These days, Nakari knives are gaining popularity in Western kitchens. These knives are excellent at slicing through vegetables due to their straight blade and single bevel. They are also perfect for dicing and mincing vegetables due to their wide, flat blade.
The best Nakiri knife is the ultimate choice if you are searching for a tool to help you quickly and simply chop veggies. We will examine the top 11 Nakiri knives in this article so you can select the one that best suits your requirements.
Every single knife has its own merits. We have sorted these knives based on their quality, durability, features, pros, cons, and prices.
So, let’s get started!
Precision & versatility combined: The Best Nakiri Knife
Explore the Nakiri knives that offer exceptional performance and durability.
1. TUO Professional Chef Nakiri Knife
TUO Nakiri knife has a flat blade profile and a blunt front edge, making it popular among Asian knives. It offers you exceptional hardness, flexibility, and long-lasting performance thanks to the use of specially forged German stainless steel that has undergone exact vacuum heat treatment and Nitrogen cryogenic tempering.
It is a full-tang Nakiri knife. Therefore, this design gives it solid durability.
TUO Professional Chef Nakiri Knife
Sharp Blade
Its imported black Pakkawood handle features triple rivets for outstanding comfort and maneuverability. This Nakiri knife is lightly weighted. Hence, it is easy to hold, so your hand will not feel tired. The blade of this knife is made of high Carbon stain and corrosion-resistant German steel. In addition, the forged fabric gives its blade more durability and strength.
The hardness of the TUO Nakiri knife is 56±HRC. So, it can increase your efficiency when you are chopping and cutting. Moreover, this knife is easy to clean. You can also wash it with a dishwasher. Due to its quality and price, it is a good Nakiri knife for beginners.
Specs
Brand: TUO
Blade Material: Stainless Steel
Blade Edge: Plain
Product Dimensions: 16.51 x 0.25 x 5.6 cm
Color: Black Hawk
Item Weight: 0.25 Pounds
Handle Material: Pakkawood
Age Range: Adult
| Pros | Cons |
| Full-tang design | Needs regular honing |
| Comfortable ergonomic Pakkawood handle | Extremely flexible |
| Easy to hold | |
| Sharp blade | |
| Easy to sharp | |
| Amazing durability |
2. SHAN ZU Glass Fiber Handle Nakiri Knife
If you are looking for the best Nakiri knife made of premium Damascus steel, the SHAN ZU Nakiri knife is a great choice. This specific knife is made of 67-layer stainless steel. The most surprising thing about this knife is that the pattern on its blade is not a laser pattern.
Instead, it is featured with 62 Rockwell hardness tester. Compared to other knives, this Damascus Nakiri knife has a higher hardness. SHAN ZU Glass Giber Handle Nakiri knife is a multi-functional product that can be used for slicing vegetables, fruits, and meat.
SHAN ZU Glass Fiber Handle Nakiri Knife
Real Damascus Pattern
This knife is also designed with a full-tang design. Accordingly, you do not need to worry about separating the handle and the blade. Its blade is very sharp. Due to its blade’s excessive width, it offers additional flexibility. It has an ergonomic handle that gives you a firm grip. This handle minimizes hand fatigue.
The ergonomic handle gives you complete control of the knife. It comes with a beautiful gift box. In this way, you can gift this Nakiri knife to your Friends And Family.
Specs
Brand: SHAN ZU
Blade Material: Stainless Steel, Alloy Steel
Blade Edge: Plain
Product Dimensions: 12.07 x 1.97 x 0.7 inches
Color: Silver, Black
Item Weight: 1.17 Pounds
Handle Material: Stainless Steel, Steel
Age Range: Adult
| Pros | Cons |
| Full-tang knife | Requires regular sharpening |
| Real Damascus pattern | |
| Suitable for a gift | |
| Fiberglass handle | |
| Easy-to-hold handle | |
| Super sharp of 62 HRC | |
| Corrosion-resistant | |
| Value for money |
3. Kai All-Purpose Knife – Best for Chopping Vegetables
This is another great Nakiri knife that gives a helping hand to cooking enthusiasts and chefs for slicing vegetables and fruits. With its sharp edge, spine, and straight blade, this knife can help you give simple push cuts.
