Best Nakiri Knife: Slicing And Dicing The Japanese Way

A regular knife can be a pain in the neck for a pro chef when slicing fruits and vegetables. And this is where Nakiri knives shine the most. 

They are a bit top-heavy, so you can beautify, slice, chop, and make intricate cuts within seconds. 

But with so many options on the market, how would you pick a perfect one for your style and needs? 

Well, we’ve filtered the best Nakiri knives based on blade quality, handle comfort, and cutting performance. Then we created a comparison chart, so you can quickly find the best option. 

There were around 40 options in our hands while testing. Here are the ones that passed our tests:

What are the best Nakiri Knives?

Though it’s just a Japanese vegetable knife, it’s hard to find the right option. Age, hand size, and grip handle play a huge role in choosing the Nakiri of your choice. Here are 9 of the top Nakiri knives:

1. Shun Cutlery Classic
2. Mercer Culinary Genesis M20907
3. Mercer Culinary M21067
4. Kai PRO Wasabi Nakiri
5. KIWI Knife Cook Utility Knives
6. WÜSTHOF Classic 7″
7. Kessaku 7-Inch Nakiri
8. Yoshihiro VG-10 Nakiri 

Best Nakiri Knives: Comparison Chart

In a hurry? Go through the comparison below and find a Japanese cutting blade for your needs. Won’t take more than a few seconds.

8 best Nakiri Knifes for 2023

Are you looking for the best Nakiri knife? Look for one with Damascus steel, like the Shun classic. You can use it in up and down motion without the slightest pattern imbalance. Here are the knife features the Shun Cutlery Classic comes with: 

Straight Heavy Blade Perfection (Excellent push cuts)

The straight heavy blade and edge, combined with a blunt end, make this Japanese knife ideal for push cuts. On top of that, the straight blade and spine churn out precise cuts every time. If you are a home cook or a pro with style, then this is a must-have Nakiri knife.

High-Quality Construction for a Lifetime of Use

The knife offers a VG-MAX cutting and 68 layers of stainless Damascus for the core. Just like a Japanese samurai sword, this Damascus knife is highly durable and corrosion-resistant. You will have a sharp edge and hardly need to sharpen it.

Comfortable Handle for All Users

The D-shaped, ebony-finished Pakkawood handle is both beautiful and comfortable to use. Whether you are left or right-handed, the knife won’t stress you out. As it’s a bit side heavy, you can slice and dice anything without too much pressure. 

Cuts more than just veggies

Though the 6.5-inch knife is excellent for slicing carrots and other veggies, you can use it for anything soft. Fish, meat, or even turkey strings, you can do it all. 

Do you want to become a pro at push cutting vegetables? The Mercer Culinary M20907 vegetable knife is the way to go. With one of a kind chef knife design, you can make Chiffonade, Brunoise, Julienne, and so many more. Here are some features you will like:

Cut Like a Pro

Due to the high-carbon German stainless steel build, the blade will last for decades. Plus, it can withstand even the toughest of vegetable-cutting tasks. The taper-ground edge allows for effortless and precise cuts, making slicing and dicing veggies a breeze.

Ergonomic Blade Heavy Design for Ultimate Comfort:

The handle of these stainless steel knives is exceptionally comfortable. Its ergonomic shape fits perfectly in any hand, offering a secure, non-slip grip even when wet. The sharp tines make food piercing in a uniform pattern.

Easy Maintenance for Long-Lasting Performance:

Simply wash the knife by hand with warm water and mild soap. Afterward, rinse and dry completely with a soft towel. This is all it takes to keep this Nakiri vegetable knife performing at its best. 

For the Culinary Connoisseur:

These 7-inch Nakiri Vegetable knives can help you shape delicious, healthy meals with ease. Make any dish into a culinary masterpiece without any professional chef’s knife. 

Unleash your mincing and slicing skills with the cutting-edge performance of the Mercer Culinary M21067 carving fork. For the build, these Japanese kitchen knives combine strength, durability, and comfort in one elegant package. Here are some knife features of Mercer M21067:

Precision-Forged for Long-Lasting Durability

The Mercer Culinary M21067 carving Nakiri knife has a high-carbon steel build for exceptional strength and durability. Its taper-ground edge allows for effortless cutting and a long-lasting razor sharp blade. All these combine to make it a reliable tool in your kitchen knives kit.

Ergonomic Handle for a Comfortable Grip

You can finally say goodbye to hand fatigue while making delicate slice patterns. With the ergonomic handle and non-slip Santoprene design, the chef knife ensures a comfortable pinch grip, even with wet hands. And with the sharp tines, piercing food has never been easier.

Perfect for Slicing and Serving Meats

Doesn’t matter what you do; the Mercer Culinary M21067 is the perfect addition to your cutting skills. Its versatility makes it ideal for slicing and serving a variety of meats, including chicken, beef, or turkey.

Easy to Clean and Maintain

The M21067 knife is easy to clean and maintain. Simply wash it by hand with warm water and mild soap, and then rinse. Leave it or dry it with a piece of cloth. It will resist some amount of rust damage as well. But don’t leave it in the dishwasher. 

