10 Best Nakiri Knife 2023 – The Ultimate Guide
When it comes to chopping the veggies and rocking the green onions, nothing beats the Nakiri knife. Originally designed and used in Japan, this cutlery tool has become popular across the globe all thanks to its ability to excel at fast and delicate cutting tasks. We’re talking about chopping some onions, cutting fish meat and even chicken.
One of the main advantages of going the Nakiri way is that you don’t need to apply much effort to get the cuts done. The knife’s design makes it extremely easy to get the job done without creating unnecessary hand fatigue.
Some of the unique characteristics of this type of knife include:
- Straight blade edge
- Squared off tip
- Thin and generally lightweight design
With those facts in mind, let us proceed to examine some of the knife options that are available at your disposal and which one of them is the best for you.
Nakiri Knives: Comparison Chart
There are quite a few options for you to choose from. Here now is our run-down of some of the finest knives reviewed below.
1. Shun Premier 5.5-Inch Nakiri Knife Japanese, TDM0742
The Shun Premier 5.5-Inch Nakiri Knife, TDM0742 is a product of Shun, a renowned Japanese manufacturer. The knife is not only well-performing but also durable. It comes with a thin blade which makes it ideal for cutting salads and vegetables.
The knife features a length of 5.5 inches and weighs only 5.9 ounces which is slightly smaller than standard knives. It is best for kitchen cutting tasks requiring a smaller knife. On top of that, the knife is constructed from layered Damascus steel through a special Japanese knife-making process.
The knife is razor sharp with a thin edge for effectively cutting vegetables and fruits. For finishing it is hand-hammered, which is referred to as tsuchime in Japanese. Hand-hammered knives have less drag, which means that foods don’t stick on their blades.
Moreover, the pakkawood handle is constructed with ergonomics for a secure and comfortable grip.
Pros
- Pakkawood handle makes the knife stylish
- The blade is hand-hammered to prevent foods from sticking on the blade when cutting
- Its blade is manufactured from a special kind of steel called layered Damascus
- The blade is thin and very sharp
- Shape and size of the handle is designed to fit well in the hand
Cons
- Wood requires to be maintained well in order to last
- The knife’s price is on the higher side
- It is quite short and smaller than standard knives which are usually 7 inches long
2. Shun Classic 6-1/2-Inch Nakiri Knife Japanese Stainless-Steel
The best Nakiri knife makes the task of vegetables and fruits preparation easier. The Shun Classic 6-1/2-Inch Nakiri Knife Japanese doesn’t disappoint in cutting authentic Japanese and Asian foods.
Please note that though the knife is expensive it is covered by a limited lifetime warranty.
The knife weighs 7.5 ounces and has a length of 6-1/2-inch, which is quite an ordinary size and also sturdy. It is designed with a stainless steel blade that has 16 layers of rust-free Damascus steel. Additionally, the blade is manufactured with a 16-degree angle to ensure it is razor sharp.
The D-shaped handle is shaped from pakkawood with ergonomics in mind to produce a comfortable to grip knife.
Pros
- It is quite a standard length measuring 6.5 inches
- It is more effective in vegetables and fruits cutting than a traditional knife because it is razor sharp, and non-sticking of food on blade
- The knife has the manufacturer’s limited lifetime warranty
- It has an elegant design because of the wood handle
- The stainless steel blade is durably constructed for longevity
Cons
- It is quite expensive
- The wooden handle has to be kept away from moisture for it to last
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3. Dalstrong 4″ Paring Knife Japanese Phantom Series
The Dalstrong 4″ Paring Knife Japanese draws attention because of the rigorous Japanese Knife-Construction process it goes through to produce a superb cutting tool.
Featuring a length of 4” and a weight of 3.2 ounces, it is a paring knife, which is a special knife for doing specific functions that standard-sized knives cannot do effectively. The knife cuts precisely and effortlessly.
First off, the blade has a precision forged full tang narrow construction with a 58+ Rockwell hardness.
Just as importantly, the blade is constructed from a single piece of high carbon ice tempered Japanese AUS-8 steel for durability. The blade is then honed by experts to a 13-15 degrees edge and then nitrogen cooled, the process works to make the blade flexibility, corrosion resistant and strong.
Its D-shaped handle is a black Spanish pakkawood that is hand polished and laminated for a comfortable grip, durability, and aesthetics. What’s more, it is quite competitively priced
Pros
- It is reasonably priced
- It has an ergonomic and elegant wooden handle
- The blade cuts precisely
- The knife is durably constructed
Cons
- It exceptionally small and not an everyday knife for doing ordinary kitchen cutting tasks
4. Kai USA 5-3/8-Inch Pure Komachi 2 Nakiri Knife, AB5071
You will appreciate this knife for its performance and unique color design. The Japanese call it a Komachi 2 knife. It is a very popular budget knife with a bargain price point.
