This kind of Japanese chef's knife is known as a "gyutou." For most culinary tasks, these are the best all-purpose kitchen knives on the market today. The steel used in Japanese gyutou is tougher and better at holding than European ones.
Finding the best Japanese kitchen knife can be challenging because hundreds of brands are making it. That's why we came up with this article to guide you to get the best Japanese knives for the chef.
Here we have presented a review of the ten useful and effective Japanese knife at an affordable price range. You will also get a complete buying guide to outline the ideal Japanese chef's knife.
Best Japanese Chef Knives Review
Our Top Picks
Image | Product Name | Editors Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
  | DALSTRONG 7" Japanese Chef's Knife - Shogun Series | ||
  | Zelite Infinity Chef Knife 8 Inch | ||
  | Shun Classic 8" Chef's Knife | ||
  | Santoku Knife - imarku 7-inch e ultra-sharp Japanese Chef Knife | ||
  | Findking-Dynasty series-3 layer 8 Inch Chef Knife | ||
  | TUO Santoku Knife - Japanese Chef Knife 7-inch | ||
  | DALSTRONG - Kiritsuke Chef Knife - 8.5" - Omega Series | ||
  | Traditional Japanese Professional Gyuto Kitchen Chefs Knife | ||
  | FAMCÜTE 8 Inch Professional Japanese Chef Knife | ||
  | KATSU Kiritsuke Chef Knife - Damascus - Japanese Kitchen Knife - 8-inch |
How did we come up with the list
We have done in-depth research on the Japanese chef's knife, studying more than a hundred other knives and brands. It took us months to find this ten best Japanese kitchen knives. We got the idea about aspects that makes a Japanese kitchen knife ideal for use from our research.
All of these chef's knives are equally good and have great user reviews. But every knife is different, and each knife is exceptional in one specific criterion. Though one knife may have the edge over another in a particular standard, that does not mean the other knife is not good.
We made sure that all knife has good quality in all aspects, but each knife is also exceptional in its own way.
10 Best Japanese Chef Knives Review
Here is the review of the ten best Japanese chefs' knife that we have found out from our in-depth research. In our review, we have presented all the details about the knife and the benefits and the drawbacks.
1. DALSTRONG 7" Japanese Chef's Knife - Shogun Series
Not all brands can produce the best product. DALSTRONG is a brand that makes the finest quality Chef's knife that never fails to amaze the chefs for its excellent performance. The Shogun series of DALSTRONG is just a high-performing durable knife, but it is also aesthetically significant.
The knife's design and performance provide tough competition to the other brands, especially for the premium box and packaging.
Blade
The DALSTRONG shogun series are forged with a single-piece premium quality Japanese AUS-10V high carbon stainless steel. The blade consists of 67-alternating layers of SUS410 Damascus cladding, making the blade stain-free and last longing.
Accurate cryogenic tempering combined with liquid nitrogen raises the steel's steel's crystalline formation, improving strength, hardness, and flexibility. The hand polishing and the pattern on the shiny blade also makes it look attractive.
Handle
The handle of the Shogun series chef knife consists of an ergonomic design. It is built with G-10 Garolite, an incredibly sturdy military-grade inert and non-porous material similar to fiberglass. The handle is designed for superior control and comfort.
The handle designs ensure that your fingers do not get tired from using the knife for extended periods. The materials used to build the handle to ensure weather resistance and durability.
Product details
Pros
Cons
Verdict
This is the best chef's knife in our review from all aspects. If you are looking for a slick-looking heavy duty knife, then the DALSTRONG chefs knife can be pretty satisfactory.
2. Zelite Infinity Chef Knife 8 Inch
Zelite Infinity Chef is another wonderful piece build with the best graded Japanese steel. Every knife has two primary factors the blade and the handle. Zelite Infinity Chef knife aces in both of these factors, making it ideal for use. It is an excellent looking chef's knife that never fails to amaze the master chefs.
One of the best things about this knife is the experience of unboxing that you will never forget.
Blade
The blade of the Zelite infinity chef knife is forged with high carbon Japanese AUS-10 stainless steel. Making it highly durable enables the knife to be sharp for a long. The handcrafted blade of Damascus design makes it look aesthetically rich.
The perfect weight distribution and the design of the blade are perfect for making it comfortable. You can effortlessly cut, chop, slice, and dice meant fish and vegetables of any kind. Zelite chef knife is ideal for multipurpose work in the kitchen. The features and the quality of the Zelite chef knife made it a favorite to the users.