It is made from top-quality stainless steel; therefore, it is a stain and corrosion-resistant knife. You can sharpen its blade with ease. There is no extra effort required. Moreover, it offers extra edge retention.
Kai All-Purpose Nakiri Knife
Conventional Japanese Style
KAI Nakiri knife comes with a comfortable handle. It is made from Polypropylene. Hence, it is easy to hold. Another plus point of this knife is that it is hand sharpened at a 16-degree cutting edge. This specific angle allows you to cut vegetables easily.
Specs
Brand: KAI
Blade Material: High Carbon Stainless Steel
Blade Edge: Plain
Product Dimensions: 12 x 0.75 x 1.75 inches
Color: Steel
Item Weight: 7.8 Ounces
Handle Material: Stainless Steel, High-Carbon, Polypropylene
Age Range: Adult
| Pros | Cons |
| All-purpose chef knife | Needs sharpening |
| Conventional Japanese style | |
| Hand sharpened | |
| Straight blade | |
| Top-notch construction | |
| Corrosion-resistant blade | |
| Symmetrical handle | |
| Lightweight | |
| Superb edge retention |
The best Japanese Nakiri knife of 2023: 3 hand-picked products
These are the three most recommended Japanese Nakiri knives on the market:
i. TUO 8-Inch Japanese Nakiri Knife – Ergonomic Handle
It is an 8-inch kitchen Nakiri essential designed for both professionals. Crafted with precision and expertise, the TUO Japanese Nakiri knife is perfect for slicing and chopping vegetables.
It is made from premium-quality German high-carbon stainless steel. Additionally, it is a corrosion-resistant knife. The ergonomic handle of this knife provides the best grip. Most importantly, it comes in a gift box, making it the best Japanese Nakiri knife for gifting to cooking enthusiasts.
TUO 8-Inch Japanese Nakiri Knife
Conventional Japanese Style
Specs
Brand: TUO
Blade Material: Stainless Steel
Blade Edge: Serrated
Blade Length: 8 Inches
Package Dimensions: 13.82 x 3.43 x 1.5 inches
Color: Black Hawk
Item Weight: 13.7 Ounces
Handle Material: Stainless Steel
Age Range: Adult
ii. SUNLONG 8-Inch Gyuto Japanese Hammered Knife
The SUNLONG 8-inch Gyuto knife is a true masterpiece, crafted using the traditional techniques of Japanese knife-making. It has a stunning Damascus hammered pattern that enhances its beauty and performance.
On the other hand, its handle is made from the Bloodwood. This material is best known for its durability and comfortable grip. This Japanese Nakiri knife is perfect for slicing, dicing, and chopping. Overall, it is a nice knife with amazing craftsmanship.
8-Inch Gyuto Japanese Hammered Knife
Comfortable Grip
Specs
Brand: SUNLONG
Blade Material: Stainless Steel
Blade Edge: Plain
Blade Length: 8 Inches
Package Dimensions: 12.8 x 1.77 x 1.18 inches
Color: Brown Handle, Silver Blade
Item Weight: 0.23 Kilogram
Handle Material: Wood, Stainless Steel, Steel
Age Range: Adult
iii. ROCOCO Hand-Forged Vegetable Cleaver for Home Kitchen
The ROCOCO Nakiri knife is made by experienced blacksmiths using strong steel. It is very sharp and durable. Its handle is ebony and has a special shape that makes it comfortable to hold and not slippery. It would not make your fingers, palm, or wrist tired even if you use it for a long time.
It allows you to cut vegetables, fruits, and meat. It would make a nice gift for someone who loves the Japanese Nakiri knives for cooking.
ROCOCO Hand-Forged
Japanese Nakiri knife
Specs
Brand: ROCOCO
Blade Material: High Carbon Steel
Blade Edge: V-shaped
Blade Length: 7.4 Inches
Package Dimensions: 13.62 x 3.39 x 1.14 inches
Color: Black
Item Weight: 6.2 Ounces
Handle Material: Wood, Steel
Age Range: Adult
4. JapanBargain Usuba Vegetable Cleaver Chopper: the Best Nakiri Knife
This is another dynamic vegetable cleaver chopper Japanese Nakiri knife. This knife has a plain blade edge and is made of a high Carbon stainless steel blade.
You can easily sharpen its blade and prevent it from dullness.
