When you’re short on time, chopping veggies might be a time-consuming task. Preparing a meal after a hard day at work can be a chore, but a Nakiri knife can make it easier. These knives are useful for making cooking more fun because they do an excellent job of cutting or chopping vegetables. Of course, cutting with a regular knife is efficient, but a decent Nakiri knife distinguishes between chef-like meals and your dinners. This knife cut through without tugging or pushing to achieve precision in chopped veggies.
Also, if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, the Nakiri knife is one of the handiest tools you may have. The term “Nakiri” is made up of two parts: “Na,” which means “leaf,” and “Kiri,” which means “cutting.” This compact knife is one of Japan’s oldest and is a favorite in most Japanese kitchens.
The knife, like its Chinese counterpart, is particularly effective for chopping, slicing, dicing, and mincing vegetables and fruits. When you examine the shape, you can see how effortlessly your fingers will fit around the handle, and you won’t have to worry about your knuckles being busted on the cutting board. The best Nakiri knives are also noted for being excellent at julienning vegetables. Here are some recommendations and reviews to aid you in your search for the best Nakiri knife for your kitchen.
Advantages of using Nakiri Knife than others
The majority of chefs and cooks wonder why they should invest in a Nakiri when they can still slice vegetables with a regular kitchen knife. But once you’ve used a Nakiri and seen how impressive and exciting it is, you won’t want to use any other vegetable blade.
This blade’s greatest advantage is that it resembles a cleaver. The tip and cutting edge of the blade are flat. Instead of sawing or rocking like when using a regular kitchen knife, you can chop fruits and vegetables in a straight line. As a result, your cuts will be neat and smooth.
Food pieces do not stick to the blade or cutting edge of the Nakiri. Hollow-ground knives release vegetable and fruit pieces after cutting through. Vegetable and fruit pieces are more likely to get stuck on ordinary blades, which have solid blades. A smooth and clean-cut becomes impossible as a result of this condition
When compared to most other kitchen knives, Nakiri knives are remarkably light. When making precise and accurate cuts, the blade can be easily controlled. Additionally, they don’t wear out the hands or cause the wrists to fatigue. Salads and vegetable strips are therefore easily made with the blade.
They are also expertly crafted and finished, giving them a striking appearance. Aesthetically, they enhance your kitchen’s décor and appearance. You don’t have to sharpen them after every few uses because of their impressive edge retention. Most Nakiris can also be sharpened by hand, so you won’t have to pay for professional blade sharpening.
What advantages does the Nakiri knife offer?
- Clean Cuts
It is important to follow a specific pattern when using a Nakiri knife. You should only move the blade in an up-down motion when using it. Pushing or pulling it horizontally should be avoided. For precise and accurate control, keep a solid grip on the handle.
- Fluid Chopping
Unlike other types of knives, you don’t have to rock the blade on a Nakiri knife when using it. A Nakiri knife with a straight edge will make straight, clean cuts. You can cut almost any vegetable with a chopping motion.
- Even Slices
The Nakiri’s blade is flatter, allowing it to thinly slice even a sheet of paper. This is the knife you want to have on hand if you are using thin ribbons of vegetables.
- Good for finely-strained vegetables
An expertly crafted Nakiri knife excels at preparing delicate vegetables, removing their stems without crushing or damaging the vegetable.
- Blade length
Overall blade length is typically about five to seven inches long and is ideal for almost any type of vegetable.
Our Top Picks
1. Editor’s Choice: Cutlery Classic 6.5” Nakiri Knife by Shun
“This Shun Cutlery Classic 6.5″ knife features a super-fine double-bevel blade, as well as a secure handle to help make your slicing more effective. It is loaded with various functionalities that make it a wise investment.”
2. Nakiri Vegetable Knife by DALSTRONG
“Vegetable slicing will be a pleasure with the DALSTRONG Nakiri Vegetable Knife thanks to its unique design and impressive performance. The premium design is intended to make it last longer than other models in its class.”
3. Classic Hollow Edge Nakiri Knife by Wusthof
“The Wusthof Classic vegetable knife has an extra length blade and an ergonomic handle design which make it the best Nakiri vegetable knife ever! Although somewhat expensive, we can say that your money won’t be squandered.”
