The Best Nakiri Knife for Chopping Vegetables – Top 5 Options

Whether you’re a home cook or a professional chef, having a great vegetable knife is crucial. Though it’s favored by many, the average inexperienced home cook may not precisely know what the Japanese elegance knife is.

While popular among professional cooks, the average home chef may not know which Japanese vegetable knife will best suit them. Do you know the difference between an Usuba knife, a Nakiri knife, and a Santoku knife? Learning so can elevate your kitchen skill set!

If you’re a beginner, you should consider investing in a Nakiri knife. Nakiri knives are among the most helpful knives you can have in the kitchen. The word “Nakiri” is derived from the word “Na” implying “leaf” and “Kiri” which means “cutting” in Japanese.

You can use a Nakiri knife to chop your veggie ingredients with ease. But what’s the best Nakiri knife on the market today? All this depends on what you’re searching for in a knife. Thankfully, we’ve put together some great suggestions to help you on your shopping journey. Let’s dive in!

What is a Nakiri Knife?

Exactly what’s a Nakiri knife? And most importantly, where can one get an excellent Nakiri knife?

A Nakiri knife isn’t an ordinary kitchen knife, rather, it is a Japanese veggie knife. Although a chef knife like the Santoku blade comes with an acuminated tip, the classic Nakiri knife features a one-of-a-kind blade shape.

It has a large, slender, and level rectangular blade. Usually, you can use the straight blade found on a Nakiri knife to chop, dice, and mince veggies. However, you cannot use the Nakiri knife for accurate chopping tasks as it doesn’t have an acuminated tip like other knives.

However, its level edge and rectangular blade can cut any vegetable type on your chopping board fast and effectively. You may be asking yourself “Is a Nakiri knife indispensable?” If you prepare vegetables regularly, the answer is yes!

Whether you’re chopping cucumber or carrots, the Nakiri knife is a must-have in your knife set collection if you spend most of your time in the kitchen. Let’s explore some great options below.

Review of Top 5 Best Nakiri Knife for Chopping Vegetables

Below is a review of the top 5 Nakiri knives on Amazon.

1. Shun Cutlery Classic Nakiri 6.5-Inch Knife

Features

• Thin 6.5-inch-long blade
• Sleek Pakkawood handle
• Hollow-ground feature
• Razor-sharp and perfectly shaped blade
• Full tang
• Attractive Damascus pattern
• Long-lasting sharpness

As part of Shun’s classic line, this blade stresses performance, form, and gorgeousness. The blade is manufactured using proprietary VG-MAX steel covered in 68 separate strata of Damascus stainless steel.

It gives this Nakiri knife its one-of-a-kind look and makes the knife versatile and enduring. The knife’s blade is 6.5 inches long and is excellent for preparing everyday gourmet veggies and salads.

You can utilize this knife for chopping, paring, trimming, julienning, and even peeling with its razor-sharp edge. The entire blade is easy to clean and, therefore, it’s a great choice if you’re busy.

The blade’s handle is manufactured from the well-known Pakkawood, making it stain-resistant with a non-slip grip. The handle is fastened twice to the rust-resistant blade. Thus, you can use it frequently as it’s sturdy and firmly held together.

It’s important to note that the Shun Classic Nakiri Knife isn’t dishwasher-safe and needs hand washing to retain its rust-resistant design.

Do not leave it soaked in water as doing so will make it prone to rusting or damage the pakkawood handle. Wash it with warm water and soap immediately after using it, dry it, and store it in a cool dry place.

This knife comes with a sharpener, making it easy to upkeep! The Shun knife is in its class and worth every penny as compared to other vegetable knives. You should consider this excellent cutlery if you’re searching for a Japanese style knife that you can use to chop veggies. You won’t regret it.

Pros

• Comes with a long handle and a nice hefty blade
• Offers a good grip for both small and large-sized hands
• Lasts long
• Makes the vegetables and fruit chopping procedure easy
• Effective at chopping veggies as compared to a traditional knife

Cons

• Costly as compared to other knife brands on this list

2. TUO Vegetable Cleaver 6.5-Inch Nakiri Knife

Features

• Fatigue canceling handle
• Equipped with an attractive gift box
• High rust resistance level
• Marvelous edge retention
• Exceptional chopping functionality
• 6.5-inch-long blade

Due to their fibrous and difficult-to-chew composition, vegetables need good knives. If you want something supple and ergonomic, the TUO Nakiri knife is an excellent option.

This Nakiri knife is manufactured using pure steel. It comes with a razor-sharp blade and is excellent at edge retention. Since this is a Nakiri knife, the blade is rectangular and has a sharp finish on one side.

To enhance the user experience, it has a corrosion and stain-resistant Packwood handle that feels comfortable on the hands. The handle won’t fracture no matter what you may subject it to. It’s securely bolted to the blade. Additionally, it has a gentle curve to makes the chopping procedure easy.

To make the shopping process pleasant for the customer, this Nakiri knife comes with a lifetime guarantee. It also comes with a satisfaction guarantee, meaning you’ll be given a full refund if you’re not happy with the functionality of this 5-inch blade.

