Use a butter knife, fillet knife or meat cleaver when you need them but use a nakiri knife only when you are cutting veggies. My name is Erika Barajas, a chef, writer, and editor at twimbow.com. My girlfriend is a vegetarian, so I use mine a lot! The earliest knives in Japan looked like little samurai swords. Nakiri knives, aka nakiri bocho knives, are a traditional Japanese vegetable knife. And like the Japanese samurai, you move your knife up and down while you watch your veggies give way.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'twimbow_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_0',107,'0','0'])); Even if you are new to using this type of kitchen knife, the smooth movement and the cut vegetables will make you fall in love with a nakiri knife. As a chef, I am very passionate about writing about culinary stuff that helps others in the kitchen. With a nakiri knife, you will cut and cook like a pro anytime you wish. A Nakiri knife will help you to cut all the way through the cutting board without having to use a horizontal push or pull. Kai Wasabi Black Nakiri Knife, 6-1/2-Inch. A nakiri knife is best for slicing through vegetables. A Nakiri knife is a classic Japanese-style knife that has a straight, symmetrical edge that is most commonly used for slicing, dicing, and chopping vegetables. Nakiri knives are lighter than traditional kitchen knives, so they need exceptional control during cutting. A nakiri knife makes cutting veggies fun and professional. You don’t need to be a professional cook to wield it. In Japanese Style Knives by Scott P.August 27, 2017. You can easily cut through any type of vegetable without pushing and pulling. Unlike many knives that require a push or pull motion as you slice, the nakiri eases through your food vertically giving you a smooth clean cut. The cutting edge of a nakiri knife is also perfectly designed for cutting vegetables. Nakiri Knife™ is meant for cutting tough foods like meats and squash. The traditional Nakiri knife has a thin blade with a double beveled edge. If you would like to find out more about other knives from around the world, explore our website some more. It is normal to struggle with the temptation to cut your meat or steak … This knife is simply amazing. I suppose the nakiri knife can be used for other cutting tasks, but I would be loathed to use it for anything other than cutting vegetables. First, check the angle your Nakiri knife is already designed. The oldest knives found in Japanese date back to 718-784 A.D., the Nara period. These knives feature classic rectangular blades and come with different edge styles, including granton edges that prevent food from sticking as you slice. The nakiri knife came from this period in the 17th century. But to make it different, they made nakiri knives thinner but sharp enough to cut through any veggie straight down to the cutting board. At … How to use a chef’s knife: a guide for newbies. So, what is a nakiri knife used for? These knives are also much thinner. I found a few more crazy knife lovers to help make this site what it is. Once the government ended restrictions on imported items, Japanese knife makers admired foreign knives and decided to pattern their own after the alien products. A thicker blade can break the vegetable, rather than slice. The knife is very easy to use and control. The edges are usually so sharp that once they come in contact with veggies, they go right through with ease. The Nakiri or Nakiri Bocho is a double slope edged knife with a very slim blade. I’m sure most of you know that they are a vegetable knife anyway. A pinch grip is the best method for holding a nakiri knife. The nakiri knife looks a little bit like a meat cleaver for good reason. Can a nakiri knife be used for anything else? As a result, make sure you keep your fingers out of the way when cutting veggies. You may get the ideal result, but that won’t be a good idea in the long run. The edge is angled from both sides which is called a Ryoba edge in Japanese. Chop your veggies using a small amount of force, but make sure it is strong enough to cut up the item in one movement. If you mostly hold the knife by the handle, a shaped or tapered Western-style handle will feel most comfortable and familiar to you. I hope this article about the nakiri knife has taught you something about its history and uses. This meant that western knives were allowed into the country for the first time. We have loads of articles on here from. While the deba bōchō is a heavy blade for easy cutting through thin bones, the blade is not suitable for chopping vegetables, as the thicker blade can break th… That would make you upset and hungrier, especially if you are a vegan. Shop for Nakiri Knives at Cutlery and More. You can trust a nakiri knife to do a good job any time, but remember that it can chop off your fingers if they stand in the way. Twimbow.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon properties including, but not limited to, amazon.com. This means that the cut is more controllable as you are only going in one direction. Whatever your budget may be, there is a nakiri knife for you out there. While you could try and chop meat with a butter knife, it would perhaps be easier to use a knife that was designed for the task. After 400 plus years of being made, the design has barely changed at all. With the new goods coming into the country, they could create thinner, sharper, better quality knives. Nakiri knives are primarily designed for cutting vegetables. The nakiri knife originates from Japan, where it is also known as nakiri Bochco. Kitchen Knife Maintenance: 13 Ways to Ruin Your Quality Kitchen Knives, Dalstrong Ceramic Chef Knife – Infinity Blade Review, Powered with love by All About Kitchen Knives. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. You will even lose track of time in the kitchen once you get hold of a nakiri knife. Shun Classic Nakiri Knife. You can’t say that about an iPod! We hate those things. What are the best knives to buy for the kitchen? You can’t rock it back and forth on a cutting board, but the shape actually gives you more control over the blade. Both of them are made for chopping vegetables with an up & down motion and no horizontal pulling or pushing. These primitive sword-like knives were made for centuries and were used until the 17th century. Perhaps it is the ten-year-old in me that enjoys using it the most, but I don’t see an issue with that at all! Most of our ads include the knife ratings as well. You can get the exact size and version of your choice in the market. The Nakiri knife is primarily designed to cut vegetables. We love it and hope you will too. What makes a nakiri knife great for cutting vegetables? So, let’s find out what makes them a vegetable knife and whether they can be used for cutting other things. The usual and the most common blade size is 6.5 to 7 inches. Using a nakiri knife