It has an easy-to-hold wooden handle that can last longer. The plastic bolster on the handle functions as a strong grip. In addition, it offers full control of the knife while slicing and chopping vegetables.
JapanBargain Usuba Nakiri Knife
Razor-Sharp Blade
The length of its blade is 6-⅝ inch. It is dishwasher safe. It means that you can wash it with a dishwasher. You do not need to sharpen this knife when using it for the first time; it comes with pre-sharpening. You can use it multiple times without sharpening it.
However, when you feel this knife needs honing, you can sharpen it with a warthog sharpener. JapanBargain Usuba Nakiri knife is good for left-handed users.
It is a light and thin knife and superb for dicing vegetables.
Specs
Brand: JapanBargain
Blade Material: High Carbon Stainless Steel
Blade Edge: Plain
Product Dimensions: 15 x 2.8 x 1.1 inches
Color: Chrome
Item Weight: 0.3 Pounds
Handle Material: Plastic, Steel, Stainless Steel, High-Carbon
Age Range: Adult
| Pros | Cons |
| Razor-sharp blade | It’s good for left-handed people. |
| Easy to sharp | |
| Light-weighted knife | |
| Rust-resistant | |
| Comfortable wooden handle | |
| Balanced blade | |
| Awesome value | |
| Good for beginners |
5. WÜSTHOF Hollow Edge Nakiri Knife
WÜSTHOF has been in the cutlery industry for over two centuries. It is best known for manufacturing perfect-cutting kitchen knives. WÜSTHOF Hollow Edge knife is a full-tang design made of stainless steel blade material.
It is made from a single block of supreme Carbon Stainless Steel. Furthermore, it is then tempered to 58-degree HRC. Compared to previous models of WÜSTHOF knives, it has a double-edge retention.
WÜSTHOF Hollow Edge Nakiri Knife
Triple-Riveted Handle
This knife is specifically designed with a thinner blade than a conventional cleaver. It has a long straight edge. However, small air spaces are created between the blade and the food by the hollow edge’s vertical indentations, which are crafted with equal spacing.
It is designed to resist stains and corrosion. Additionally, it comes with a finger guard and a full bolster. This model’s triple-riveted synthetic Polypropylene handle gives you a comfortable grip. Plus, the handle does not discolor or fade.
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Specs
Brand: Wüsthof
Blade Material: Stainless Steel
Blade Edge: Plain
Product Dimensions: 12 x 3 x 1 inches
Color: Stainless Steel, Black
Item Weight: 0.37 Pounds
Handle Material: Polypropylene, Stainless Steel
Age Range: Adult
| Pros | Cons |
| Forged from one piece of metal | Challenging to sharpen yourself |
| Triple-riveted handle | |
| Full bolster makes working safe | |
| Finger guard | |
| Perfect for slicing & chopping fruit, vegetables, and herbs | |
| Incredibly sharp like a razor | |
| Corrosion-resistant blade | |
| Hollow-edge minimizes friction for good cuts |
6. TUO Vegetable Cleaver Nakiri Knife: 6.5 Inches Long
Using this 6.5-inch Nakiri knife, you can cut, slice, and dice fruit, vegetables, and fish. Moreover, you can also mince most meat with a TUO Nakiri knife. It is a well-balanced knife that offers precise cutting without getting tired. This Nakiri knife has a razor-sharp edge hand-sharpened by seasoned knife smiths.
Every single side of the blade is sharpened at 8-12 degrees. The tapered blade edge boosts its sharpness. In this way, you can enjoy the best cutting experience.
TUO Vegetable Cleaver Nakiri Knife
Anti-Slippery Handle
This knife, featuring a stunning wave pattern on its Japanese steel blade, offers exceptional rust and corrosion resistance. Luckily, this wave pattern on the blade prevents food from sticking to the blade. Instead, it improves slicing efficiency.
The full-tang design of this product balances the blade and the handle. Furthermore, its handle is non-slippery, enabling you to cut vegetables comfortably. This TUO Nakiri knife comes in an attractive gift box. So, it can be the right choice to gift your friends.
Plus, it comes with a cleaning cloth.