4. Best Budget: Nakiri Vegetable Cleaver by TUO
“The slicing knife of TUO Osprey has durable characteristics for an affordable price. The ergonomic handle gives added safety while slicing vegetables and meats, while the stainless steel blade provides smooth slices.”
5. VG-10 Hammered Nakiri Vegetable Knife by Yoshihiro
“The durability of the Yoshihiro VG-10 Damascus knife, its performance, sharpness, safety, and usability leads to a magnificent knife of vegetables. It can smoothly cut vegetables without ruggedness in a single stroke.”
Best Nakiri Knife Review
1. Editor’s Choice: Cutlery Classic 6.5” Nakiri Knife by Shun
Key Features:
- Color: Silver/Black
- Brand: Shun
- Handle Material: Ebony color PakkaWood
- Blade Material: VG-MAX Steel
- Blade Edge: Plain
Shun Classics represent the pinnacle of traditional Japanese knife style, with sharper edges and greater control, rather than the heaviness of Western knives. All of Shun’s Classic line is terrific, but their Nakiri adds the perfect finishing touch. With its lightweight and multi-purpose nature, this 6.5” vegetable knife can easily replace a wide range of Western cutlery.
Shun Nakiri knives allow you to quickly chop, dice, and slice fruits and vegetables into precise portions. The blades are made of VG-10 stainless steel, which has the advantage of making the blades less brittle and harder to break than competing Nakiri knives. Additionally, steel knives are also much more malleable than standard knives. A Rockwell hardness rating of 60-61 is found on it, along with a double 8-degree bevel (two-sided 16 degrees).
The Shun sports the well-known flowing Damascus pattern of Damascus steel built up with 33 layers of SUS410 high-carbon stainless steel. The design incorporates an offset stainless-steel bolster to provide greater safety and a more comfortable grip. D-shaped handle prevents the knife from twisting and allows for a secure grip while helping to maintain balance. Additionally, the wooden handles in the form of hardwood veneers are fused to give the tool a warm and traditional look, while also providing the strength and durability of plastic.
2. Nakiri Vegetable Knife by DALSTRONG
Key Features:
- Brand: Dalstrong
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Blade Material: Titanium
- Dimensions: 11.18 x 2.32 x 0.09 inches
- Handle Material: Pakkawood
- Blade Edge: Hollow
DALSTRONG is an innovative design and renovation brand that boosts kitchen design. If you’re looking for a knife that’s perfect in every way and has a great design, DALSTRONG is the place to go! This knife’s blade materials and performance are both astounding! This Nakiri knife has great advantages such as stylishness, balance, sharpness, and outstanding performance.
Its futuristic design should be admired before cutting. Titanium Nitride, a non-reflective coating, gives this knife a sleek, aggressive appearance, as well as increased durability and corrosion resistance. A protective sheath in the same color is also included for easy storage.
This knife is exceptionally sharp, created by experts, to make a chopping experience pleasant. The blade consists of chilled nitrogen to maintain its corrosion resistance for optimal hardness.
This blade is designed to reduce push and pull, exactly because it has strength, durability, and retention of the edge. Moreover, the knife seems lovely as the blade has a hand-polished back and an ergonomically shaped bolster.
This Nakiri, made with expertise to fit in your hand to provide good control, is one of the most select knives to make the grip easier. With a separate mosaic pin of copper and brass, the kitchen has a sumptuous touch, as the knife looks magnificent on the desk. Moreover, it is built of 58+ Rockwell hardness high carbon material, which has a rich Spanish black Pakkawood handle to add a look.
3. Classic Hollow Edge Nakiri Knife by Wusthof
Key Features:
- Color: Black, Stainless Steel
- Brand: Wusthof
- Handle Material: Polypropylene
- Blade Material: Stainless Steel
- Weight: 6.38 Ounces
- Dimensions: 9.1 x 1.8 x 1 inches
- Blade Edge: Hollow
Wusthof has a special place among all kitchen cutlery brands due to its excellent and superiority in the manufacture of products. Classic Hollow Edge Nakiri is one of the most popular products of Wusthof’s Classic series and features the latest German technology, which can even provide good money for the best of the Japanese knives. Its design makes it easy for both amateurs and professionals to use, with a thinner blade than most traditional cleavers and a long 10-degree straight edge. This is not even the most important part, as the hollow edge is equally spaced so that no sticky or starchy food will stick with the blade.