is somewhat different from a classic western chef’s knife. Use the Knife for the Purpose. I love the idea of chopping my veg with a baby samurai sword as much as the next guy, but it does seem a little dangerous. The Japanese government lifted the lock on their country and allowed foreign goods and culture in. We put each knife through a series of tests. So, while the nakiri knife could quite easily butter bread or chop up some tasty steak, perhaps it is best used for its intended purpose. We are experts in cutlery, kitchen knives and cookware. Place it on a flat surface and put your vegetables on it before slicing. You don’t have to wait for professional chefs to perform those kitchen magic anymore. It has a flat edge like a slim cleaver or a fat straight edge razor, but the blade is very fine and holds a keen edge. The Nakiri knife isn’t your traditional chef’s knife, but it slices, dices, and chops, all the same. The translation of the name (nakiri bocho) means knife for cutting greens. If can’t find the... 2. What more can I say? Zelite Infinity Nakiri Chef Knife 6 Inch Alpha Royal Series. Japanese knife makers saw these knives and decided that they would have a go at making something a little similar. To avoid scratching the surface of your kitchen cabinet or damaging the edges of the knife, use a cutting board. Well, a virtuous Nakiri knife does exactly that. Though you are dealing with a knife mainly featured for chopping vegetables, … (Which is why we really like this knife for beginners. This means that there could be a bit of a steep learning curve to use … Its main feature is its straight blade, which encourages a specific style of cutting. Our nakiri and usuba knives come with ergonomic handles that make them more comfortable for your staff to use for extended periods of time. Nakiri bōchō (菜切り包丁, translation: knife for cutting greens) and usuba bōchō (薄刃包丁, thin knife) are Japanese-style vegetable knives. A similar design is the traditional single-bevel usuba which is also designed specifically for use on vegetables. That means your hand must move in up and down directions only, not sideways. Any other movements may end in disaster, and you may not get that straight cut typical of a nakiri knife. Keep in mind that you are not using cleavers, but a nakiri knife, or else may apply considerable force and ruin the edges of the blade. I personally love this knife because it’s as close to using a little samurai sword in the kitchen as you can get nowadays. The index finger remains on the top part of the blade. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. How to chop onions like pro without crying like baby! This knife is one of the best items to have in your kitchen, and it can turn boring kitchen activities into something fun. 2020 Twimbow.com Design. It is used for cutting vegetables. You don’t want to start cutting your veggies the next time only to realize that the edges are dull. How do you use a nakiri knife. This edge is very common today but wasn’t particularly common when this knife was first made. They differ from the deba bōchōin their shape, as they have a straight blade edge suitable for cutting all the way to the cutting board without the need for a horizontal pull or push. It doesn’t mean doing that every day but, as a rule, a dull knife is ineffective and may cause kitchen accidents. Since the knife has a straight blade, it is basically used to cut vegetables with precision. Think about your nakiri knife as a vegan. For cutting vegetables, thanks for reading this article! A nakiri knife is traditionally used to chop and slice vegetables in Japanese cuisine as its straight, symmetrical blade can cut through large pieces without rocking back and forth like many other knives with round edges. The sharp edges do all the work, and with a little strength, your vegetables respond without excessive force. It is ideal for chopping, mincing and slicing vegetables and fruits. The word “Nakiri” can be broken down to “na” meaning ‘leaf’ in Japanese, and ‘kiri’ meaning ‘cutting’, a testament to its specialized nature. They are a superb knife if you cut a lot of vegetables. A cutting board with a depressed or round surface is a bad idea as this can trigger accidents or cause rough slicing. Always keep your fingers bent away from the path where the knife will go. Nakiri knives can be used to cut through any soft vegetable such as onions, tomatoes and carrots. I think the only way to truly understand something is to look into its past and find out where it came from. However, I think they’d be far happier if you just had some veggies. All Rights Reserved. The Nakiri knife is a great knife if you are planning to cut vegetables that you use every day. Such as: 1. Having both sides of the blade bevelled allows for a straight slicing motion that is far easier to replicate. A good example of a vegetable cutting board is the Farberware bamboo cutting board. Even after four centuries, the nakiri knife has remained useful and a favorite for many chefs. I would like to dedicate my time and effort to helping others make the best choices in kitchen appliances. If you have seen a samurai sword, imagine cutting all your vegetables with a baby samurai knife and brandishing it like a trained samurai warrior! Because of its straight blade, edge, and spine, the nakiri isn’t rocked like a chef’s knife. In the 17th century, everything changed, and the modern knives started being produced. Dalstrong Shogun Series X Nakiri Knife. Consider your usual grip on a knife. I am interested in food, cooking, and crafts. Accidents can happen in the kitchen, but when they involve a nakiri knife, the results are too painful to bear. The handle of your Nakiri knife will determine how balanced the knife feels in your hand and how comfortable it feels to use. We don’t have any annoying ads that chase you around the site or pop-up while you’re reading. The first chopping rule is to maintain a firm grip while you keep an eye on what you are doing. This is not like your usual meat cleaver or butcher knife that you cut and pull with force. They are designed to perform the same sort of cut, only on different things. If you have read my other article comparing Japanese and German knives, then you may know a little about this story already. It is … We chopped carrots, onions, and herbs while looking for consistent performance from veggie to veggie. Its magic will keep you spellbound, except something else snaps you out of it. Also known as Nakiri Bocho (literally meaning knife for cutting greens), these are traditional Japanese vegetable cleavers are designed to … This profile makes these knives ideal for push cutting and chopping but awkward for rock cutting. Best for Speed Slicing. The blade of Nakiri or Usuba knife is as thin as a chef's knife. Well, alright, let’s delve a little deeper into the nakiri knife. 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