 

The Kai Pro Wasabi Nakiri Knife brings back memories of old family recipes passed down from generation to generation. With its straight blade and traditional Japanese-style symmetrical handle, it is not just a tool; it’s a symbol of family tradition. Here are some features you will love: 

Elevate Your Vegetable Preparation Game

You can literally transform your vegetable preparation into a piece of art. Having a comfortable, symmetrical handle, the knife makes precise cuts in seconds. Want to make veggies more attractive? Try it out.

Cutting Perfection on the cutting board

Dull blades and uneven cuts can be a bit dangerous, especially when you push too much on the cutting board. However, the Wasabi Nakiri Knife has a 1K6 high-carbon stainless steel construction, which ensures superior edge retention. Unlike other softer steel knives or western knife blades, the Kai pro will stay razor sharp for longer. 

The Ultimate Kitchen All-Rounder

A versatile and efficient 6.5-inch curved blade, a straight edge, and a spine make the knife a genuine all-rounder in the kitchen. Doesn’t matter if you’re making stir-fry, slicing vegetables for a salad, or just a quick herb chop; not many carbon steel knives can surpass its quality. Cutting time becomes half and with minimal effort.

Maximum Quality Guarantee 

This Japanese Nakiri Knife is truly a symbol of quality, innovation, and outstanding value. If you don’t want to settle on anything cheap in quality, then these carbon steel knives are an excellent investment for you.

Are you searching for cheap yet reliable Japanese vegetable knives and ease-up meal preparation? The KIWI Knife has high-quality stainless steel and a comfortable wooden handle but costs half the price of its competitors. Here are a few features of the KIWI Japanese vegetable knife:

Durable and Long-lasting

When it comes to durability, the knife is pretty strong and has a high-quality stainless steel build. It also holds a resistive razor sharp edge, a reliable handle, and is easy to sharpen the rectangular blade. Give it a quick sharpening, and you will be good to go for round two. 

Lightweight and Comfortable

The lightweight design makes the knife easy to handle for extended periods of time on the cutting board. Turns out, the comfortable wooden handle provides a secure grip for almost anyone. Now, you can make delicious meals without stressing too much about cutting vegetables.

Precise Cuts

The thin blade of the KIWI Knives allows for precise cuts and easy slices on vegetables, fruits, and boneless meats. However, don’t roughhouse on bones, as the blade will turn dull with impact.

Budget-Friendly Option

Costing just $16 for two, the knife will hardly break the bank. Who said you need to sacrifice quality for price? These knives perform just as well as high-end options.

When it comes to quality, WÜSTHOF Nakiri knives are built with passion. For starters, it has a solid build, a 7″ stainless steel curved blade, faster-slicing ability, and a lot more. You won’t have to put a whole lot of pressure or press it too hard for a clean chop. 

Now, let’s look at some features of the knife: 

Sharpness Meets Precision

A vegetable knife will turn dull after a few days of meat chopping. But not with the Wusthof. This vegetable cleaver knife is tempered to 58-degree HRC, making it 20% sharper and with twice the edge retention. Due to the Precision Edge Technology (PEtec), the knife ensures clean cuts in every slice. 

The Kitchen Workhorse You’ve Been Searching For

With a thinner blade design and a 10° cutting edge, this 7″ Nakiri’s blade is perfect for slicing vegetables, fruits, boneless meat, or anything else on the cutting board. You can prep dinner for the week or whip up a quick meal, and this stainless steel knife won’t let you down.

Built to Last

Due to the stainless steel knife blade, it’s highly resistant to corrosion and dulling. On the other hand, it ensures a long-lasting addition to your kitchen. The knife also comes with a limited lifetime warranty, so you can fix any issues without paying a penny. 

Safe for any user

The full bolster and finger guard provides complete protection and comfort while using the knife. It’s a safe and reliable tool in the home kitchen, family-owned business, and so on. Even a kid can use it without cutting off their index finger. With the unique blade construction, this Japanese Nakiri bōchō is safer than most Nakiri knives out there.

Tired of dull and unbalanced kitchen knives that don’t meet your cooking needs? Look no further, and the Kessaku Nakiri Knife is here! With its sleek and gorgeous design, this knife is truly a work of art. Here are some features to back this chef’s knife:

Unmatched traditional Nakiri Design

The Kessaku Samurai Series Nakiri Knife is a deadly combo of both beauty and excellent cutting ability. You can start from ergonomically balanced to being comfortable and safe; the kitchen knife didn’t miss any stone unturned. A perfect blend of tradition with a modern twist.

Relentless Sharpness and high durability 

Using the traditional Honbazuke method, the blades result in surgically sharp edges. Turns out, it cuts with precision and accuracy, and that too without any dullness. Now add that with a high Carbon 7CR17MOV stainless steel blade, and you get corrosion resistance and non-stick properties out-of-the-box.

Comfort and strong build

A Mirror-Polished Smooth Pakka Wood handle offers a comfortable grip that feels as if it is your own extension. Its design ensures that no dirt or debris can ever infiltrate its wood-steel inner, so no separation will happen. To add to the mix, it is nearly impervious to heat, cold, and moisture.