Wusthof’s high-quality materials, performance, and longevity are a powerhouse. Precision Edge Technology allows it to retain twice the edge and to have up to 20 percent sharper than previous models. These characteristics are not limited to this Nakiri but extend to all knives of Wusthof as well.
The Classic 7″ Nakiri knife is fashioned out of the Rockwell scale with High Carbon Stainless Steel and HRC 58. The handle could look ordinary, but everyone doesn’t care if they buy a knife. It functions, is comfortable to grip, and has three rivets, exactly what you want in a functional knife, from the full tang for stability.
This vegetable Nakiri knife is so highly rated and loved by its users. It’s super easy to cut and cut, sharp from the box, and very durable. Wusthof doesn’t give the knife a sheath, so make sure you buy it. This is also a solid choice to supplement your collection of kitchen tools.
4. Best Budget: Nakiri Vegetable Cleaver by TUO
Key Features:
- Color: Osprey
- Blade Edge: Plain
- Brand: TUO
- Handle Material: Pakkawood
- Blade Material: Stainless Steel
- Weight: 8.16 Ounces
- Dimensions: 11.34 x 0.09 x 2.04 inches
We’ve still got you covered if you think you’ll be alright with a cheap knife. The TUO Vegetable Nakiri knife costs many times fewer than some other products, but it is pretty awesome for the money. It uses stainless steel German X50CrMov15, which is one of the best core materials you can find and makes the sheet easy to maintain. The knife has a complete tang construction that has impressed us with one of the first things.
The complete design of the handle is impressive. It has a smooth finish and an attractive appearance, thanks to the work of skilled artisans. The knife’s handle is larger because it was designed specifically for restaurant chefs. As a result, it’s a perfect fit for men’s hands
In the same way as traditional Japanese knives, this cleaver’s handle is made of Pakkawood. In addition, it has a round shape and a firm grip for cutting vegetables and meat.
It looks great, balanced, and easy to clean. TUO also offers lifetime guarantees for all its cutlery products, which is surprising because of the prices. Unless you’re upset by the fact that it’s made in China it’s the best Nakiri knife on a budget.
Due to its thick blade, it lacks some elegance. In addition, the Pakkawood handle has a slightly rough texture, and it lacks the smooth finish of the other award-winning knives in our review. It is, however, a good choice for a beginner’s Nakiri.
5. VG-10 Hammered Nakiri Vegetable Knife by Yoshihiro
Key Features:
- Color: Mahogany Wood Handle
- Brand: Yoshihiro
- Handle Material: Wood
- Blade Material: Steel, stainless steel
- Weight: 6.56 Ounces
- Dimensions: 11.75 x 0.06 x 1.75 inches
There are several useful features in the Yoshihiro VG-10 Nakiri Vegetable Knife. The stainless steel blade of this Japanese knife facilitates your daily work in the kitchen. The flat edge and robust blade make the best cuts while cutting plants. The flatters of the blades allow you to meet the knife throughout the cutting board. You are going to slice vegetables in one stroke.
The blade has also been designed to remove the imperfect cuts from new cooks and to ensure a particularly smooth finish. The 16 layers of hammered stainless steel Damascus offer a smart look and performance.
The straightening and even edges of this particular Nakiri are reminiscent of the best traditional Japanese cuttings. Yoshihiro does not propose to use the knife on such things as bones, nutshells, and frozen food. This 6.5″ Nakiri is ideal for the chopping of veggies for salads, soups, or food while tools are specialized for these purposes. Because of the prevalence of the brand and the traditional opulence, you might even think of adding other Yoshihiro knives.
This Yoshiro knife is a traditional Japanese vegetable knife made in Japan, but it feels very good at the West handle. Nothing is more upsetting than having to clean annoying flakes; well, the VG-10 and Damascus Steel are stainproof and will not form rust when left wet for longer periods. The best thing about these knives is that you can afford to add one to your kitchen arsenal.