Handle
The ergonomic design handle allows the user of the Zelite chef knife a wonderful experience. The design of the handle is made in such a way that it does not make your arms tired, exsert less stress on the wrist. The handle of the Zelite chef's knife ensures durability and resistance to weather and water.
Product details
Pros
Cons
Verdict
Zelitechefs knife is known for its design and useful features. The knife is made of high-carbon stainless steel that makes it very durable and keeps the knife sharp for a long. This knife comes with the best packaging that you will not forget easily.
3. Shun Classic 8" Chef's Knife
Shun classic is a popular brand for making a knife with a traditional style. Shun chef knives are made with the most sophisticated materials and a traditional design of knife build using modern techniques and technology.
Blade
Shun Classic knife's sophisticated blade is made with 69 of alternating steel and a proprietary VG-MAX core.VG-MAX steel contains additional carbon, chromium, cobalt, and tungsten with the steel for increased durability, sharpness, and sturdiness along with corrosion resistance.
Shun chef's knife consists of a handcrafted blade built by an expert. These experts are making knives for generations using an ancient technique. The blade of the Shun Classic 8 inch chef knife is lightweight and consists of high carbon content for comfortable usability and durability.
Handle
The best handles of chef knives are made of Pakkawood. Pakkawood makes a handle look sophisticated, and they are durable too. Shun classic chef's knife consists of a solid Pakkawood handle infused with resin, making it durable and water-resistant.
Product details
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you want a Japanese knife with a traditional design and high-quality material, this knife is worth trying for you.
4. Santoku Knife - imarku 7-inch e ultra-sharp Japanese Chef Knife
Santoku knives are Japanese chefs knife that is slightly different than conventional chef's knife. Santoku knives have a flat blade, and they are slightly smaller. Imarkusantoku knives are remarkably good because of the materials and the build of it.
Blade
The blade of imarkuSantoku chef's knives is made of high carbon German steel. The carbon quantity ensures that the knife stays sharp for a long. The blade is 2.5 mm and hands polished. The sharp blade is useful for mincing, chopping, slicing, and dicing any meat, vegetables, and fishes.
The hand-polished blade is rust-resistant and very durable. The making of the blade ensures that it will not be discolored very soon. The blade of the imarku chef's knife makes it a multipurpose knife perfect for heavy-duty.
Handle
The handle of the imarkuSantokuchefs knife is made of Pakkawood, making it durable and aesthetically beautiful. Pakkawood handles are just not great for looks, but these are also durable. Pakkawood handles are also comfortable to use as they are slip-resistant. The ergonomic design of the handle is also comfortable for the users.
Product details
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you are looking for the best knife at the lowest cost, nothing can beat the imarkuSantokuchefs knife. It is one of the best knives for the value.
5. Findking-Dynasty series-3 layer 8 Inch Chef Knife
Findking is a renowned brand, and the dynasty series of Findking portrays the traditional knife building techniques and build. This knife is like a tribute to the old masters who mastered the skill of making a knife for a generation.
Blade
A Findking knife uses one of the finest quality steel for the blade. 9CR18MOV is used to make the blade. It isan excellent steel for heavy-duty work in the kitchen. With an HRC of 60+/-2, the blade of the knife ensures durability and sturdiness.
The perfect weight balance and the knife's sharpness make sure that you will never get tired of chopping, cutting, slicing, and dicing all kinds of meat, fish, and vegetables.
Handle
The handle of dynasty series chef knives is made of African rosewood. Rosewood handles allow the chefs to cut, chop, slice, and dice anything in the kitchen without making the experience painful. You can comfortably cut anything for longer with this chef's knife.
Product details
Pros
Cons
Verdict
Some chefs like to use traditional Japanese knives for their kitchen works, mostly for sushi. If you want the traditional Japanese chef's knife, you can go for the Findking dynasty series.
6. TUO Santoku Knife - Japanese Chef Knife 7-inch [Black Hawk]
TUO is a renowned brand for manufacturing chef's knife. The black hawk is a remarkable Santoku chef's knife designed and produced by TUO.
It comes inside an attractive gift box. TUO black hawk is also a useful Santoku knife best for chefs who require a shorter knife.
Blade
The blade is forged with high carbon Japanese stainless steel designed with state of the art technology. The blade of the Black Hawk is engineered with advanced technology for better performance and the proper balance of weight.
The weight distribution allows the blade to have a perfect balance, enabling the chefs to use it with comfort. Black hawk is a multipurpose knife useful for chopping, slicing, and dicing anything in the kitchen.
