The best nakiri knife is specially designed for cutting vegetables. With a very thin, sharp blade and a blunt, cut-off tip, nakiri knives make straight and even cuts through vegetables, leaving you with full, clean slices without squashing your produce. The ideal size for a nakiri knife is between 6 and 7 inches, which we've taken into consideration in our selection process. We've also looked at construction, handle comfort, and blade material. Choose from our superb nakiri knife collection.
Mercer Culinary Genesis forged nakiri knife
With a Santoprene handle for a non-slip grip
This superior choice from professional catering supplier Mercer Culinary is a high-quality, 7-inch knife suitable for serious amateur cooks. The blade is made from high carbon, forged steel from Soligen, Germany. This metal resists rust, corrosion, and discoloration. This knife boasts a full tang design, which means the metal runs all the way down the handle for better balance. The edge of the blade is taper-ground for efficient cuts and long-lasting sharpness. Treated well, this knife should last you for years.
TUO Fiery Phoenix Series nakiri knife
With a beautiful pakkawood handle
This handsome nakiri knife from TUO is a smaller 6.5-inch option. It's part of the company's Fiery Phoenix Series, which is designed to be nimble, ergonomic, and beautiful. The blade is made from specially forged, high-carbon German stainless steel that gets a high-tech vacuum heat-treatment and nitrogen cryogenic tempering for long-lasting strength and durability. The ergonomic handle is made from a composite, high-density pakkawood and features the TUO logo forged attractively into the handle's back.
Findking Dynasty Series nakiri knife
With an octagonal, rosewood handle
This option is an attractive, authentically Far Eastern nakiri knife, complete with an octagonal wooden handle made from tactile rosewood. The 7-inch blade itself is full tang and made from 9Cr18Mov high-quality steel forged into three layers. The blade is hand-polished into a 16-degree V-shaped edge, which, with proper maintenance offers years of sharpness. This knife has a two-tone blade; the upper part boasts a dimpled texture for easier food release.
Paudin universal classic nakiri knife
With an ergonomic, soft, wooden handle
From an emerging name in the knife marketplace, this Paudin nakiri knife measures in at the classic 7-inch mark. The blade has a special waved pattern that reduces food friction and is made from 2-millimeter thick 5Cr15Mov stainless steel that makes it sturdy, durable, and rust-proof. The German steel blade is liquid nitrogen cooled and has a 12 to 14-degree bevel for superior edge retention. It also has a pakkawood handle that's ergonomically shaped for long-term comfort during use.
Mercer Culinary Millennia nakiri knife
With a safety handle for beginners
This knife is from the same well-respected, pro-level brand as our staff pick, but from its more affordable Millennia range. This knife's blade is made from one piece of high-carbon Japanese steel. This material is stain-resistant and can be sharpened quickly. This knife's handle is a mixture of high-end Santoprene for hygienic comfort, mixed with durable polypropylene. This knife is a good option for beginners as it's a budget choice, as well as a safe one with the handle offering textured finger points for improved grip and a protective finger guard for safety.
Keemake nikiri cleaver knife
With a riveted, red pakkawood handle
This is another seven-inch option with that classic cut-off tip. It's a full tang blade forged from 2.5-millimeter thick, high carbon, German stainless steel. The blade gets a brushed, mirror-polished finish to help protect against rust, stains, and corrosion. This knife has a lovely red pakkawood handle that has a good-looking, riveted construction. This offers a smooth, but safe grip when chopping. This Keemake knife comes complete with a gift box.
Cleaver fever
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All these nakiri knife options make for very capable vegetable cleavers. Our overall staff pick, the Mercer Culinary Genesis forged nakiri knife, edges out in front of the others thanks to its professional-quality materials and construction.
Another Mercer Culinary option, the Millennia nakiri knife, is well worth considering if you're just beginning a culinary journey. For the inexperienced, this is an affordable, risk-free choice that offers a safe-to-use handle for anyone wary of large blades.
If you want the full Asian knife aesthetic, then do look at the Findking Dynasty Series nakiri knife. This attractive option has a two-tone dimpled blade and a gorgeous octagonal, rosewood handle, so it really looks the part.