Best Nakiri Knife

6.5'' Nakiri Knife | Frost Fire Series | Dalstrong ©

Best Nakiri Knife

Crusader Series 7" Nakiri - NSF Certified

Any chef or home cook worth their salt knows just how vital the nakiri knife is. But the average amatuer home cook may not know exactly what a Japanese style knife is, and probably couldn’t tell you the difference in a nakiri knife, a santoku knife or a usuba knife.

If you spend much time in your kitchen however, the nakiri knife is one of the most useful knives you can have. The word “nakiri” can be broken down to “na” meaning ‘leaf’ in Japanese, and ‘kiri’ meaning ‘cutting’. The nakiri knife can chop vegetables with an unparalleled level of precision. So what is the best nakiri knife? It depends on what exactly you’re looking for in the knife, but we have some suggestions for you.

1. What Is A Nakiri Knife?

7'' Nakiri Knife | Valhalla Series | Dalstrong ©

So what exactly is a nakiri knife anyway? And more importantly, where can I find a good nakiri knife? It’s not just a kitchen knife, but a Japanese vegetable knife. While a chef knife such as the santoku blade has a sharp tip, the classic nakiri knife has a unique and recognizable blade shape: a large rectangular shaped, thin, flat blade. And it is typically used for mincing, slicing, dicing or chopping vegetables.

Without the sharp tip of other knives, it is not typically used for very precise cutting tasks, but its rectangular blade and flat edge can chop any type of veggie on your cutting board quickly and efficiently. So if you’re asking yourself, “Do I need a nakiri knife?”, if you cook vegetables at all, the answer is yes! Whether cutting carrots or cucumber, this addition to your knife set is a must-have for anyone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen!

The best nakiri knives have the following attributes:

Blade Type

Choose knives that have high carbon stainless steel blades. High carbon stainless steel maintains its sharp blade edge longer, guaranteeing your knife’s durability. Additionally, knives made of this material don’t require as much effort for blade retention to keep that super sharp edge.

Blade Length

Ideally, these knives should have a blade length not exceeding 7 inches. This allows you to cut through delicate vegetables with ease. Such a blade length reduces the number of cutting motions you need to make.

Handle Build

The best nakiri knives have a thoughtfully designed handle. Look for a knife with an ergonomic handle. It should align with the curve of your hand, offering a firm yet comfortable grip while you’re chopping. Moreover, avoid knives with handles made of low-grade materials.

Despite their general level of effectiveness, nakiri knives aren't all made the same. So what makes each of these nakiri knives a cut above the rest?

2. Dalstrong Shogun Series X Nakiri Knife

Shogun Series X 6" Nakiri Knife

The best way to describe this Shogun knife is as a vegetable assassin. Given the 60-day painstaking handcrafted process it undergoes, this is no surprise.

This powerhouse features a razor-sharp blade that’s also wide. And its large, flat blade can easily scoop up and transfer chopped vegetables from the cutting board.

A single piece of high-carbon Damascus steel is used to forge the blade. And not just any ordinary blade, but one that’s 55mm wide, acute at 10 degrees per side, and has a 7-inch blade length. To achieve this, the traditional Japanese Honbazuke 3-step method is employed.

Another outstanding aspect of this knife is its exquisite hammered tsuchime finish. While it makes for a striking look, this isn’t only a beautiful statement in craftsmanship. It also serves the purpose of reducing drag so as not to stick on food.

Moreover, it's exceptional at push-cut motion while chopping. This is a result of how well its nose, spine, and straight blade edge come together.

You’ll be glad to know that this nakiri retains its blade edge well, given the work and premium materials that go into it.

A powerful, sharp blade would be wasted if coupled with a dissatisfactory handle. Which is why this knife sports only the finest G-10 Garolite handle. It is meticulously constructed, and possesses the following characteristics:

Highly impervious to heat, cold, and moisture
Military-grade strength and life-long durability
Ergonomic wooden handle shape for superior hand control, agility, and comfort
Carefully hand polished
Beautifully crafted copper mosaic pin adorning the center rivet for added distinction.

3. Dalstrong Phantom Series Nakiri Knife

Phantom Series Nakiri 6" Vegetable Knife

The Phantom nakiri vegetable knife’s design conveys a look of stealthy motion.

