7 Best Japanese Kitchen Knives

Japanese kitchen knives are one-of-a-kind knives that have gained huge popularity because of their precise cuttings and unique designs. Japanese knives are so thin that they are mainly used to make the most delicate and precise cuts. Due to their thin body, they are only used by professional who needs to cut precisely.

Product

Features

Kalemera Beverage Refrigerator

Yatoshi  Pro Kitchen 5 Knife Set

  • Rockewell Hardness Scale

  • Ergonomically Shaped Handle

  • High Carbon Steel

  • Anti-rust

Ivation 31 bottle built-in wine cooler

Imarku Santoku 7 inch Ultra Sharp Asian Kitchen Knife

  • Scalloped hollow edge

  • Unique design

  • Perfect balance

  • German stainless steel

EdgeStar Built-in Wine Cooler

TUO 5.5" Razor Sharp Santoku Japanese Chefs Knife

  • Titanium coating

  • Scratch proof

  • Water repellent

  • AUS-8 stainless steel

Lanbo Wine Cellar

HEZHEN Vacuum Heat Treated Damascus Steel 5PC Kitchen Knives Set

  • Enhanced stability

  • 100% quality assurance

  • Ergonomic handle

  • Elegant design

Karcassin Wine Cooler Refrigerator

Spyderco Itamae Gyuto 10.06" SUS410 Super Blue Stainless Steel Blade Premium Kitchen Knife

  • Premium quality

  • Octagonal handle

  • Professional knife

  • Itamae Gyuto

Colzer Wine cooler refrigerator

Zlatko Professional Multi-Functional Japanese Chef Knife for Kitchen

  • Multifucntional

  • Resin handle

  • 58HRC hardness

  • 180 days refund policy

Anarctic Star Wine Cooler

EUNA Ultra Sharp Kitchen Knife Set

  • Affordable

  • Water repellent

  • Stain free

  • Stable and balanced

Also, Japanese kitchen knives are used to peel the skin from puffer fish. Only a chef who has trained for years will be allowed to trim the puffer fish’s skin because the number of neurotoxins present in the puffer fish can kill a man in a matter of minutes. So, a trained chef will use Japanese kitchen knives to trim the skin. Due to their ultra-slim body, it will be much easier to trim without removing excess flesh.

In other words, Japanese knives are the perfect blend between beauty and performance. The Japanese knives are a pure delight for the eyes as it has intriguing designs carved all over its body. Also, each Japanese knives have a unique handle that is designed perfectly to balance the weight of the body.

In this article, we are going to see a list of the best Japanese kitchen knives. Also, you can find a buying guide that will help you find the best Japanese knives for yourself. But before proceeding, we have to know that there are a few important types of Japanese knives. Each type of Japanese knife has its unique abilities, and a user who wants to use a Japanese kitchen knife should know its type and its abilities.

Gyuto Knife:

The first type of kitchen knife is the Gyuto. The word Gyuto means cow blade. The knife got its name for its ability to cut thick meat without breaking a sweat. It closely resembles traditional western knives, which have a little curved blade. Due to its curved blade and unique cutting abilities, it can be used to cut all types of food products, including meat, fruits, and vegetables. Its curved blade allows the user to cut vegetables and fruits in a rocking motion.

Santoku Knife:

The next one is called the Santoku knives, which roughly translates to the three virtues. Meat, fish, and vegetables are the three virtues. The Santoku knives almost look similar to the Gyuto knives but only are larger and can be used to perform different cutting styles. Rocking is the specialty of the Gyuto knives, but the Santoku knives are the better performers when it comes to shopping. But it can perform all kinds of cuttings, including slicing, trimming, filleting, etc. The blade of the Santoku knives is significantly larger than the Gyuto knives, which prevents hand fatigue.

Nakiri Knife:

If it comes to cutting vegetables, there is no other type of Japanese knife that can rival the Nakiri knives’ performances. The Nakiri knives have square-tipped blades which are 5 to 7 inches long with an ultra-thin blade. This knife can cut any kind of vegetable with ease and can perform complicated vegetable cuttings such as brunoise allumette and julienne. Their ultra-thin and long body blade can penetrate large and long vegetables with ease and make thin slices. It should be used for cutting vegetables only. Using Nakiri knives to cut meat can be clumsy.

Petty Knife:

The Petty knives are a smaller version of the Gyuto of knives. But the blades of Petty knives are much sharper and can perform complicated cuts like trimming the skin of the fish. It can also be used to cut vegetables, meat, and fish but are better for sophisticated tasks.