Specs
Brand: TUO
Blade Material: Stainless Steel
Blade Edge: Plain
Product Dimensions: 11 x 3.15 x 1.5 inches
Color: Black
Item Weight: 0.5 Pounds
Handle Material: Steel, Stainless Steel
Age Range: Adult
| Pros | Cons |
| Comes in an exquisite gift box | Too flexible blade |
| Offers precise cutting | Requires sharpening |
| Razor-sharp edge | |
| Full-tang construction | |
| Anti-slippery handle | |
| Amazing sea wave pattern |
7. Shun 5.5-Inch Blade, Premier Nakiri Knife
Shun Cutlery is known for making ultra-premium knives. This 5.5-inch Nakiri knife comes with a thin blade that gives a helping hand for cutting and slicing vegetables. Shun Thin Blade Premier knife is handcrafted in Japan by professionals. This particular knife has to pass through 100 individual steps until it achieves the final shape.
Shun Premier has a casual and elegant style thanks to the hammered finish, mirror blade polish, and intricately layered Damascus.
5.5-Inch Blade Premier Nakiri Knife
VG-MAX Cutting Core
Premier is made to offer incredibly agile control. Its blade is lightweight. Its Pakkawood handle offers you a secure grip. This walnut-colored handle does not harbor bacteria.
Whether you have a small or large palm, you can comfortably hold its handle. The brass ring and embossed endcap add balance and elegance. In simple words, you can use this Nakiri knife to prepare salads and slice vegetables.
Specs
Brand: Shun
Blade Material: Stainless Steel
Blade Edge: Asian Cutlery
Product Dimensions: 27.94 x 5.08 x 1.27 cm
Color: Black
Item Weight: 0.51 Pounds
Handle Material: Pakkawood
Age Range: Adult
| Pros | Cons |
| Full-tang design | Expensive |
| Razor sharp blade | Hard blade |
| VG-MAX cutting core | |
| Hand-hammered finish | |
| Incredible sharpness retention | |
| The comfortable grip on the handle |
8. KYOKU 7-Inch Nakiri Knife | Japanese Steel Core Damascus Blade
Kyoku 7-inch Nakiri knife is made from VG10 Japanese Damascus steel at HRG 58-60. Its long blade can give you unparallel performance. Additionally, it has amazing edge retention.
The straight blade of this knife makes sure that the knife slices through vegetables and meat with comfort.
Your fingers will not get fatigued in this way. Its blade is cryogenically treated for flexibility, hardness, and corrosion resistance. Thanks to its hollow-edge structure, the food does not get stuck on its blade.
KYOKU 7-Inch Nakiri Knife
Top-Level Japanese Steel
Its edge is sharpened by skilled artisans to a mirror polish at 8-12 degrees. Its triple riveted G10 handle is treated specially, making it heat and moisture-resistant.
The Kyoko brand mixed ancient craftsmanship with state-of-the-art technology to craft a top-notch and thin blade edge with ultimate performance. The mosaic-pin handle offers you a strong grip. Last, but not least, it has a full-tang construction.
Specs
Brand: KYOKU
Blade Material: 67-Layers Damascus Blade, Japanese VG10 Core
Blade Edge: Plain
Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 2.2 x 1 inches
Blade Color: Damascus
Item Weight: 0.66 Pounds
Handle Material: Alloy Steel
Age Range: Adult
| Pros | Cons |
| Top-level Japanese steel | Needs regular sharpening |
| Excellent design | |
| Powered by Cryogenic | |
| Full-tang construction | |
| Mosaic-pin handle |
9. TOJIRO Plain Edge Kitchen Knife
It is a full-tang Nakiri knife manufactured by TOJIRO, a renowned knife-making company. This knife is constructed with a core of VG-10 steel. It is a rust-resistant stainless steel blade. This Nakiri knife can be used for slicing and dicing vegetables.
The blade is extremely sharp. You can hone this blade easily.
TOJIRO Plain Edge Kitchen Knife
Triple-Ply Clad Manufacturing
Its handle fits well in hands; it is a non-slippery handle. The handle is durable that can last longer. The space between the handle and the blade has a ferrule that avoids accumulating dirt.
This knife is popular among professional chefs and cooking students that are looking for a knife within a tight budget. So, now is the time to experience the precision and reliability of this knife by TOJIRO, and uplift your culinary skills to new levels.