The knife is uniquely designed with the overall outside appearance of the blade and handle being conspicuous in monochromatic colors.
The knife is 4 ounces and has a length of 5.5 inches which is pretty small.
The unique design is engineered by bonding a coat on a stainless steel blade. The result is a beautiful knife that is easy to clean and effective at cutting.
On top of that, the blades are designed thin for precise cutting. The steel is high quality, in addition, the edges retain their edges for long.
Besides, the handles are contoured to provide a firm grip. However, it is a partial tang-knife, which may compromise the durability of the handle when it is aging.
Pros
- It is a unique design
- It is very inexpensive
- The knife has good customer reviews
- It is constructed strong for performance and beauty
Cons
- It is not easy to sharpen it when it gets dull
- It has a plastic handle
- It is not a full tang knife.
5. Wusthof Classic Nakiri Knife 7-Inch 4193/17 with Hollow Edge
This knife is designed for thin vegetable cutting. The Wusthof Classic Nakiri Knife 7-Inch 4193/17 is a high-quality knife made in Solingen, Germany and comes at a premium price.
The knife weighs 0.56 lbs, it has a length of 10 inches and a blade length of 7 inches. In addition, it is a full tang knife with a blade that is crafted from one piece tempered high carbon steel for sturdiness. This is quite a strong knife that can be used for commercial or home use.
Further, the knife has Granton-edge blades which features 30% more edge retention than other Asian-styled blades. More so, the edges are non-stick crafted through a process of forming air pockets to prevent foods from sticking on the blades.
Besides, the triple riveted handle is easy to grip.
Pros
- It is longer than other knives
- The blade is durable and strongly constructed from a high-quality stainless steel
- It has a non-stick blade
- The edges have more edge retention compared to other knives in its category
- It has a non-slip handle
Cons
- It is expensive
6. Trada For Vegetable Knife 7Inch Nakiri Japanese
The TradaFor Vegetable Knife 7Inch Nakiri Japanese is a good beginner unit that can help you upgrade from using only a standard chef’s knife.
The knife is 7 inches long with a weight of 8 ounces, which is a standard nakiri knife.
Further, the knife is designed with a single bevel which is razor sharp and cuts very thin vegetable slices. It incorporates a blade that is constructed from 1.4116 German High-carbon stainless steel for a blade that rust resistant, sturdy and has superior edge retention.
Besides that, the blade and handle are attached firmly for the durability of the knife. Moreover, the handle is made from pakkawood and constructed to be moisture resistant for durability.
It comes in a nice gift box to make a perfect gift to a loved one.
Pros
- It is a standard knife at 7 inches
- It is very effective in cutting paper-thin vegetables
- The blade and handle are durably constructed
- It is competitively priced
- It comes in a nice box for a perfect gift idea
- It is good for beginners
Cons
- It is designed for right-hand users
7. Kyocera Ceramic Revolution 6-inch Nakiri Knife Vegetable Cleaver, Black FK-150 NBK
This is a good multipurpose knife. The knife can be used for cutting boneless meat, fruits, and vegetables. The Kyocera Ceramic Revolution 6-inch Nakiri Knife features a blade made with zirconia material which is Kyocera’s proprietary material produced in Japan for high-quality blades.
It is 6 inches long and has a weight of 3.2 ounces, therefore it is quite light in weight.
The blades are sharp having 10 times more edge retention capacity than other steel blades. Also, the blades are rust-resistant and acid-resistant. However, the knife is sensitive to hard and frozen foods.
Pros
- It is competitively priced
- It features a very sharp blade
- The knife holds its edge for long for convenience
- The ceramic material makes the knives not react to acids, water, oil, and salts
- Its blade is made from zirconia, which is harder than steel
- The knife is quite light in weight, consequently it will not cause hand fatigue if used for long
Cons
- Not recommended for carving, cutting bones, cheese, and frozen foods
- It is a bit shorter than the standard 7-inch knives
8. Dalstrong 6″ Nakiri Vegetable Knife – Shogun Series X – AUS-10-V – Hammered Finish -(152mm)
Featuring a blade that boasts of 62+ Rockwell hardness, the DALSTRONG 6″ Nakiri Vegetable Knife is designed for durability and performance. It weighs 10.2 ounces, which is a medium weight, further it has a length of 6 inches which is a bit shorter than standard knives.
The blade is constructed with VG10 Japanese stainless with the interior steel having 66 layers. In addition, it is sharpened through the traditional three-step Japanese Honbazuke method which giving the blade an angle of between 8-12 degrees.