Deba Knife:

The last Japanese knife on our list is the Deba. Deba knives are more popular because of their usage in filleting. It is used while preparing Sushi. It is also used to cut down the small bones of chicken from its flesh. The size of the blade can be anywhere between 7 to 13 inches.

Contents

Best Japanese Kitchen Knives – Buying Guide

Factors to consider while buying the best Japanese kitchen knives

Chopping Vegetables: If you want to buy a Japanese knife for cutting, the Gyuto might be the right fit for you. It provides a better hand grip, and the user can use the rocking motion to chop vegetables efficiently and faster. The Santoku is also a better option for chopping vegetables, but chopping them using a rocking motion might cause hand fatigue.

Trimming: Trimming is the process of removing the skin from the fish or other animals. It takes a thin and razor-sharp knife to trim the skin from the flesh. The right type of Japanese kitchen knife is the Petty knife. It is thin and razor-sharp and can perform the task seamlessly.

Cutting Vegetables: The Nakiri knives are the best fit for cutting vegetables. Its slim but wide blade makes it possible to cut even long and large vegetables into perfectly small slices. The only drawback of Nakiri knives is their square-shaped tip. The square-shaped tip makes it impossible to cut vegetables in a rocking motion.

Filleting: Filleting is cutting fish flesh into equal-sized pieces. Filleting is a much easier and simpler process compared to trimming sin off fish. The right choice for this task is the Deba knife. It is most commonly used in Sushi restaurants. Also, Deba knives are used to separate bones and other unnecessary elements from the meat.

Best Japanese Kitchen Knives Reviews

1. Yatoshi Pro Kitchen 5 Knife Set

best japanese kitchen knives

Description

  • Brand: Yatoshi
  • No of knives: 5
  • Blade Material: High Carbon Steel
  • Handle Material: Pakkawood

Performance:

Yatoshi is a famous brand that has been manufacturing Japanese knives for years. In this set of five knives, you can find all the five types of knives that are required. These knives are extremely sharp and steady. They offer a better grip to their users. The handle made up of pakkawood is extremely lightweight and is in the perfect proportion and size to counterbalance the weight of the blade. The blade is made up of high carbon steel (Cr7), which makes it much more durable than other Japanese knives.

Comparison:

Yatoshi’s Pro Kitchen, 5 Knives set is one of the best Japanese kitchen knives sets. The blade of the knives is made up of High carbon steel, which contains a 0.3 – 04% higher amount of carbon than other knives. The usual carbon level in these blades is around 0.3%. But Yatoshi’s knives have 0.6 to 0.75% higher amounts of carbon in their blades. This increases the durability and sturdiness of the blade while reducing the risk of getting rusted.

Usage:

The Pro Kitchen Knives set has all the five required Japanese knives in it. If you want to trim the skin from fish flesh, you can use the Paring knives. For general cutting and chopping purposes, you can use the Chef’s knife. Also, the Deba knife can be used for filleting and other meat chopping purposes. Their ultra-sharp edge makes it possible to cut through any type of vegetables, meat, fish, etc., with ease. Also, the blades are incredibly slim and can make precise cutting possible. The ultra-slim blades can be used to cut onions effectively. It reduces the production of syn-Propanethial-S-oxide, which is the primary cause of irritation in your eyes while you cut the onions.

Pros

  • Rockwell Hardness Scale
  • Ergonomically Shaped Handle
  • High Carbon Steel
  • Anti-rust

Cons

  • Needs constant sharpening

What’s New?

The handle of the knives is made up of pakkwood. It is a rare wood type that has shiny looks and is ultra-lightweight. Due to their lightweight and high durability, the knives are perfectly balanced and offer greater maneuverability to their users. Also, the wood is water-resistant and won’t wear out any time soon. Pakkawood is naturally a hard environment for bacteria to survive, so you don’t have to worry about the bacteria anymore with Yatoshi Pro Kitchen Knife Set.

Why Should You Buy It?

Yatoshi Pro Kitchen 5 Knife set is one of the best Japanese kitchen knives due to its ultra-sharp and extremely durable blade and handle. Also, the blade is made up of 0.3% high carbon steel compared to other Japanese knives in this range. The blades have anti-corrosion resistance and are stain free. The knives are extremely easy to handle and are ergonomically designed, so they can be presented to your dear ones too.

check price

2. Imarku Santoku 7-inch UltraSharp Asian Kitchen Knife

Description

  • Brand: Imarku
  • No of Knives: 1
  • Blade Material: Stainless steel
  • Handle Material: Pakkawood

Performance:

The Santoku knife consists of a 7-inch long blade and 5 inches long handle. The blade is made up of German high-quality stainless steel, which is much more durable than other blade materials. Also, the German stainless steel is highly resistant to discoloration, corrosion, and rusting. This provides additional life to your knife. The blade is sharpened by hand using advanced Japanese sharpening techniques, making it the best handmade Japanese kitchen knives.