Handle
The handlesof Tuo black hawk are made of G10 fiberglass composite materials. The G10 fiberglass handles can sustain through any weather regardless of the humidity level. This made the handle very durable.
The ergonomic handle of Tuo, black hawk, enables the chef to cut for extended hours. The comfortable grip will not make your fingers tired, and you can work longer with this knife.
Product details
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you are looking for an excellent multipurpose, then TUO can be the right choice for you. TUO is made with delicate materials that make it an ideal Santoku knife.
7. DALSTRONG - Kiritsuke Chef Knife - 8.5" - Omega Series
DALSTRONG has taken another place on our list because of the Kiritsuke chef knife. The DALSTRONG chef knife is a heavy-duty kiritsuke chef's knife fit for multipurpose tasks in the kitchen. The design and look are perfect, and this knife comes with a fantastic gift box and a sheath and stand.
Blade
DALSTRONG omega series knives consist of liquid metal pattern for smooth drags and better cut. The blade of the DLASTRONG omega series chef's knife consists of ultra-premium American forged BD1N-VX hyper steel.
Nitrogen's addition enhances the hardness of the knife hardness, making it more flexible and rigid. Simultaneously, the blade's composition and additional vacuum heat-treatment to 63HRC provide extraordinary execution with a sharperedge.
The knife is weather resistant and also very durable. The 62 Rockwell hard steel will not give up on you very easily.
Handle
The ergonomic handle of the DALSTRONG omega knife is made designed in such a way that it will never let your hands be tired. You can keep on cutting for a long time without hurting your fingers.
The handle of DALSTRONG is made of Military-grade G10,making it durable and sustainable to all weather and water. With all the features, the handle is also non-slippery.
Product details
Pros
Cons
Verdict
DALSTRONG Omega series is remarkable for its design and performance. This high performing knife will never disappoint you when it comes to heavy-duty work in the kitchen.
8. Traditional Japanese Professional Gyuto Kitchen Chefs Knife
Simple song traditional Japanese professional Gyuto kitchen chef's knife is another great traditional and premium chef's knife. Gyuto knives are similar to the western chef's knife, and both of these knives serves the same purpose.
Blade
The blade of Simple song traditional Gyuto kitchen chef's knife is corrosion free and made of high carbon Japanese stainless steel. The high carbon content allows the knife to be sharp for a long time. Hence you don't have to think of resharpening for a while.
The blade of the Simple Song chef's knife is rustfree and resistant to oxidation. All these features make the knife very durable. The forged steel blade is not only durable; it can cut through any kind of meat, fish, and vegetable.
Handle
The wooden handle of rosewood allows the user of this knife to chop, cut, mince, slice, and dice with ease. The shape and the design of the handle make sure that the user will never get tired of it even after working for a while.
Product details
Pros
Cons
Verdict
This is another Gyuto knife on our list. If you like the Japanese traditional knife that is suitable for heavy-duty work, then the Simple Song Gyuto chef knife is perfect for you.
9. FAMCÜTE 8 Inch Professional Japanese Chef Knife
FAMCUTE professional Japanese Chef Knife is known for its weight balance between the knife and handle. The steel of the knife's blade and they handle both are made with excellent materials that make the knife useful for multipurpose tasks.
Blade
The blade of the FAMCUTE chef's knife is made of 9CR18MOVstainless Japanese steel. The high carbon steel is 62 Rockwell hard, making it very sturdy, long-lasting, and also does not lose its sharpness easily.
The clad dimples of the knife help to get proper slices, and this also prevents pieces from sticking with the knife. This knife is best for the multipurpose task in the kitchen for cutting, chopping, and mincing meat, fish, vegetables, and fruits.
Handle
The octagonal handle of African rosewood is best for a comfortable cutting experience. The handle is designed to keep the chef's comfortability in mind. Rosewood handles will never let your fingers be tired of cutting, chopping, mincing, slicing, and dicing.
Product details
Pros
Cons
Verdict
FAMCUTE professional Japanese Chef knife never fails to amaze the master chefs. Its performance is remarkable for cutting sushi and other meant and vegetables. SO there is nothing to hesitate about if you want to fave one.
10. KATSU Kiritsuke Chef Knife - Damascus - Japanese Kitchen Knife - 8-Inch
KATSU kiritsuke chef knife comes inside a fantastic gift pack and comes with an exotic wooden sheath. The blade and the handle has a proper distribution of weight for the chef's to do great with their cooking in the kitchen.