6. Wasabi Black Nakiri Knife by Kai
Key Features:
- Color: Silver, Black
- Brand: Kai
- Handle Material: Polypropylene
- Blade Material: High Carbon Stainless Steel
- Blade Edge: Plain
This wasabi black Nakiri knife from Kai’s home can be a perfect choice for buyers who like cost-effective knives with the most cook-like knife features. Would you like a quality product? Go to Kai, because this product can thoroughly and quickly chop vegetables.
Kai can be considered the best product to get a perfect Nakiri knife. Made from Daido 1K6 high-grade carbon steel, it has an extraordinarily designed blade, which looks clever in your kitchen. This Nakiri knife is good news, designed for ambideXtrous use, for all of our left-hand readers. The blade is made of high carbon steel Daido 1K6, which enables you to work quickly on all your vegetables. The premium material also allows for improved edge retention and resistance to corrosion.
The knife comes out of the box with great sharpness, but you must regularly sharpen/hone to ensure optimum performance throughout the line. To do so, you must first know how to identify instances that need to be refined instead of sharpened. Because it is not safe for the dishwasher, you will have to clean your hands. Finally, if you’re a new chef, it may not be meaningful to spend a lot of money on a high-end knife, and the Kai Wasabi 6.5″ is for you the best knife.
7. Nakiri Japanese Kitchen Knife by Kotobuki
Key Features:
- Color: Silver
- Brand: Kotobuki
- Blade Material: Stainless Steel
- Handle Material: Wood
- Dimensions: 11.25 x 1.88 x 0.88 inches
- Weight: 5.44 Ounces
This knife with its flatter cutting edge offers good, consistently chopped vegetables to make good food. This Nakiri Japanese knife has a very little upside curve at the tip, compared to a traditional western knife. The flattened edge can also be sharpened much more easily than traditional models. However, you will probably find this is a task you seldom have to do because it retains its edge very well.
The lovely Magnolia handle of this knife really distinguishes it from the people. However, the softwood needs regular oiling to keep it in good shape. This knife looks so clever that this fast and easy task is unlikely to be dealt with. While it’s not full, we found it good enough to make a cheap knife.
You may need to oil it regularly to stay in optimal condition. If you do not like the raw texture, you can easily sand it and give it a nice polyurethane cover. If you’re just looking for a cheap, one-for-all knife, Kotobuki appears to be a good option.
8. Mercer Culinary Genesis 7-Inch Nakiri Vegetable Knife
Key Features:
- Color: Silver
- Brand: Mercer Culinary
- Blade Material: High Carbon Steel
- Handle Material: Santoprene
- Blade Edge: Plain
Mercer Culinary has designed a wide assortment of kitchen knives to pick from. These cuffs are noted for their exceptional quality and include a range of interesting characteristics. They are meant to perform certain types of culinary work swiftly and easily.
This Mercer knife can withstand hot and cold temperatures, and will not break down at any cost. It is made of high-carbon German steel material and is resistant to rust and corrosion. This knife is definitely the best choice and also offers an optimal balance to ensure improved strength and durability.
The blade is fitted with a tapered ground edge to make it sharper and longer-lasting. This makes it very easy to use and maintain the edge of the blade. The knife is very well balanced, which makes it too easy to handle.
The Santoprene handle not only looks clever but is also ergonomically shaped. It allows you to grip well while cutting vegetables and a variety of other products. The handle is resistant to heat and moisture, so you can use it even if your hands are wet.
Experience lifetime warranty Washing the Nakiri knife in a dishwasher will reduce performance because of the hard detergents when you own it and do not forget. Wash carefully with your hand and store in the sharp edges of a cutlery block to avoid injury.
9. Japanese Vegetable Cleaver by Mac Knife
Key Features:
- Color: Silver
- Brand: Mac Knife
- Blade Material: Alloy Steel
- Handle Material: Pakkawood
- Blade Edge: Plain
The Japanese Vegetable Cleaver Mac Knife is an excellent choice for improving your food skills. This Japanese knife has a performance and blade-like no other! With a 2.5 mm blade, the knife can easily split into pieces vegetables, particularly onions, in seconds.