Comparison:

The Santoku knife can be used for any purpose and can perform well in any type of cutting technique. You can chop, slice and dice vegetables, meat, fish flesh, and even bread with a gentle push through it. Its razor-sharp blade makes it possible to cut any kind of food product easily. Also, the manually sharpened knives don’t get dull easily. The sharpness of the blade will last longer.

Usage:

The blade has a unique scalloped hollow edge that prevents the sliced food products from sticking to the surface of the blade. This reduces unwanted time and food wastage. Also, the uniquely designed handles reduce hand fatigue by giving it plenty of room and protecting the curl of the hand from hitting the surface. The Santoku knife is one of the best Japanese kitchen knives when it comes to slicing, chopping, and dicing vegetables and meat. It can cut any type of meat with ease.

Pros

  • Scalloped hollow edge
  • Unique design
  • Perfect balance
  • German stainless steel

Cons

  • Not stain resistant
  • Only one Santoku knife

What’s New?

You can expect a comfortable grip on this Santoku knife because the handle is made up of pure-quality pakawood, which is much smoother and easy to hold than other kinds of handles. It has no rough or sharp surface or edges, and the handle is completely polished. The handle won’t break or snap under any circumstances and provides exceptional protection to the user’s hand.

Why Should You Buy It?

Apart from its exceptional performance, the Santoku knife is presentable. It comes inside a beautiful black box which is an attractive casing for the knife. It is much easier to use and can be used with anyone with no experience at all. However, the knife is too sharp and should be handled with utmost care.

check price

3. TUO 5.5″ Razor Sharp Santoku Japanese Chefs Knife

Description

  • Brand: TUO
  • No of knives: 1
  • Blade Material: Stainless steel and Titanium
  • Handle Material: Pakkawood

Performance:

If you are looking for the industry-standard top-tier Santoku knife, TUO 5.5″ Razor Sharp Santoku Japanese Chefs Knife might be the right fit for you. It is one of the top-rated Japanese knives of all time. The blade of the knife is made up of AUS-8 high carbon stainless steel, which has two overlapping Titanium coats. The Titanium coating acts as a water repellent and scratch-proof layer that increases the durability of the knife. Also, the Titanium coating protects the blade against rusting at all costs.

Usage:

TUO 5.5″ Razor Sharp Santoku Japanese Chefs Knife is one of the best budget Japanese kitchen knives. The Santoku knife is slightly smaller than the original size of a Santuko and looks like a hybrid version of a Santoku knife and Deba knife. It has unique slicing abilities and has an ultra-strong blade that doesn’t break even if we try to break it. However, the sturdiness of the blade is not proportional to the width of the blade. The blade is ultra-slim, making it possible to make clean slices easily.

Pros

  • Titanium coating
  • Scratch proof
  • Water repellent
  • AUS-8 stainless steel

Cons

  • Shorter blade length

What’s New?

As we have discussed, the blade has a dual Titanium coating which makes it repellent against water. Since it is water repellent, it requires very little cleaning time. You can simply wipe it with a piece of cloth, and it will be good as new. Also, the blade is scratch-proof and retain its edge at all cost.

Why Should You Buy It?

The blade is one of the best Japanese kitchen knives because of its performance and appearance. The blade has a unique black-matter coating which is a result of Titanium coating. The knife comes in an attractive black box that can be presented to your beloved ones, families, and friends. To sum up, TUO 5.5″ Razor Sharp Santoku Japanese Chefs Knife is the best Japanese knife to have in your kitchen.

check price

4. HEZHEN Vacuum Heat Treated Damascus Steel 5PC Kitchen Knives Set

Description

  • Brand: Hezhen
  • No of knives: 5
  • Blade Material: Damascus Steel
  • Handle Material: Wood

Performance:

Japanese knives are known for their insane durability. The durability is attained by folding multiple layers of steel and beating them continuously to make it one piece of blade. Hezhen’s 5-set knives are also made up of 69 layers of steel, increasing their durability. The Damascus steel blade has an elegant rose design making it ten times more attractive. The blades have undergone ideal compression and heat treatments, making them stronger and slimmer.

Comparison:

HEZHEN Vacuum Heat Treated Damascus Steel 5PC Kitchen Knives Set is an expensive kitchen knife set but are the best value Japanese kitchen knives. The five types of Japanese kitchen knives are present in this kitchen knife set. Each of the knives has unique features and is used to make different types of food products. Each knife has a brass ring between the blade and the handle, which eliminates the risk of loosening blades. Also, it increases the stability and balance of the knife.