As if that is not enough, the knife is nitrogen cooled to resist corrosion.
Moreover, the blades are also hammered using tsuchime finish to reduce drag and make them non-stick. It has a triple-riveted full-tang handle for durability.
Pros
- It features a blade with a Rockwell hardness of 62+
- It has scalpel-like edges which are non-stick because of hand-polishing and because of passing through other Japanese knife-making processes
- It has an ergonomic handle
- It comes with the manufacturer’s lifetime warranty
Cons
- It is pricey
Related Post: What’s The Best Carving Knife for the Money? 10 Top Options Reviewed
9. Kai 6-1/2-Inch Nakiri Knife 6716N Wasabi Black
Not reserved for veggies cutting only the Kai 6-1/2-Inch Nakiri Knife 6716N can be used for a variety of cutting tasks. This knife features a razor sharp blade that helps to cut vegetables fast and efficiently.
It is a very inexpensive knife that also has a limited lifetime warranty. At 6.5 inches the length is pretty fine for most adults to balance and have good control when cutting. The knife weighs 8.8 ounces only.
The knife is constructed from Daido 1K6 high-carbon no-stain steel a material that is superb for edge retention, the edges are then bead-blasted for an attractive and sharp cutting tool.
Besides, the handle is made from a combination of bamboo powder and polypropylene and treated with an anti-bacterial agent for hygiene.
Pros
- The length of the knife is quite standard at 6.5 inches
- It is quite light in weight
- The blade has high edge retention features
- It is affordable
- The handle has anti-bacterial properties for hygiene cutting
Cons
- It is not a forged knife
10. Mercer Culinary Nakiri Knife M24307 Vegetable Asian Collection
The low-cost Mercer Culinary Nakiri Knife M24307 is a perfect knife for preparing authentic Japanese and other Asian foods like sushi, vegetables, fish, and meat. The knife is a product of Mercer a renowned manufacturer of quality products in the food industry.
On top of that, the knife cuts vegetables and fruits with ease providing paper-thin slices. The good thing is that the knife is inexpensive and it also has a limited lifetime warranty. The ergonomic Santoprene handle provides balance in the hand for good control during slicing and cutting.
Its blade is made from high carbon German Stainless steel which has corrosion resistance and rust-resistance features, the knife does not also discolor. In addition, the blades are taper-ground with a fine stone finish.
Pros
- It is very pocket-friendly
- It has the manufacturer’s limited lifetime warranty
- It has a non-slip wooden handle
- The blades are high quality and very sharp
Cons
- For longevity, the knife should be kept away from moisture and prolonged wetness
The Buying Guide
Every Nakiri knife on the market may seem perfect until you actually take a closer look at the specifics. And here are some of the factors that you should always pay attention to.
Blade Material
The best knives are ones whose blade is made from stainless steel. While at it, it’s important to note that two forms of stainless steel exist.
The low carbon stainless steel material is quite popular because it’s affordable. Unfortunately, its low carbon content means that it’s softer and, therefore, tends to become dull quicker.
The other option, in that case, is the high carbon option which by virtue of containing a higher carbon content is tougher, easier to sharpener and has a longer lifespan.
Quality of the Handle
Handle quality may not seem like much but if you’re an experienced chef, you probably have an idea what a poor quality handle can do to you. In that case, your best bet is to go for an ergonomic handle.
It should have the curves that ensure that it fits comfortably on your hand. And most importantly, it should have enough grip to prevent accidental slipperiness that would otherwise increase your probability of getting injured.
Blade Finish
The last thing you want to happen to you is having the chopped veggies sticking to the blade. Indeed, only a perfectly finished blade can prevent that from happening. With that in mind, you want to make sure that the kind of blade you settle for is well-finished.
For instance, if it provides you with a hand-hammered finish or a Granton edge, it can significantly help you avoid such problems.
Your Budget
Just how much are you willing to cough out to find the best knife quality? Well, our research concludes that the best budget range for finding an ideal Nakiri knife falls between $100 and $200.
Which One Is The Best?
We’d settle for the Shun Classic 6.5-Inch Nakiri knife. With a perfectly finished stainless steel blade which has been layered with 16-layers for a rust-free Damascus look, this knife seems perfect.
What’s more? Its handle is made from a durable PakkaWood which provides you with a firm grip and long life. Above all, this knife comes with an easy-to-sharpen blade which is durable and relatively safe to use.
Final Thoughts
A lot might have been said about Nakiri knives until the task of finding one that best suits your needs may seem like a complicated one. But finding your best choice in a competitive marketplace should not be all that complicated.
The list provided above aims to help match you up with a knife whose ease of use and precision are worth appreciating.