Pros

• The acuminated blade is easy to maintain and clean
• Can endure hot and chilly temperatures
• Strong and, therefore, it can cater to your cutting requirements
• Manufactured using premium quality materials
• Packaged in an attractive gift box
• Illuminates the kitchen with its country-style appearance

Cons

• Rusts easily

3. Mercer 7-Inch Culinary Genesis Nakiri Vegetable Knife

Features

• High carbon anti-stain steel build
• 7-inch-long blade
• Taper-ground edge adds stability
• Bolster reinforces the knife
• Ergonomic Santoprene handle
• Tang offers an excellent balance

The Mercer Nakiri Vegetable knife features a Santoprene handle that’ll give you all the comfortable and balanced grip that you need to chop vegetables effectively. It’s manufactured using the best workmanship and ergonomics for your chopping requirements.

These Nakiri knives are made of forged steel with high carbon content, making them stain and rust resistant. You can acuminate this knife’s blade safely as it comes with a taper-ground edge. The Mercer Nakiri Knife also has a potent cushioning for additional potency and balance.

The knife is equipped with precision-forged construction to make your cutting tasks more stable. With proper care and maintenance, it stays sharp for a long time. This Nakiri knife can also endure hot and chilly temperatures.

The Nakiri knife’s tang runs the entire length of this perfectly made handle. Make sure that you only hand-wash this rust-resistant German steel. Also, ensure that you don’t leave this Nakiri knife in a stainless steel or aluminum sink, as they can affect the blade.

Pros

• Pocket-friendly price
• Easy to sharpen
• The handle has textured finger points for slide resistance
• Stain and rust-resistant
• Provides a cozy and balanced grip
• Excellent balance for improved handling

Cons

• If you mishandle it, it can constitute a safety risk due to its ultra-sharpness

4. Henckels 6.5-Inch CLASSIC Christopher Kimball Edition Nakiri Knife

Features

• High-quality German stainless steel
• Long-lasting sharpness
• Ergonomic and conventional triple-riveted handle
• Expert satin-finished blade
• Single-piece precision-forged build
• Full tang style
• 6.5-inch blade length

Chef Christopher Kimball created the 6.5-inch Henckels Classic Nakiri Knife. It’s ideal for chopping, dicing, and slicing large fruits and veggies. You can form accurate juliennes and thin chops with this knife.

The Nakiri knife comes with a rectangular and broad blade that gives it a cleaver feeling, with the versatility of a chef’s knife. The Henckels Nakiri knife is designed on a conventional Japanese vegetable cleaver and can make any preparation work easy and fast.

The knife’s blade is manufactured in Spain. It comes with an expert satin-finish reinforced by premium quality German stainless steel. It also has a seamless transition from the handle to the knife’s blade, offering both longevity and balance.

The ergonomic handle is triple-riveted and, therefore, you get an exhaustion-free chopping. Also, it’s dishwasher safe.

Pros

• Produces a smooth chop
• Easy to handle even for people with small hands
• Offers a firm grip to facilitate chopping
• Has excellent equilibrium
• Durable

Cons

• The knife’s handle is somewhat uncomfortable

5. DALSTRONG 6-Inch Phantom Series Japanese AUS8 Steel High Carbon Nakiri Knife

Features

• A blade length of 6 inches
• Precision-forged using high-quality ice-tempered Japanese stainless steel
• A grade of 58 – Rockwell hardness
• Has a sheath
• Hammered finish
• Tapered blade model
• Hand-polished blade spine

The design of the Phantom Nakiri knife portrays an appearance of concealed motion. Not only is it eye-catching, but it’s also extremely functional in the kitchen. With this knife, you’ll be able to make graceful chops with ease.

On top of the straight edge, this Nakiri knife has divots that run along the blade, known as a Granton edge. They lessen the friction when cutting veggies and, therefore, ensures seamless chops, minimizing drag on the chopping board.

Additionally, this Japanese knife is equipped with a Japanese Pakkawood handle. Usually, Pakkawood will most likely be affected by dampness. However, at Dalstrong, “ordinary” isn’t part of their vocabulary. Dalstrong uses premium quality imported Pakkawood when manufacturing their knives.

This Pakkawood is refined and laminated and, therefore, it becomes immune to bacteria and dampness. An ergonomic design complements such a first-class handle material.

This way, the Nakiri knife fits comfortably in your hand. For a more refined appearance. The knife also comes with a cautiously crafted copper and brass mosaic decoration.

Pros

• Outstanding finishes
• The knife’s blade is dependable and durable
• Blade lessens drag as it’s carefully tapered
• Has triple rivets for safety and excellent stability
• Manufactured using premium quality materials
• Long-lasting
• Requires low maintenance as it’s easy to clean

Cons

• Can develop rust spots

Best Nakiri Knife for Chopping Vegetables – Buyer’s Guide

Whether you’re an expert or a home cook, selecting knives for your kitchen chores is a crucial task. Of course, you can walk into any retail store and buy the most appealing set you can get. But is it wise to do that?