Usage:

You can use the different types of knives for different purposes. For example, use the Santuko knives cut meat, fish, and vegetables. Use the Petty knife to trim the skin off the meat and fish flesh. Each of the knives carries different uses and can be used for professional purposes too. The razor-sharp blades cut meat and other hard foods like cutting butter.

Pros

  • Enhanced stability
  • 100% quality assurance
  • Ergonomic handle
  • Elegant design

Cons

  • Wood handle
  • Expensive

What’s New?

The blade is made up of high-quality Damascus steel, which is resistant to rust, corrosion, and discoloration. The brass ring between the blade and the handle makes the blade much more stable and balanced. The wooden handle has been designed perfectly to fit the curl of the hand.

Why Should You Buy It?

The blades are cut using the traditional manual wet cutting method, which is the only method that doesn’t compromise the quality of the blade. The blade has superior non-stick characteristics, which makes the blade stain free. It will be much easier for the user to user to wash the knives after each use due to their non-stick characteristics.

check price

5. Spyderco Itamae Gyuto 10.06″ SUS410 Super Blue Stainless Steel Blade Premium Kitchen Knife

Description

  • Brand: Spyderco
  • No of knives: 1
  • Blade Material: Stainless steel
  • Handle Material: Burl

Performance:

The name Itamae is a prestigious name or title only reserved for masterclass Sushi chefs. Spyderco’s Gyuto is a top-grade Sushi knife that is made up of top-quality materials. The knife can be used by people who have no experience with cutting meats and vegetables, but it is made for people with exceptional cooking skills. The sharp blade should be handled with care which can cut meat like a piece of butter.

Comparison:

The 10-inch-long knife is a Gyuto knife which is also called the cow blade due to its curved blade. To make a proper Gyuto requires excellent craftsmanship and premium materials. Spyderco’s Gyuto is a masterpiece and is undoubtedly one of the best Japanese kitchen knives. The handles are octagonally shaped, which offers an incredibly stable grip to the user. Also, the blade and the handles are made up of the best premium quality materials.

Usage:

Gyuto knives are all-rounder knives and can be used for diverse cutting needs. But the primary usage of Gyuto is cutting vegetables using a rocking motion. Cutting vegetables in a rocking motion saves up a lot of time and effort for the user. Especially if you are working in a restaurant, a Gyuto knife might be your best friend. Spyderco’s Gyuto knives’ blades are curved to the optimal level to perform the rocking motion. Also, the long edge of the blade provides enough space for the user’s hand to rest on the handle, which reduces hand fatigue when used for a long time.

Pros

  • Premium quality
  • Octagonal handle
  • Professional knife
  • Itamae Gyuto

Cons

  • Expensive

What’s New?

Finding an Itamae-level professional Gyuto knife is hard, and that is why Spyderco Itamae Gyuto 10.06″ SUS410 Super Blue Stainless Steel Blade Premium Kitchen Knife is the best Japanese chef knives. The Gyuto knife is extremely thin and astonishingly sharp that can cut meat and other hard food products easily.

Why Should You Buy It?

Spyderco Itamae Gyuto 10.06″ SUS410 Super Blue Stainless Steel Blade Premium Kitchen Knife is a Gyuto knife that is made up of a rare type of blue stainless steel which is used only to make professional knives. Also, the blade is 10 inches long, making it a perfect fit for various cutting purposes. Also, each of the knives is handmade by master blacksmiths, and that justifies the cost of these knives.

check price

6. Zlatko Professional Multi-Functional Japanese Chef Knife for Kitchen

best japanese kitchen knives

Description

  • Brand: Zlatko
  • No of knives: 1
  • Blade Material: High Carbon Stainless Steel
  • Handle Material: Resin

Performance:

Zlatko’s latest multifunctional Chef’s knives are one of the best Japanese kitchen knives. It has a unique blade that is a perfect blend of the Gyuto, Santuko, Deba, and Petty knives. This makes this knife perform different cutting techniques easily. You can cut vegetables and fruits within no time using a rocking motion. Also, it can be used to fillet and trim meat and fish.

Comparison:

The blade of the knife is made up of superior premium quality high carbon steel. The steel has a hardness of up to 58HRC. This makes it withstand high stress and pressure and won’t break while cutting vegetables, meat, or any other kind of food product. Also, the handle is made up of a rare handle material called resin. It basically provides a better grip to the user, reduces hand fatigue, and provides better balance and stability. Chopping, cutting, trimming, filleting, and any other kinds of cutting procedures one may use, Zlatko Professional Multi-Functional Japanese Chef Knife for Kitchen will make the process seamless.

