Would you like to be able to get thin slices of vegetables like in the picture? we have a solution for you!
These thin slices of vegetables are the result of the work of a Japanese knife. A typical Japanese vegetable knife, the name is Nakiri bocho. We knew this Japanese knife when we searched for the right knife to slice vegetables easily and quickly. Finally we found the Japanese Nakiri knife, with a light, sharp blade, this knife is very easy to complete various jobs in the kitchen in serving vegetables. We consider this the right solution for kitchen work related to vegetables.
What is Nakiri Knife?
It’s name in Japanese is Nakiri bocho, which means “knife for cutting greens”. Besides Nakiri Bocho, this Japanese-style knife is also known as “usuba bocho”, or “thin knife”. Its main function is to slice vegetables as thinly as possible or to obtain vegetables of various shapes and styles.
Piasu Nakiri is made in a square style, the way of cutting it is different from a chef’s knife. This knife uses a vertical cutting motion rather than a horizontal cut. The blade is very thin, this allows the Nakiri knife to cut vegetables as thin as possible (paper-thin). If the blade is heavy and thick, it will break the vegetables when you slice them.
Do you want this knife but think about the expenses that you have to save? Don’t worry, this Japanese Nakiri knife is very affordable with your pocket. If you find this interesting for you, please continue reading this article because we will review some of the best Nakiri knives.
Best Nakiri Knife to Have
1. Best Overall: Dalstrong Gladiator Series Nakiri Vegetable Knife
One of the best Nakiri knives from all sides that we have analyzed is the Dalstrong Gladiator Series Nakiri Vegetables. Western and Japanese Nakiri knives are almost indistinguishable and both are very helpful and provide the best vegetable cutting experience. So, we chose both for our daily needs in the kitchen. The Nakiri knife combines German stainless steel with a thin, blade that can reach all the vegetables you want to slice.
A brief conclusion about the Dalstrong Gladiator Series Nakiri knife is that it is sharp, durable, easy to maintain, and comfortable to use. When compared with the price, the benefits are felt and extraordinary. At an affordable price but can provide premium benefits.
Dalstrong Gladiator Series Nakiri blades use high carbon stainless steel. This Japanese-style knife is made in Germany. It is durable against corrosion, and almost as hard as Japanese steel. With a profile like this, the Dalstrong Gladiator Series Nakiri Knives give you amazing sharpness and edge retention. You can sharpen it every 6 months or a year.
This knife is forged from a single piece of steel from the tip of the blade to through the hilt. This knife making technique provides good knife resistance and gives your knife a long life. This Nakiri knife provides great balance and great safety when working in the kitchen.
The broken tip provides greater safety and you don’t have to worry about getting stabbed with this knife. But you have to be careful with the sharp blades.
Pros
- Using high carbon stainless steel, corrosion resistance and durable
- Made with full tang construction for long life, and maximum balance.
- The full bollard is an innovative addition and it adds even more balance to the blade.
Cons
- Every knife series from Dalstrong has a goofy name
See too: Best Meat Slicer: Choose The Best One for You
2. Best Value: Mercer Culinary Genesis Nakiri Vegetable Knife
CHECK BEST NAKIRI KNIFE ON AMAZON
A chef who values a budget, he will really appreciate the work of a knife like the Mercer Culinary Genesis Nakiri Knife. This knife is also made using high carbon steel with an ergonomic handle making it a knife that has a higher price of up to two or even three times. With that price, you can get the plus point, which is the best-in-class warranty. This is really a very valuable Nakiri knife and can help you in various jobs in the kitchen.
Mercer Culinary Genesis Nakiri Knife is made of premium material (high carbon stainless steel), not only sharp but also very strong and thin. The thinness of this knife allows you to slice any vegetable to an unusual size. The Mercer Culinary Genesis Nakiri knife is also made using full construction pliers and this will increase the life of your knife.
Uniquely, the Mercer Culinary Genesis Nakiri Knife comes with a full lifetime warranty, beyond the 1 year satisfaction guarantee. The price is quite affordable and this is good for a safe investment in the long term.
The handle of the Mercer Culinary Genesis Nakiri Knife uses Santoprene which is considered an innovative material in today’s knives. This material is as comfortable as hardwood. Even santoprene has other advantages, it is non-slip and bacteria resistant.
In conclusion: This handle is really comfortable, safe and hygienic. Also, the handle of this knife provides excellent balance for light blades.
Pros
- Affordable price as nakiri knives come
- Using high quality steel, sharp edges, and durable
- The handle is non-slip, comfortable and not secure.
Cons
- Possibly not giving enough clearance to all chefs
Also read: 3 Types of Abrasive Cleaners and The Benefits
3. Best Upgrade: Miyabi Evolution Nakiri Knife
CHECK THE BEST PRICE IN AMAZON
The Miyabi Evolution Nakiri Knife is a product of Zwelling Henckels, the Japanese branch. This knife provides the ultimate in experience, combining the best in Japanese tradition with German Innovation. This combination produces a Nakiri knife that is very sharp, more durable, more comfortable, even more comfortable than all the knives we have ever used.
The Miyabi Evolution Nakiri Knife is made of FC61 grade steel. It is a fine carbide steel, allows for a sharper blade, and is more durable than other high carbon steels. Then, during the manufacturing process, the steel is treated with a special ice-hardening process to provide exceptional edge retention.
The Miyabi Evolution Nakiri Knife is also paired with a full tang construction, this provides an excellent balance of knife use and durability between different types of knives. The handle is also ergonomic and lightweight. With the Miyabi Evolution Nakiri Knife, you can get precise cuts of food and vegetables.
