You would be surprised at how versatile a Nakiri knife can be. It might not be the most indispensable one in your knife set, especially when you have other knives such as a cleaver or a gyuto knife, but it definitely comes handy, particularly when it comes to chopping vegetables.
Today, you will find out more about the benefits of the Nakiri knife and what sets it apart from other types of knives. Also find out which of the Nakiri knives out there are worth buying. Read on to get ideas on the best brands of Nakiri knives to invest on and how to find the one that works for your specific needs.
Quick Comparison: Top 4 Nakiri Knife
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**Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
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Benefits of a Nakiri Knife
The Nakiri knife is often mistaken for a cleaver. But there are a lot of differences to this a cleaver. The blade, although similar in shape, is actually smaller than a cleaver. While the blade tip curves upwards for the Nakiri knife, the cleaver tends to retain its straight shape, thereby having a straighter tip compared to the Nakiri Knife.
If you like the benefits of a cleaver but find it too big for certain purposes such as chopping harder vegetables, get the Nakiri knife instead. It can offer the following benefits:
The blade is usually thinner and flatter, which allows you to make thinner cuts.
If you want to make thinner cuts on your vegetables, you can do so with the help of the Nakiri knife. It has good maneuverability because of how thin the blade is. You can make cuts as thin as paper when it comes to this knife. If you have a dish that will require you to think and uniformly cut vegetables, use this knife.
It prevents hand pressure.
Do you often cut so many vegetables that you strain your hands? That can happen a lot to chefs or caterers or even to home cooks who do a lot of cooking for a big family at home. The blade of this knife has a nice heft to it that it cuts through the ingredient without the need to saw it or jiggle it. It also doesn’t require too much force or effort.
You preserve the structure of the food you are cutting.
It creates clean and precise results. There are no ragged edges that can mar the appearance of your prepared ingredients. If you are cutting more delicate vegetables such as squash or tomato, it also does an effective job in cutting through these ingredients without squishing them.
You can use the blade to scoop up your ingredients.
The blade is big enough to scoop up your chopped vegetables and put them on your pot or pan. This makes cooking a lot easier.
It is easy to clean and store.
Unlike a cleaver that might be too big and will require more space for storage, a Nakiri knife is smaller. There is a smaller surface area to clean and storing it shouldn’t be too difficult.
Best Nakiri Knife Reviews
Get to know the features of these knives more:
You deserve to have a reliable vegetable knife if you are an avid home cook or a professional cook or caterer. This gorgeous knife sporting of 6 ½ inches of blade that is made from durable stainless-steel material can cut through even the hardest of vegetables with ease. The blade has been forged from 16 different layers of stainless-steel blade and features a Damascus look to it. It can resist rust and corrosion. The handle has a D-shaped PakkaWood material that makes this easier to grip and maneuver.
Pros
- This blade is gorgeous to look at. It has a Damascus pattern and made from 16 layers of high-carbon stainless steel on each side, which totals to 32 layers of steel in each blade.
- It is very sharp. It has a 16-degree angle that allows it to cut through tough vegetables with ease.
- It is resistant to corrosion and does not require a lot of time to maintain.
- Food does not get stuck to it, thanks to its Damascus styling that allows air to circulate through the pockets for more seamless slicing.
- The handle is D-shaped. It provides the best comfort and affords you optimum control when cutting through vegetables.
- It comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
- A lot of people made this their primary knife because of how versatile and sharp it is.
Cons
- It is a bit pricey, but it is worth it for its incredible sharpness.
Don’t break the bank with this Nakiri knife. All 7 inches of its blade is made from high-carbon and no-stain German cutlery steel. You can use it comfortably, thanks to its ergonomic Santoprene handle that does not succumb easily to corrosion even when exposed to kitchen oils. It also offers non-slip function for easier usage and for safety.
Pros
- It is one of the most affordable knives out there.
- It has a good length that can get a lot of cutting work done.
- The blade is durable and doesn’t turn rusty easily.
- The handle feels comfortable and is easy to grip.
- Some were able to use this to cut out backbone from a chicken and it got the job done quickly.
- Comes sharp right out of the box. It is ready to be used.
- There is a good balance between the blade and the handle.
Cons
- Some had minor issues with rusting after a bit of use.
Quality craftsmanship is what this Nakiri knife has to offer. You can tell how good it is based from its construction. The blade is made from full tang and imported high-carbon German steel. With 14-16 degrees per side, you can be assured that this can cut through anything as if they are butter. It has gone through a tempering process that renders it impervious to external damages such as stains and corrosion.