Usage:

This is a Kiritsuke-type kitchen Japanese knife that can be used to cut any kind of food using any kind of cutting technique. Its uniquely designed blade edge will help you to trim fish skin with ease. Also, it can be used to remove seeds and other unwanted elements in the food products that are hard to be picked by hands or any other type of knife.

Pros

  • Multifunctional
  • Resin handle
  • 58HRC hardness
  • 180 days refund policy

Cons

  • None

What’s New?

Zlatko Professional Multi-Functional Japanese Chef Knife for Kitchen is one of the best handmade Japanese kitchen knives. It has a beautiful handle with an ergonomic design. The handle has a vibrant blue color and has unique designs on the blade. This is the perfect choice to gift someone as it comes with a presentable box.

Why Should You Buy It?

Zlatko offers 180 days refund policy for this knife and provides a lifetime warranty. It is one of the few multifunctional Chef’s knives that comes in this price range. Also, it has a handle made up of a combination of premium quality maple wood and resin.

check price

7. EUNA Ultra Sharp Kitchen Knife Set

Description

  • Brand: EUNA
  • No of knives: 5
  • Blade Material: Stainless Steel
  • Handle Material: Polypropylene

Performance:

The EUNA ultra-sharp kitchen knife set contains five unique knives. You will get a chef’s knife, Santoku knife, Paring knife, slicer knife, and a serrated utility knife. You will get these five unique knives that can be used for different purposes. Whatever might be your cutting need, you can finish the task in an instant.

Comparison:

Not only do the blades have superior performance, but they are also designed in a uniquely attractive way. Each knife is coated with matter matter-black paint which offers more than just a delightful color. The coating repels water and keeps the blade stain free. Each blade has a hardness of 53HRC, which shows the sturdiness of the blade.

Usage:

Each knife carries unique cutting uses. If you have this Japanese kitchen knife set, you can cut anything in any cutting style. Using these knives, one can perform complicated cutting techniques such as trimming off the skin from the fish, filleting, etc. The extra coating in the blade doesn’t allow anything to stick on the blade, making it stain-free. This knife set is one of the best Japanese kitchen knives due to its excelling performance and superior design.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Water repellent
  • Stain-free
  • Stable and balanced

Cons

  • Slightly blunt

What’s New?

These knives are built by an expert craftsman and have no screws that loosen up. The handle and blade are perfectly balanced and are much more sturdy.

Why Should You Buy It?

If you are looking for a knife set at an affordable price with superior performance, the EUNA ultra-sharp kitchen knife set might be the right fit for you. You can also present this knife set to anyone as it comes with an attractive package and case.

check price

FAQs

1. What are the best Japanese kitchen knives?

The five best kitchen knives are the Gyuto, Santoku, Petty, Nakiri, and Deba. Each of these five knives carries different uses, and some of them can be used instead of other knives on the list. The Gyuto knives are used to cut vegetables, meat, and fruits. The Santoku can also be used to cut vegetables, fruits, and meat but can cut meat more efficiently and cut vegetables less efficiently than the Gyuto. The Petty knives are used to trim the skin off the fish and make minute cuts. The Nakiri has a wide blade which makes it easier to cut long and large vegetables easily. The Deba knives are mostly used in Sushi restaurants to fillet the fish. It can also be used to cut bones from the meat.

2. What is the best Japanese knife brand?

We have included knives from the best Japanese knives brand. Apart from the brands included in the list, Yoshihiro Gyutou, Shun Cutlery Premier, and Sakai Takayuki Gyutou are one of the few reputed and reliable Japanese knife brands.

3. Where are the best Japanese knives made?

Gifu Prefecture is a famous place where Katanas and other swords for samurai have been made for centuries. Now it is used to make kitchen knives and is making the best Japanese knives in the whole world.

4. Which is the best blade and handle material?

The best blade materials would be Damasus steel and German stainless steel. Both are incredibly strong, lightweight, and retain sharpness. The best handle material would be a combination of resin and maple wood.

Kelly Anne

Kelly Anne

Hey there, I am Kelly Anne. Thank you for being here. Hope you like the website and it was helpful. I am a working mother of 2. I love to cook and feed people. My hobbies include cooking (obviously), reading, and rock climbing.

With so many machines and accessories in the market to help you cook it become quite overwhelming to choose from. I own a lot of these kitchen equipments and tried out the others. I want the best for my kitchen and I am helping you find the best for yours.

All Posts