Blade
The blade of the KATSU Japanese chef knife is made of excellent Damascus steel. Damascus still is known for its exotic usage in several things. These steels consist of high carbon content, which never let the steel to be rusted and also keeps sharpness at its best.
The razor-sharp blade of the KATSU kiritsuke chef knife will never give up on you when it comes to cutting, chopping, mincing, slicing, and dicing any type of meat, fish, and vegetables. The pattern on the blade just doesn't help to make fine slices but also makes it look great.
Handle
The octagonal handle made with ebony wood makes it very comfortable to use. This comfortable ebony handle of Katsu kiritsuke Chef Knife allows the chefs to work with it for an extended time. Without being comfortable, this handle also looks very exotic.
Product details
Pros
Cons
Verdict
If you like handcrafted knives that are made with exotic materials, then KATSU knives are preferable for you. The exotic knife comes with a wooden sheath that is not available in many products—the ebony handle of the KATSU knife.
Japanese Chef's Knife vs. Western Chef's Knife
Chef's knife is a multipurpose knife used by the chefs. They are usually 8 inches long, but some exceptions like the Japanese chef's knife are shorter than those of the western chef. But it is not the same in all cases. A chef knife is useful for
Japanese chef's knife
The purpose of the Japanese Chef knife is the same as a western chef knife mentioned above. Though the purpose of a Japanese chef knife and a western chef knife is the same, they are different. The handle of Japanese knives is a bit different from western knives as they are wooden handles. These handles are a bit circular in shape
The steel of the blade in Japanese knives are thicker. Though the blades are thick yet they are pretty sharper than Chinese knives. Thicker blades are a bit more vulnerable to damages, especially when you try to cut through thicker bones. But it can hold the sharpness for long.
Western Chef's Knife
Western chef knives are the usual chef's knives that we see regularly. A western Chef's knife is made with wooden or plastic handles. They are of a different shape. Plastic handles require less maintenance, and they are weatherproof.
The steel of the western knife is a bit thinner than the Japanese knife. The blade of the west's knife is more flexible, and they are less prone to get damaged, and the range of items to cut is higher. Though the blades are thinner and flexible, they do not sustain the sharpness of Japanese knives.
Santoku Chef Knife
Santoku knives are a kind of Japanese chef's knife. These knives serve the same purpose as a chef's knives. All Santoku knives are adopted from Japan, but that does not mean they are all made in Japan.
Santoku Knives are Japanese chefs' knives for the design, but some Japanese chefs are not Santoku but resemble western knives made in Japan.
Santoku Knives are small in size, and they don't have a curvy belly of the blade like western knives.
Gyuto Knife
Gyuto Knives are the same as western chef knives, and they also serve the same purpose. The handle and the thickness of Gyuto Chef knives are a bit different from western knives. The steel of Gyuto knives is thicker with the wooden round handle, making it slightly different from Western knives.
Kiritsuke Knives are Japanese Cooking Knives
Kiritsuke knives are Japanese knives that are used for multipurpose work in the kitchen. This knife serves the same purpose as a western chef's knife, but they are made in a traditional way as a Japanese cooking knife.
Components of a Knife
The Chef's Knife consists of sic parts, and they are
Things to look for in the best Japanese Chef Knives [Buying Guide]
There are some critical aspects of a Japanese chef's knife that makes it suitable for use. These aspects will also help you to have an idea about what makes a chef's knife ideal.
If you don't find the knife from our given list in the market yet, you can match an ideal knife's characteristics from the buying guide. Here in the buying guide, we will provide you all information about the chef's knife's best material.
You will know what to look for and what to avoid. Also, there will be a lot of other information about a kitchen chef's knife.
Materials
The most common material for making any chefs knife is steel. Most manufacturers use stainless steel. Some factors add up to a good chef's knife, like the carbon content of the steel. However, some knives are also made of ceramic. But on our list, most of them are steel.
Steel with higher carbon can keep a knife sharper for a long time until it requires resharpening. The best steel is Japanese and German steel. Most of the Japanese chef knives are made with Japanese steel. They follow the Damascus steel design, but they are not always Damascus steel.
Look for a knife that consists of a blade with carbon content to be durable and sustain sharpness. The hardness of a knife is measured in Rockewell's measurement. The knife with higher Rockwell or sturdier steel does not make it durable. More rigid steel can break, but they can hold sharpness for a long.
Handle
The next material to look for is the handle material. Sophisticated knives consist of handles that are made with wood. But if the wood is not up to the mark, then they will get spoiled in no time. Wooden handles are vulnerable to weather, water, and oil. Proper seasoning and good wood make great handles.