Imagine a Nakiri knife that combines the traditional Japanese style knives’ beauty and elegance with modern functionality. This is what you get from a high-quality Nakiri knife like Yoshihio VG-10. It is handcrafted, so it’s premium from the core. 

Here are some features of the VG-10 Yoshihiro: 

Beauty and Functionality Combined

The 16 layers of steel forged knife are hammered in the Damascus tradition, so it’s more than just a pretty face. With a hardness rating of 60, the blade ensures exceptional Sharpness, edge retention, and durability. 

Perfect for Vegetable Preparation

Use the knife as a vegetable cleaver or for preparing a fruit salad; it’s effortless. You can make soups, salads, herbs, and vegetables in mere minutes. A double-edged flat blade ensures complete contact with your cutting surface with each stroke. Whether it be ripe tomatoes, pineapples, or slicing carrots, you name it, and the knife can take them all. 

Comfortable and Effortless to Use

The premium Western Style Handle with the ergonomic design fits almost any hand shape. It eliminates friction, keeping food from sticking to the blade. Now you can cut fruits and veggies effortlessly and comfortably.

Requires minimal Care and Maintenance

Though you need to sharpen the blade from time to time, this is all the maintenance you will need. For the cleaning part, just throw in some water, and you are done.

Nakiri knife buying guide: How to Choose the Perfect One

Searching for a good Nakiri knife that is hassle-free to maintain and can slice with perfection? We’ve got you covered right here:

Blade Material: (High-quality steel like VG-10, Honyaki, or AUS-10)

When it comes to a Nakiri knife, the blade material is key to its performance. A High-quality steel, such as VG-10, Honyaki, or AUS-10, will offer a sharper and durable edge. Plus, making it easier to chop vegetables with precision. 

Blade Shape: Consider the Usability and Aesthetics

In addition to functionality, the blade shape of your Nakiri knife should also be aesthetically pleasing. Go through thicker blades and find a straight one that holds a flat edge and a rounded tip. This Nakiri vegetable knife design not only simplifies chopping vegetables but also exudes a sleek and stylish appearance. 

Furthermore, some Nakiri knives feature a dimpled blade, which can help reduce friction and prevent ingredients from sticking. You can choose one of those Nakiri knives as well.

Handle Comfort: The Grip is Key

The handle of your Nakiri knife should offer a comfortable fit that hugs your grip. It will reduce hand fatigue and also provide greater control over the blade. On top of that, look for a non-slip handle, such as rubber or silicone, to ensure stability and precision.

Blade Sharpness: A Cut Above the Rest

A dull blade not only hinders the cutting process but can also be a safety hazard. Therefore, go for a knife with a fine edge. With a sharp Nakiri knife, you’ll be able to elevate your cutting and slicing to new heights, which makes the process smoother and more fulfilling.

Balance: The Optimal Weight for Performance

Look for a knife that has evenly distributed weight between the blade and the handle. A well-balanced knife provides better control, reduces hand fatigue, and allows you to chop and slice perfectly.

Brand Reputation: Quality Above All

Last but not least, brand reputation is a crucial factor to consider while choosing your Nakiri knife. Renowned brands have a history of producing durable, reliable, and impeccably crafted knives. 

Go for brands like Yoshihiro, Mercer, WÜSTHOF, KIWI, Shun, and so on. Only a trusted brand can provide you with the best Nakiri knife.

How To Take Care Of A Nakiri Knife: Easy Care Tips

A high-quality Japanese Nakiri knife needs regular cleaning and sharpening to stay efficient. Here are the tips you can use to keep a Nakiri knife good: 

Keep it Sharp

A dull Nakiri knife is not only frustrating to work with but also dangerous. Regular honing and sharpening are crucial to ensure that your Nakiri knife stays sharp and cuts cleanly.

Store it Safely (Dry and clean area)

To prevent any damage to the blade, store your Nakiri knife in a safe place, preferably in a knife block or a sheath. Avoid stacking other knives on top of it, which can cause it to be dull or even chip. Else, using the knife in up and down motion will be a hassle. 

Clean it Properly (Don’t leave it in wet places)

After each use, clean your Nakiri knife thoroughly but avoid soaking it in water for too long. Use a damp cloth to wipe it down, and dry it immediately to prevent rusting.

Use a Cutting Board (Wood or Plastic)

Always use a good cutting board when using your Nakiri knife. Keep the blade tip away from hard surfaces such as marble or glass, as this will cause damage to the blade. A wooden or plastic board is the best option.

Take Care of the Handle Too

The handle of your Nakiri knife shouldn’t be neglected. You need to regularly oil the handle to prevent it from drying out and cracking. On top of that, make sure it is securely attached to the blade to avoid any accidents.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you haven’t yet, find one that’s comfortable to hold and non-slippery, like the Shun Cutlery Classic. Although it’s a little higher price point, the cost is worth it.

This Nakiri will help you cut like the pro chef you’ve always wanted. Just keep it sharp from time to time.