Its arresting look is overshadowed only by its performance. While it stays true to the Japanese nakiri principle of delivering graceful cuts, its capability is heightened to a ruthless extent.

Its blade has the following characteristics:

A 6-inch blade length
Precision-forged from premium ice-tempered Japanese stainless steel
A Rockwell hardness score of 58

Above the straight edge are divots running along the blade, called a granton edge. These minimize friction while chopping, offering seamless cuts while reducing drag on the cutting board.

It doesn’t hurt that they give the knife an edgy yet elegant look too.

True to the traditions of Japanese knife artisanship, the blade on this nakiri is accentuated by embossed Japanese characters.

It’s only fitting that this Japanese knife comes with a Japanese pakkawood handle. Ordinarily, pakkawood may be susceptible to moisture. But at Dalstrong, “ordinary” isn’t part of our vocabulary. Only the highest grade of imported pakkawood is used. This is then polished and laminated, making it impervious to moisture and bacteria.

Complimenting such a prime handle material is an ergonomic design. It ensures this knife fits snugly in your hand. A carefully crafted brass and copper ‘phantom’ mosaic adorn, the handle for a refined look.

Learn more about where Dalstrong Knives are manufactured here!

4. Dalstrong Gladiator Series Nakiri Knife

Gladiator Series 7" Nakiri Knife

Chopping vegetables within a limited time can be a battle. In such a situation, you could very easily find your skills, expertise, and patience put to the test. The only way to win is to enlist a champion that will bring down anything standing in your way.

When the pressures of a demanding professional or home kitchen threaten to weigh you down, the Gladiator nakiri is the only hero you need. As its name suggests, this double-bevel knife is designed to conquer. It combines elements of a chef’s knife with those of a vegetable cleaver.

This Nakiri blade is made of ultra-premium ThyssenKrupp German stainless steel. This ensures an ultra-sharp edge with excellent wear and stain resistance.

Here are some of the blade’s distinctive features:

7-inch blade length
Hand sharpened to 14-16 degrees per side
Beautiful hand-polished satin finish
Full tang for incredible robustness & quality
Easy cleaning for low maintenance

For maximum comfort, the handle is constructed from imported polished pakkawood. The handle is designed to offer a proper grip and maximum maneuverability.

Moreover, this nakiri has a mirror-polished, finger protective bolster. It offers perfectly engineered balance with just the right heft.

5. What Kind Of Nakiri Knives Do Michelin Chefs Use?

One of Dalstrong’s culinary partners is Three-Star Michelin Chef, Dominque Crenn. As one of the most accomplished and celebrated female chefs in the world, her work and success speaks for itself. Her preferred Nakiri is the Crusader Series 7” Nakiri Knife.

6. Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference in a Nakiri Knife and a Santoku Knife?

As we’ve discussed, a nakiri knife is a vegetable knife. It’s large, rectangular shaped blade make it most useful for chopping vegetables. A Santoku knife with its more traditional shape and sharp tip is a multi-use, general purpose kitchen knife.

What is the difference in a Nakiri Knife and a Usuba Knife?

The Usuba knife is another rectangular shaped vegetable knife, somewhat similar to the Nakiri in appearance and function. However, the Usuba is a single bevel knife with a thicker spine and tall, thin blade made for very precisely and thinly slicing vegetables.

How Do You Sharpen Your Nakiri Knife?

If you’re investing in a good, high-quality knife, it’s important the properly care for it. And that includes sharpening it frequently. Exactly how often depends on the frequency of use, but a good rule of thumb is about once per month. We have a great knife sharpening guide here.

7. Elevate Your Culinary Experience With Dalstrong

If you take your craft as seriously as we do ours, you shouldn’t settle for anything less than exceptional. Using substandard kitchen equipment is a grave disservice to yourself, and all who partake of your culinary offerings.

Whatever your needs may be, and regardless of your preferred blade length, we’ve got the nakiri knife for you.

When you choose Dalstrong kitchen knives, you’re doing more than merely making a purchase. You’re enhancing everything you do to deliver phenomenal dishes that impress.

Dalstrong knives have gained eminence for how well they handle an array of kitchen tasks. And that’s because our knives are akin to a natural extension of your hand, working harmoniously alongside you.

Invest in a Dalstrong nakiri knife today and enjoy: