The 8 Best Japanese Kitchen Knives to Buy in 2020
Thanks to the rich sword-making culture that dates back over 15 centuries, Japanese knives are among the best in the market. They feature unmatched craftsmanship keen not only on quality but design too. The best Japanese kitchen knives are favorites for many cooks, novices, and professionals alike.
What Makes Japanese Kitchen Knives Stand Out?
The best Japanese kitchen knives come with features that make them stand out from the rest. These include:
Beautiful finishing
Compared to European knives, Japanese knives come with exquisite designs that will attract you at first sight. This is why top Japanese knives brands are recommended for complementing your kitchen’s interior.
Quality
Over the years, the craftsmanship involved in the making of Japanese knives has improved. The evolution of techniques and skills has enabled the current Japanese knife makers to produce quality.
Extremely Sharp Blades
Japanese kitchen knives are known to retain their sharp edges for long. This means you will not have to worry about sharpening your knife anytime soon.
Durability
While German knives are known to serve cooks for ages, Japanese high carbon steel is also made for durability. It will withstand rust and corrosion better than most material used to make blades and maintain its reliability. However, these knives are known to chip easily since most have thin blades.
Comfortable handling
You will less likely hear people complain about the handles on the best Japanese kitchen knives as they do for German knives. For the latter, the handles are usually large and heavy, while the manufacturers of the former focused on ensuring comfortable handling and grip.
Best Japanese Kitchen Knives Reviews
Shun Classic Chef’s Knife
Shun is a prominent Japanese knife maker known for quality and beautiful designs, and this chef’s knife is not any different. It is a well-balanced knife ideal for both home cooks and professional chefs. The blade is made from coatings of the hard Damascus steel that withstands corrosion and rust to continue serving you for long.
Furthermore, the blade is designed to prevent food from sticking on it. You can get this knife with variable blade lengths from 6 inches to 10 inches. This means that you can comfortably use the knife even if you have a small hand. The handle is made from Pokka wood for a firm non-slipping grip.
Enso Chef’s Knife
This less-known Japanese knives brand offers a knife that competes with some of the established brands on the market. It comes with a finish almost the same as that of the Shun Classic chef’s knife safe for the three rivets on the handle for added safety and durability.
It is one of the best Japanese carbon steel knives that will retain its sharp edges for long; you won’t need to sharpen soon. The knife comes with a full tang construction meaning the weight between the blade and the handle balances off for more controlled use.
Miyabi Chef’s Knife
The third on the list is from a Japanese knife maker that has made a name in the market. This knife features impressive designs and reliability that you want to have in your kitchen. The core of the blade is made from high-carbon steel for strength and coated with Japanese steel layers. These provide resistance to corrosion and rust as well as ensure the durability of the knife.
You will love the simple handle design meant for comfort and grip. You don’t need the experience to use one, and this would make the best first Japanese knife for anyone who wants to try this type of knives. Like most Japanese knives, the Miyabi Chef’s knife has a thin blade for agility and precision when chopping, dicing, or slicing.
All-Win Houseware W Professional Damascus Chef’s Knife
With 67 layers of Damascus steel on the blade, you can be sure that this knife will serve you for ages without losing its razor-sharp edges. The craftsmanship involved in the making of this knife ensured its beautiful design without sacrificing its quality. This will make the best option for the seasoned cooks looking for precision in their chops and slices. Better yet, it is one of the best Japanese kitchen knives under $50!
Its ergonomic handle will help you have a firm grip and can be used by virtually all hand sizes. Full tang construction is perfect for ensuring the knife’s weight is balanced between the blade and the handle for controlled maneuverability. If you are looking for the best gift for mom or a friend’s birthday, this knife will make the best option since it comes with an elegant black gift box.
Zelite Infinity Santoku Knife
Zelite is another Japanese knife maker known among users to produce quality and reliable knives. This santoku knife offers versatility in the kitchen and will be your go-to knife for all the cutting tasks. In addition to a beautiful design, this knife features a full tang and bolster construction for durability, sturdiness, and the knife’s weight.
The rounded handle is riveted three times on the full tang for added security. The razor-sharp blade is made from premium Japanese steel to withstand corrosion and retain its edges. As if these are not impressive enough, the manufacturer guarantees 100% satisfaction or gets your money back. Whoa!
Shun Classic 6-Piece Knife Block Set
If you would rather have a set of the best Japanese knives, then Shun has what you need. With a slim construction, this block will fit in almost all kitchen counters, and will not eat any precious space in the cabinet. The set comes with a 7-inch Santoku knife, a 3.5-inch paring knife, an 8-inch chef’s knife, a pair of kitchen shears, and honing steel to keep your blades in shape.
The core of the blades is coated with stainless Damascus steel for strength and withstand corrosion and discoloration. The knives will retain their edges for long, but you can sharpen them when they fall below your standards. So, if separately collecting the different types of knives is too much hassle for you, then this reliable Japanese knife set is what you need.
Kessaku Santoku Knife
This is a member of the Samurai Series of Kessaku. The blades are made from high-carbon steel to not only withstand rust but also retain their sharp edges. The blade’s hollows prevent food from sticking on the blade, making it the perfect choice for slicing, dicing, and mincing tasks in the kitchen.
You will love the ergonomic handle on this knife that comes with a slight contour to fit in hand and offer grip. This comfort and its premier design will have you reaching to it whenever in the kitchen. Besides, it comes with a gift box for birthdays or a gift for mother’s day.
Yoshihiro Nakiri Vegetable Knife
This Yoshihiro Nakiri knife was made for chopping knives and will give you the perfect chops you are looking for. The blade is flat to allow for the entire length of the sharp edge to meet the board. This means that every stroke is a perfect stroke.
The knife is made from 16 layers of Damascus steel with a hammered finishing to make it ideal for chopping tasks. The handle on this knife is like what you will see in most European knives. It is made from mahogany, tri-riveted for safety, and shaped to fit in hand for grip and comfort.