If you have enough budget for your kitchen, then this knife is the best choice and works fantastic for you.
Pros
- The blade of the knife uses special steel so that it looks thinner, and the sharpest ever
- Ice hardened finish makes this Nakiri knife very durable (durable)
- Unmatched in precession cutting (An excellent choice)
Cons
- Expensive!
Some of the Best Nakiri Knife Alternatives
What is the right knife for your job? Perhaps individual preferences are the main benchmark in choosing the best knife for you. So, the best knives for a chef aren’t just limited to the three types of nakiri knives we mentioned. There are various other types of knives that you can use according to your preferences.
The three Nakiri knives above are just three types of the best Nakiri knives from various sides according to our assessment. So, if you want to choose another knife, it can also be the best for you if you are experienced with one particular knife.
Well, therefore, we have selected 4 other types of knives that are best for a particular person.
1. Tojiro Kitchen Knife F-502 – The best choice for multiple chefs
The Tojiro Kitchen Knife F-502 is crafted from a VG-10 steel core, this is the only great posau that can possibly compete with the three best Nakiri knives above. The blade is thin and super strong. This knife provides 60 Rockwell hardness, which in turn results in a thin edge.
This is an excellent knife, but we didn’t include it on the list because it offers very little knuckle clearance. For those of you who have smaller hands, playing this knife is perfect for you.
2. Shun Premier 5.5 Inch Nakiri Knife – The most beautiful knife in its class
Shun is the best knife manufacturer in Japan, part of the reason is that they remain committed to making traditional Japanese knives. But in terms of their Nakiri knife, we don’t think it’s a match between the price and the performance of the knife.
By using natural wood accents, the Shun Premier 5.5 Inch Nakiri Knife will become a beautiful and attractive knife.
See also: Best Essential Oil for Scars: Remove Scars From Your Skin Naturally
3. Wusthof Classic Hollow Edge Nakiri Knife – German Engineering At A Premium Price
A knife made in Germany that cannot be underestimated. The Wusthof Classic Hollow Edge Nakiri Knife is another option for those who like the Miyabi Evolution knife on the list above. Both are blades of high quality steel, forged by hand and using full tang to provide great balance. This also makes it a very sharp knife. In terms of weight, the Wusthof Classic Hollow Edge knife is slightly heavier than the Miyabi Evolution.
For those of you who like to use western knives, it may be very safe to use a knife with a heavy weight. But for us a lighter knife would be better, so we prefer the Mitabi Evolution which is lighter in weight.
4. Yoshihiro Hammered Damascus Usuba Vegetable Knife – Traditional Japanese Style
The Yoshihiro Hammered Damascus Usuba is the best vegetable slicing knife available in Japan. This is a traditional Japanese knife, it is made from hammered Damascus steel.
The profile of the blade looks thin, the handle is hard wood with an octagon, there are details of the work of art in the manufacture of the handle. If I have a high kitchen budget, then I will use the Yoshihiro Hammered Damascus Usuba as the best knife in my kitchen.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Nakiri Knife
Before you buy a Nakiri knife, you must understand the buying guide so that you can get the knife that you want.
In choosing the best Nakiri knife, there are several things you should understand and pay attention to. We have provided this guide for you to read before buying the best Nakiri knife.
1. Materials
Choosing a knife must know what material it is made of. A knife will be good if the material is good and of good quality. To choose a nakiri knife, there are three things that you need to pay attention to in terms of material:
High carbon steel blade
The handle must be natural wood or hard synthetic material
Using a full tang construction, this is steel extending from the tip of the blade through the butt of the handle.
Well, if you have got those three factors, this is an indication that the Nakiri knife you choose is sharp, durable, and comfortable to use.
2. Handle
The handle on the Nakiri Pisa has two main functions, namely as a comfortable grip and balancing its weight.
The curved blade handle offers an ergonomic grip. The straight grip gives complete control and you should choose a grip that can leave enough room for your fingers.
Nakiri knives are made of synthetic handles or natural wood. The handle made of synthetic material is more hygienic and slip-resistant. While the natural wood handle will give an attractive and beautiful appearance.
3. Blade
The blade also really determines a quality Nakiri knife. So when you choose the best knife among the Nakiri, pay attention to the following points.
- The height of the Nakiri knife must match the shape of the handle to allow for more flexibility in your knuckles. The height of the Nakiri blade is usually between 1 to 1.5 inches.
- The weight of your knife is something that differentiates Nakiri knives from others. This knife is designed for precise, fast and agile cuts, so this knife is made with the lightest possible weight.
- The blade length of each Nakiri knife is the difference between each brand of Nakiri knife. The shortest blade measures 5.5 inches, while 7.5 inches is the top end of length. With the professional experience of a chef, he will choose a blade with a tip length of 6.5 to 7 inches. This is the real sweet spot for a Nakiri’s blade.
- The thickness of the Nakiri knife corresponds to its weight. Unlike the case with a machete where the back is thicker. The Nakiri knives are of equal thickness so they are perfect for slicing various types of vegetables as thinly as possible.
- Then, notice the balance. This balance comes from all the things that have been described. When you cut it will feel almost weightless at all. This is due to the materials used for the blades, handles, bolsters and forging processes.
4. Cost
Then the thing that matters to you about a knife is the price. You have to pay according to the benefits and the period of use. So, shell out a price for how long you have to use it.
For a professional chef, of course, spending a lot of money on a knife that you use every day is not a scary thing. This actually provides many advantages for you. Remember you wear it every day in your work. For a high quality Nakiri knife, a home cook is suitable to spend under $100, the benefits will be felt in your every work.