Specs
Brand: TOJIRO
Blade Material: Stainless Steel
Blade Edge: Plain
Product Dimensions: 29.21 x 6.86 x 2.03 cm
Color: Black
Item Weight: 0.42 Pounds
Handle Material: Steel, Stainless Steel
Age Range: Adult
| Pros | Cons |
| Full-tang design | Needs honing |
| Triple-ply clad manufacturing | |
| 60 Rockwell hardness | |
| Sharp blade | |
| Easy to re-sharpen | |
| Reasonable price |
10. Mercer Culinary Granton Edge Nakiri Knife
Mercer Culinary Nakiri knife is made from high Carbon steel that is corrosion and rust-resistant. The brand Mercer is NSF certified because its products meet safety standards.
Its taper-ground edge can help you to sharpen it efficiently. Moreover, this edge enhances your work efficiency when cutting and chopping vegetables.
Mercer Culinary Granton Edge Nakiri Knife
Double Bevel Knife
The ergonomic Santoprene handle of this product offers a non-slippery grip, even when you hold it with wet hands. The HRC rating of this knife is 56+/-1. It maintains sharpness for a longer period of time, but you should hone it most often.
This knife needs special care. You should wash it in a dishwasher because detergents and heat can impact its performance. You need to wash it with warm water and soap. After that, you should rinse it well and dry it with a towel.
Specs
Brand: Mercer Culinary
Blade Material: High Carbon Steel
Blade Edge: Hollow
Product Dimensions: 1.91 x 10.8 x 37.47 cm
Color: Black
Item Weight: 240 g
Handle Material: Santoprene
Age Range: Adult
| Pros | Cons |
| Quality product | Needs sharpening |
| Granton edge avoids food stickiness | The blade can get rusted when wet |
| Comfortable & non-slippery handle | |
| Double bevel knife | |
| Precision-forged German steel | |
| Bolster provides a fine grip | |
| Taper-ground edge |
11. Kitory Handmade Stainless Steel Nakiri Knife
Kitory manufactures knives in China. This knife has a specific blade pattern, a wooden handle, and a copper-carved bolster. The mind-blowing hammered style on the blade makes it cool. In addition, this texture also prevents food from sticking to the blade.
This handmade Nakiri knife can last longer.
Kitory Handmade Stainless Steel Nakiri Knife
Hammered-Finish Blade
The handle of this knife is made from Wengewood. So it is durable and comfortable. The balance between the blade and handle is perfect, which makes cutting a breeze. The handmade dragon bolster adds beauty and charm to this knife.
When you unbox this product, be sure that there will be a thick layer of oil on its blade for its protection. You need to clean this layer of oil before using it. Its blade is not made of stainless steel; thus, you must wash it and clean it after use. Otherwise, it may get rusted.
Specs
Brand: Kitory
Blade Material: Stainless Steel
Blade Edge: Plain
Product Dimensions: 15.12 x 5.24 x 2.05 inches
Color: LQC12
Item Weight: 9.6 Ounces
Handle Material: Wooden, Wooden Handle, Metal, Stainless Steel
Age Range: Adult
| Pros | Cons |
| Hammered-finish blade | The blade can get rusted |
| Beautiful dragon bolster | Needs honing before usage |
| Non-slippery wooden handle | |
| Premium Carbon steel | |
| Sharp knife | |
| Exquisite pattern |
To Sum Up
There are several amazing Nakiri knives on the market. The best Nakiri knife for you will depend on your budget and needs.
These are the top-rated Nakiri knives in 2023:
- TUO Professional Chef Nakiri Knife
- SHAN ZU Glass Fiber Handle Nakiri Knife
- Kai All-Purpose Knife – Best for Chopping Vegetables
- JapanBargain Usuba Vegetable Cleaver Chopper
- TUO Vegetable Cleaver Nakiri Knife: 6.5 Inches Long
- Shun 5.5-Inch Blade Premier Nakiri Knife
- KYOKU 7-Inch Nakiri Knife | Japanese Steel Core Damascus Blade
- TOJIRO Plain Edge Kitchen Knife
- Mercer Culinary Granton Edge Nakiri Knife
- Kitory Handmade Stainless Steel Nakiri Knife
What are you waiting for?
Start chopping vegetables like a pro today!