This knife has differentiated from traditional Japanese knives by introducing a molybdenum steel blade. Molybdenum provides the knife with extreme strength and can be cut through the meat.
You don’t have to worry about spending additional money on various knives. The Mac Knife Cleaver is easy to chop all vegetables and cut meat into pieces. This way, you get finely chopped veggies that improve the appearance of your salads!
The Mac Knife Vegetable Cleaver series in Japan is also known for its comfort. While the sturdy blade provides ultimate durability, the Pakkawood handle is ideally designed to provide comfort during cutting. Contrary to other knives, it can fit a female hand efficiently and makes cutting much easier!
10. Nakiri (Usuba) Vegetable Chef Knife
Key Features:
- Color: Silver
- Brand: Regalia
- Blade Material: Alloy Steel
- Construction Type: Forged
- Dimensions: 15.35 x 3.54 x 1.5 inches
- Weight: 1.01 Pounds
- Blade Edge: Plain
Regalia is very much honored for its high line of Carbon Damascus knives. Their 6″ Nakiri knife is made from premium Japanese AUS-10 steel with 66 layers of Damascus hammered steel. This gives it a beautiful wavy pattern while improving its resistance to corrosion and rust. The super steel AUS-10 is extremely durable and hardened with a cryogenic nitrogen cooling process, giving it a solid HRC rating of 62+. This vegetable Nakiri sports an army class G10 with a simple pinch grip and a rivet Rosetta that will surely improve your kitchen beauty.
It has a full tang and a flat and squared blade, making it perfect for pushing cuts and shifting stacks of vegetables. With an 8-12 degree angle, the blade has outstanding edge retention and arrives razor sharp out of the box. Its hammered finish greatly reduces friction, ensuring that vegetables do not stick to the surface. We enjoyed how well-balanced this knife is.
Best Nakiri Knife Buying Guide
You don’t see anything special about a Nakiri knife, do you? To be thorough, we have decided to go into detail to give you a better understanding of the characteristics of a Nakiri knife.
- Blade Material
The main thing to focus on when buying a knife is the blade material. While most people use stainless steel to make Nakiri knives, the amount of carbon in the steel determines the quality and longevity of the knives.
It is recommended that the best Nakiri knives are made from high carbon steel that requires little upkeep, is easy to sharpen, and holds an edge longer. With their blade made from a single solid piece of carbon steel, Nakiri knives hold their edge even when sharpened with electric knife sharpeners, retaining their sharpness without chipping.
- Durability
A good Nakiri knife will, of course, be chosen first. However, when you’ve found the perfect Nakiri knife, you will want it to last as long as possible. Most top-of-the-line models come with a lifetime guarantee. If you take care of it, your new knife will serve as a reliable and constant kitchen companion.
- Edge
You do not want to have to constantly sharpen your knife’s edge, but you also don’t want the knife’s edge to become dull. Your new knife should have a razor-sharp edge when you receive it. A useful blade should retain its sharpness for as long as possible.
- Bevel
When it comes to Nakiri knives, the majority are equipped with double-bevel blades, which have surfaces on both sides of the blade. On one side only, a single-bevel knife is exceptionally sharp, delicate, and thus easy to use. To start, double-beveled knives require honing on both sides, making them great for beginners.
For anyone new to the discussion about ‘single bevelled vs double bevelled knives,’ there is much more to it. To help make an informed decision, it is useful to know their major differences so that you can pick the right option to match your knowledge and experience.
- Versatility
Nakiri slicing knives offer great versatility thanks to the blade and handle. To easily slice vegetables, the blade should be long and sharp enough to cut them in one stroke.
Additional control over the amount of pressure placed on the handle is needed to prevent your knuckles from hitting the board. You must only use this method if you want consistent and uniform cuts.
- Performance
A Nakiri chef’s knife’s sharp, gentle cuts determine the knife’s performance. A lot of knives with low-quality blades are thick and rough, which makes vegetable cutting more difficult. We are grateful for the coverage that features the best-performing Japanese cleavers. High-quality materials are used to make the blades thin and long to provide paper-thin slices of vegetables.