If you would like to enhance your preparation skills and up your vegetable cutting game, then investing in the right knife is key. You should consider a Nakiri knife if you want to start a collection of high-quality kitchen tools and improve your cooking skills. If you’re ready to purchase the best Nakiri knife for you, be sure to consider the following factors.

The Blade Material

This is a crucial consideration when selecting a Nakiri knife for chopping vegetables. Although many contemporary knives are made of steel, don’t forget that all stainless-steel knives aren’t the same.

When selecting a Japanese knife, there are two types. Each of them differs depending on the amount of carbon in it. The carbon content ascertains the Nakiri knife’s quality.

Low Carbon Content

If the knife’s blade is low in carbon, it gets blunt quickly. This blade type is softer as compared to one with a high amount of carbon. A blade with low carbon requires regular acuminating.

High Carbon Content

Nakiri knives with high carbon content mixed in the stainless steel remain sharp for a long time. It’s easier to acuminate blades with high carbon. They also need minimal maintenance.

The Handle

A knife is risky, and you must use it well to achieve the results you desire. The best Nakiri knife is one with an ergonomic handle. Once the knife’s handle fits cozily and naturally in your hand, it’ll be easier to hold, squeeze, and utilize effectively.

Also, it’s crucial to get one with sufficient knuckle clearance for your hand to stop injuries, accidents, or distress.

The Blade’s Finish

Perhaps you’ve observed that vegetables usually stick to the blade of your knife when you’re chopping them. If your knife’s blade has the correct finish, then this won’t happen.

Usually, Nakiri knives come with a hammered finish, also known as “Tsuchime” in Japanese. The hand-hammered finish reduces air resistance when chopping. This way, food will not stick to the knife’s blade.

Also, vegetables will not stick to the sides of the blade if it comes with a Granton edge. Thanks to these types of finishes, air pockets are formed when you cut food. With this, food doesn’t get stuck to the sides of the blade.

Versatility

It’s one of the most notable advantages of the Nakiri knife. Although a Nakiri knife is like a Santoku knife in numerous ways (and has a close resemblance to an Usuba), it’s easier to acuminate.

Also, it’s much more convenient for a casual cook to use. Additionally, it’s not that fragile – nothing can compare to purchasing a premium blade!

Cost per Performance

As a consumer, sometimes you may blindly say, “If it’s costlier, then it has to be better,” or “you’ll get whatever you pay for.” Although it may be true, that’s not always the case.

There are cases where you can purchase a kitchen knife via distinct distribution channels that enhance its mark-up. In other instances, a maker may provide better discounts to create a client base.

As soon as you’ve determined your budget, the other thing you should do is to find out what’s crucial for you. From there, inspect the items in your list one by one until you find the ideal knife for you.

For instance, let’s assume you want to spend 100 dollars to purchase a Nakiri knife. You must ensure that you get a forged knife. What next? Maybe you would like to select Japanese super steel such as VG-1O or SG2, among other considerations.

The Angle of the Cutting Edge

You’ll require a lower angle if you want an acuminated cut. Usually, Nakiri knives range from eight to 12 degrees.

For a novice, a 12-degrees angle is ideal. Therefore, don’t be too concerned with this measurement. If you’ve practiced for some time with the knife and can handle an acuminated knife, find a Nakiri knife that is in the 8-degree range.

Blade Length

In addition to its longevity and sharpness, a Nakiri knife is equipped with a mid-sized blade as compared to other knives used in the kitchen. Usually, the minimum length of a Nakiri knife is five inches. It makes cutting vegetables safe, simple, and comfortable.

Conclusion

If you invest in a Nakiri knife for chopping vegetables, you’ll be making one of the best upgrades possible for your kitchen. These knives are extremely helpful if you want to prepare veggies, fruits for salads, and other foods.

The numerous options on the market may make it hard for you to get the best Nakiri knife suitable for you. The samples found in this article showcase five of the best Nakiri knives for chopping vegetables that you can consider, making the choice a little easier.

Remember, you should consider your budget and the knife length you need before you’re ready to purchase. These factors will allow you to select the ideal option suitable for your kitchen, helping to minimize your choices. Have fun shopping!

Best Nakiri Knives Comaprison

Product Image	Product Name	Dimensions	Price
	Shun Cutlery Classic Nakiri 6.5-Inch Knife	12.01 x 1.97 x 0.98 inches	$$
	TUO Vegetable Cleaver 6.5-Inch Nakiri Knife	11.34 x 0.09 x 2.04 inches	$28.95
	Mercer 7-Inch Culinary Genesis Nakiri Vegetable Knife	2 x 1 x 12 inches	$36.49
	Henckels 6.5-Inch CLASSIC Christopher Kimball Edition Nakiri Knife	15 x 3.5 x 0.75 inches	$$
	DALSTRONG 6-Inch Phantom Series Japanese AUS8 Steel High Carbon Nakiri Knife	6 x 0.08 x 2.2 inches	$69.90