Hence if you want to buy a knife with a wooden handle, make sure its pukka wood. Pukkawood is durable, and the handles will look beautiful on a Japanese chef's knife.
Plastic handles can be a bit more durable than a wooden one. Plastic can sustain through rough weather or water. They are naturally waterproof and can be long-lasting if suitable materials are used.
How is the knife made
All knives are made with two different methods. Some knives are forged, and some knives are stamped. Forged knives are made from one piece of steel, and later the maker beat the still and give the steel the shape of the knife. Forged knives are sturdier, and they are a bit more durable than knives made from stamping.
Another process of making a chef knife is cutting a knife out from a large piece of steel sheet with a machine. That is good for mass production and reducing the price because it is a faster process, and at a time, numerous knives can be made. But knives made by stamping may not be too durable.
That does not mean that stamped knives are not durable. Some companies do make knives from stamping. They are pretty good as well.
You have to check the knives and feel the steel to understand what is right for you. If you require a durable knife, then you can go for a forged knife.
Budget
The budget is another crucial factor in buying a Japanese chef knife. The budget should be fixed as per your need and requirement. It totally depends on you whether you need a knife for professional use or home usage.
Suppose you are willing to buy a Japanese chef knife that will last long and ideal for heavy-duty. Then you have to spend a little more than usual on knives.
For home usage, a simple chef knife is sufficient. In that case, you may get a good knife at an affordable rate. Expensive knives do not always ensure quality. Some knives come at a very reasonable rate but perform like professional and costly knives.
On the contrary, some knives are expensive but not that good in overall quality. Maybe they are special in one aspect for which some chefs also prefer them.
Warranty
Some knives come with a lifetime warranty and return policy. These knives are typically long-lasting, for which the manufacturer or the brand is assured with their chef knife.
Maintenance
Many people have the idea that only an expensive Japanese chef's knife requires maintenance. It does not matter because you may have a knife of 30$ or 500$. Every knife can be durable with proper maintenance. All knife requires proper cleaning.
Knives gradually lose sharpness because of regular usage. This normal if you find your knife is not cutting as good as it used. There are knife sharpening rod, sharpener, and stones to maintain a Japanese chef's knife.
FAQ
What are the best Japanese chef knives?
The best Japanese may vary from your point of view to someone else. What is great for you may not be suitable for someone else. But there are few knives like DALSTRONG 7" Japanese Chef's Knife - Shogun Series can be highly reliable.
What brand of knives do professionals prefer?
For professional use, it is ideal for a knife to be durable and sharp. That is why most professional chefs choose a knife made with the best material to be durable, sharp, and comfortable. Some of the best brands of Japanese chef knives are
Why are Japanese knives so expensive?
Japanese knives are expensive because of the high-end materials used in the knife. They are mostly handcrafted and forged. That takes a lot of hard labor for which it also costs more. Sophisticated materials and the artisans are working behind the knife, making it a bit expensive than other knives.
Are Japanese chef knives worth it?
Japanese knives are worth it if you are comfortable with it. Japanese knives are made with sophisticated materials for which the sharpness and durability can be satisfactory. This a reason for which many chefs use the Japanese chef's knife.
What is the Sharpest Knife?
The sharpest knife requires 3 nanometers of the blade. Thinner blades are usually sharper. When you sharpen a blade and turn it 3 nanometers, any knife can be the sharpest in the world.
What knife stays sharp longest?
Knives with higher carbon content stay sharper for a long time until they lose the sharpness. The thicker steel blade also remains sharp for a long time. Most Japanese chef knives are thicker than Western chefs, which allows the Japanese chef to stay sharp for a long time.
Are German or Japanese knives better?
Both German and Japanese knives are good. German and Japan can produce steel of the finest quality for knives. So it is hard to tell what is best and what is not. Some chefs prefer Japanese steel, and some use German steel knives.
What is a kiritsuke knife?
Kiritsuke is another type of kitchen chef knife that is made with the combination of two different Japanese knives. Kirkitsuke knives are also multipurpose knife with excellent features.
Final Word
Now you probably have enough ideas about a Japanese chef knife. If you are new to cooking, then all these ideas will help you find the best Japanese knife for chefs. Finding a quality knife could take a lot of time and effort.
Here in this article, we tried to present all the information about the best Japanese chef knives to save your time and energy. When you have your knife of choice, cooking will become much comfortable and enjoyable for you.
We hope you find the best Japanese chef knives and have an excellent cooking experience. Good luck and have a great day.