The handle is made from imported black pakkawood for that luxurious feel. Reinforced by triple rivets, this is one knife that you will be happy to use over and over in the kitchen. The blade itself boasts of 56+ Rockwell hardness, which means it will not succumb to damages easily.
Pros
- It has a strong and durable construction. The blade is made from high carbon German steel.
- The handles can withstand damages as it has triple-riveting for added durability.
- Each side is hand-sharpened to 16-18 degrees. You can use it right out of the box.
- It sharpens and cleans easily.
- It comes with its own sheath.
- It retains its edge well and does not chip easily.
- It is an affordable choice as well.
- It comes with a lifetime warranty.
- Has good customer service.
Cons
- Some said this is heavier and thicker than they preferred.
You will be hard-pressed to look away from this knife because of how striking it looks. The blade is a Damascus blade that has VG-10 steel. All 16 layers have been forged to create a resilient and durable knife that you can rely on for a long time. The steel cladding also keeps stains away. The Western-Style handle made from mahogany gives this knife a classic appearance.
Pros
- One of the best-looking knives out there.
- The blade has a nice Damascus pattern and made from 16 layers of forged steel for exceptional durability.
- It is resistant to stains and rust build-up.
- It is incredibly sharp. You can use it right after unboxing it.
- It is backed by good customer support.
- The handle has a good grip. Chopping ingredients do not have to put a strain on the hands.
Cons
- This might not be ideal for left-handed people. It is also quite expensive.
Which One Should You Get?
Make sure you decide better between these products with the help of the following:
Best Construction and Sharpness: Shun Classic Stainless Steel Nakiri Knife. We highly recommend spending a bit more money for this high-end Nakiri knife that does what it promises to do. It really is sharp, and it provides uniform cutting results without too much effort. It is also made from some of the best materials and constructed using the most durable engineering methods.
Great for the Budget-Conscious: Mercer Culinary Genesis Forged Nakiri Vegetable Knife. If you don’t fancy spending hundreds of dollars on this type of knife, get this one instead. It is more affordable, and you can get the same features and benefits even without spending a lot of money. It is still a durable option and will give you a good level of sharpness.
Value for Your Money: Dalstrong Nakiri Gladiator Series Asian Vegetable Knife. This knife allows you to get the features of a high-end model but without the costs. It is sharp and it can last for a long time even with very little maintenance.
Most Beautiful: Yoshihiro 16 Layer Hammered Damascus Stainless Steel Nakiri Vegetable Knife. This knife will truly take your breath away. It has real Damascus stainless steel unlike others that might only have laser imprinting. You can get a lot of sharpness from this knife and it also does not disappoint when it comes to how easy it is to maintain.
What to Look for When Buying the Best Nakiri Knife
To make sure you are getting the right Nakiri Knife for your needs, here are the things you need to check:
Blade Material. How long your Nakiri knife will work and how well it will function will depend on the materials of the blade. Steer clear from Nakiri knives with cheap blades made from low carbon stainless steel. They are generally prone to corrosion and they can get damaged easily. Go for those made from high carbon stainless steel instead. They can resist wear and tear and won’t corrode. They are also easier to maintain.
Handle. There should be a good balance between the blade and the handle so that the knife is easier to use. The handle should be made from a durable material that will not succumb to damage and corrosion easily. Also, look for those knives with an anti-slip handle or made from a material with grooves in order to provide better traction. These knives are also safer to use.
Pattern/Finish. Nakiri blades also come in different patterns and finishes. Tsuchime or hammered finish on the blade is better because it prevents food from sticking to the knife as you chop through them. This is actually convenient to use as it prevents you from having to stop just to get rid of the food sticking on the knife.
Price. You would want to compare the prices of the different Nakiri knives out there. Some are more expensive than others but that is most likely because they have materials that have a higher grade, or their engineering is better. You can still get a good Nakiri knife at a reasonable price though. Don’t completely avoid the ones with a lower price tag.
Warranty. Find out if the manufacturer includes a warranty with the purchase as this is an indication that it is a good product to buy. If it was delivered in a bad condition or it broke after a few uses, you can get a money back guarantee for your purchase.
If you keep these factors into consideration, you should be able to find a Nakiri Knife with the best features and one that will last you for a long time.
What to Do Next?
Now that you know all these, you should find out what other kitchen tools to invest on next. There are plenty of other recommended kitchen equipment and tools that will make life in the kitchen a lot easier and more convenient.