes made of 4116 stainless steel with POM plastic handle, 58 HRC (±1)

Seki Magoroku Composite

8 blade shapes made of VG-MAX steel and SUS420J2 steel spine with light Pakkawood handle, 61 HRC (±1)

Shun Classic

35 blade shapes made of 32-layer Damascus steel with VG-MAX core and dark Pakkawood handle, 61 HRC (±1)

Shun Classic White

An extension of the Shun Classic series, 8 blade shapes made of 32-layer Damascus steel with VG-MAX core and light Pakkawood handle, 61 HRC (±1)

Shun Premier Tim Mälzer

12 blade shapes made of 32-layer Damascus steel with VG-MAX core and dark Pakka wood handle, 61 HRC (±1)

Shun Premier Tim Mälzer Minamo

3 blade shapes made of 32-layer Damascus steel with VG-MAX core and black Pakka wood handle, 61 HRC (±1)

Shun Nagare

6 blade shapes made of 72-layer Damascus steel (VG-2 & VG-10 steel) with gray-black mottled Pakka wood handle, 61 HRC (±1)

Shun Engetsu

3 blade shapes made of 71 alternating layers of VG-2 & VG-10 steel with royal blue-black Pakka wood handle, 61 HRC (±1), limited

Shun Seki Magaoroku Kinju & Hekiju

9 purely Japanese blade shapes made of High Carbon stainless steel including left-handed models, 58 HRC (±1)

Shun Pro Sho

5 purely Japanese blade shapes made of VG 10 steel with dark Pakka wood handle, 60 HRC (±1)

Sharpening Accessories, Knife Blocks and Cutting Boards

Even the sharpest knives should, must be sharpened. Logically, KAI also offers tools for this. Ceramic-bound grinding stones in different grits, diamond & ceramic sharpeners, a leather strop and sharpening aids for the correct angle can be found at KAI Sharpening Accessories.

Beautiful and sharp knives need safe storage! All items on the subject of optimal knife storage such as knife blocks, knife bags and blade protection covers can be found at KAI Knife Blocks. The knife blocks made of various woods are not only a safe and practical storage for your knives, they also look really sharp.

Wrong pads damage your knives. So definitely keep your fingers off glass or stone slabs as a cutting base. Plastic is just about okay, if it's not too hard. Optimal for the blades are wooden cutting boards. They are good for the blades and honestly also the most beautiful. With proper care, wooden cutting boards last a very long time and are also at least as hygienic as plastic boards. Just in case this topic gives you a headache. The KAI Cutting Boards are made in Europe by an absolute expert for cutting boards. The Hinoki boards are Made in Japan.

Kitchen Helpers & Graters

KAI kitchen helpers = extremely sharp blades. Peelers, a mandoline and various graters are offered in the KAI Select 100 series. Purely visually, the peelers are top, but they may not suggest good handling. We have to contradict this, because when used, they impressively prove that the shape has been designed with a lot of thought and with a view to optimal ergonomics.

In addition, you will find graters with Japanese blade shapes, which fully bring out the flavors of the food when grating. The KAI Pure Komanchi graters, for example, include three graters in different grains. Whether peeler, mandoline or grater, the immense expertise of KAI in terms of blades is also found in these products.

Not to forget are the mortar and the two citrus presses made of hard porcelain. Also a prime example of the great quality and thoughtful application.

Special Series Michel Bras

A special feature are the knife series and the kitchen utensils that KAI have designed in collaboration with the French chef Michel Bras. Butch can only give top marks to the Michel Bras utensils and the Quotidien knife series. The aim was to set equally high standards for functionality, handling, haptics and quality. Goal achieved, otherwise a Michel Bras would hardly stand by his name for this series.

Butch Understatement

The knives of the Japanese KAI group cut excellently. We don't want to overuse the familiar image of samurai swords - but anyone who deals more closely with the Japanese mentality recognizes: good is not good enough. What the Japanese does, he does with absolute devotion, striving for perfect harmony and the pursuit of perfection. In the case of KAI cutting tools, this philosophy condenses into extraordinary exhibits.

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