- Handle
Despite the significance of price and material, the handle’s quality cannot be ignored. For complete comfort, the knife handle should be of premium quality. Try to find a handle that curves so that your hands can grip it comfortably. Nakiri knives vary considerably in their handle material and design.
Ergonomically shaped handles provide a comfortable and firm grip. Additionally, it should be comfortable for your dominant hand, as some have depressions on one side. When choosing between a wooden handle and non-slip and moisture-resistant treatment, always go with the latter.
- Price
When it comes to vegetable knives, there should be no exception. If you have a fixed amount of money to spend on a vegetable knife, you should set a budget for it. Selecting a quality knife can be more expensive than purchasing a low-quality one, and so you should keep this in mind when making your purchase.
- Blade Length
While it is essential to consider the length of the blade when shopping for the best Japanese vegetable knife, it is also important to think about other factors, such as handle materials and edge retention. For practical use, the ideal blade length should be at least 5 inches. For difficult tasks like chopping and slicing, shorter blades can make things difficult.
- Blade Finish
To prevent food from adhering to the blade, it is imperative to inspect the sharpness of the blade. Choosing a durable finish will ensure this won’t happen again. The fact that a hammered finish is applied to the Nakiri knife doesn’t allow food to adhere to the blade when it is being cut.
During the chopping process, it is also important to consider whether you want to enjoy the cutting process if you want to have a pleasant meal. Make sure you notice these important factors when purchasing a Nakiri knife.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Nakiri Knife?
The Nakiri knife is specifically made for vegetable cutting. The blades used in these cut vegetables are thin and easy to work with. By putting the Nakiri in a flat position, you can cut by simply moving the knife straight up and down. With a thin blade and sharp edge, vegetables are cut through with quick and accurate cuts that are perfectly uniform.
How to use Nakiri Knife?
It is important to follow a specific pattern when using a Nakiri knife. You should only move the blade in an up-down motion when using it. Pushing or pulling it horizontally should be avoided. For precise and accurate control, keep a solid grip on the handle.
Is It Only Good for Cutting Vegetables?
A Nakiri knife might technically be used to cut fruits or chop nuts. Minning thinly sliced meat or cubing it would also be easy to do with this tool Nakiri can be used for other tasks, but we strongly recommend using it for its intended purpose. If you have the right knife for each task you perform, your culinary preparation work will go much more smoothly. For the best results from your Nakiri, it’s best to stick with vegetables.
Are Nakiri knives worth it?
It is possible to cut long vegetables in one single cut using the Nakiri knives. They are excellent at chopping up tougher produce (squashes and dense root vegetables). The Nakiri knife, on the other hand, is specifically designed to perform this function.
How do you sharpen a Nakiri knife?
A Nakiri knife can be sharpened in several ways. Most people choose to hand-sharpen this blade with a sharpening steel rod or a whetstone. Clevers and Nakiris can be sharpened with an electric sharpener.
What is the difference between an Usuba Knife and a Nakiri Knife?
The Usuba knife is a similar-looking rectangular vegetable knife to the Nakiri, but its blade is thinner and less curved. The spine of the knife is thicker and the blade is thinner than the Usuba, and they are used for finely slicing very thin vegetables.
What is the difference between a Santoku Knife and a Nakiri Knife?
Santoku knives are most commonly used for vegetables, meat, and fish, while Nakiri knives are primarily used for vegetables. The Santoku knife is much more versatile, being used for more tasks.
Conclusion
The best Japanese knives are highly functional and portable, because of their durable characteristics. After a thorough examination of several cleavers, we finish the Shun Cutlery 6.5″ knife as the best Nakiri knife. The 68-layer stainless steel blade of Damascus offers smooth cuts like no other cloth.
The D-shaped handle also fits every hand perfectly and offers optimum grip. The blade of the knife has been cut to a raspberry-sharp edge, making it breeze and slicing. The edge is particularly thin, making it easy to remove the skin from meat and slices of vegetables. Since the blade is hand-hammered, it has less drag, so that food does not stick to the blade. While this was our favorite knife among all those examined, your preference could be different from your needs.
