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Best Japanese Kitchen Knife Set

In the city of Sakai, the ancient art of making Samurai swords was transformed into the production of a fantastic and varied range of kitchen area knives in Japan. 

Knives of the highest quality and renown are made in the city of Seki, Japan’s leading producer today, using a combination of traditional methods and cutting-edge modern technology to achieve this feat. 

A samurai knife set is a one-of-a-kind weapon on the planet, with the finest materials. To make an informed decision among the many styles, it is necessary to know the main characteristics of an Asian knife and how it differs from a Western knife. 

Kitchen knives made in Japan are among the best in the world, but there are many different models designed for a specific task. Therefore, Japanese knives are so popular. 

Choosing the right knife from such a wide selection can be challenging; in this comprehensive guide, we’ll examine their features in detail, explain the differences between models, and offer some purchasing advice. 

When thinking of the best Japanese knife sets, the first thing that comes to mind is their exceptional quality and long-lasting durability. Moreover, in this list of the best Japanese knives, we’ll learn more about them. 

Top Our Picks For The Best Japanese Knife Sets 

If you’re looking for the best kitchen knives, look no further. We’ve reviewed some of the top Japanese knife sets on the market, and are confident in our selection of these brands.

 

1 - Best Overall - Yaxell Mon 6 Piece Knife Set

Yaxell Mon 6-piece Knife Set – Made in Japan – VG10 Stainless Steel Knives with Slim Wood Block

★★★★★
Amazon.com

User reviews

Feels like the best at a decent price. Sure, they aren’t cheap, but I didn’t want cheap. I wanted really good without breaking the bank, and for a set like these you can easily trick people into thinking it’s a thousand dollar set for the quality.But it’s functional quality. Razor sharp, great feel in the hand (depending on you like to hold your kitchen knives) and even the storage block looks nice.If you’re used to western style handles that are thin and grooved to “lock” into your hand when you squeeze it, these might not be for you. These handles are not really meant to be hamfisted and are equally counter weights, so they might seem overly large and heavy to some. But balance is important to me and the balance is spot on for the larger knives.
superb, high hardness steel professional knives. best professional knife out there. never requires sharpenning
Sharp. Quality knives. Bought for my husband as a Christmas gift. He loves them. Loves the feel in his hand and the sharpest knives he has ever used. I love the look as well. They fee quality in your hand. Will mention the block is a little strange and feels on the cheap side. The slots for the knives are not fitted to the blade, rather the same size all the way up. Not a deal breaker, I consider the block extra. Would have paid the list price for just the knives.
They are sharp and amazing. They have a great look and work great. Great addition to our kitchen!
Beautiful and Sharp, but edges chipped after 1 year. Beautiful wood block was perfect for my kitchen! Loved the rich color of the block. The knives were all super sharp, are beautifully crafted between the handles and the blades and performed great for the first year. I used a steel occasionally to sharpen them. Was very carful with the knives, never put into dishwasher or cut anything other than food (veggies, meat, fruit, etc). After one year I recently noticed the edges were chipping on all the blades, especially the ones I used the most. Very disappointed this was happening only after 1 year of ownership. Contacting the company for their “lifetime” warranty. Said it didn’t cover chipped edges.
Great set of Knives. These are a great set of knives. Very well crafted and perfect for what we needed in the kitchen!
Sharp. Very sharp
Excellent edge out of the box. Simply some of the best knives on the market today. One hundred times better than henckles and shun lines you can find at chain retailers . An amazing value.

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This is an excellent deal on a high-quality Japanese knife set. It’s been almost a century since Yaxell made high-quality kitchen cutlery in Seki, Japan. Incorporating traditional knife-making techniques with modern manufacturing techniques has resulted in knives that perform at a high level but are still reasonably priced. 

This set’s layered VG-10 stainless steel blades are razor-sharp and retain their edge well. They look fantastic due to the sandblasted finish and Katana sword wave. Micarta is used for the handles, which is my all-time favorite handle material. The handle end caps are attractive and contribute to the knives’ excellent balance. At its current sub-$300 price point, this is an incredible set, but I wish it came with a storage block with some empty knife slots so that additional Yaxell knives could be added later. 

Although the Yaxell Mon series of knives appears to be gaining popularity, they lack set options. Hopefully, this will change shortly to provide consumers with additional options. 

2 - Shun Classic 6 Piece Kitchen Knife Block Set

Shun Cutlery Classic 7-Piece Essential Block Set; 11-Slot Bamboo Block, 3.5-inch Paring Knife, 6-inch Utility Knife, 8- inch Chef’s Knife, 9-inch Bread Knife, Herb Shears, Combination Honing Steel

★★★★★
Amazon.com

User reviews

Sharp and Sleek. For those who like to cook and are gentle with their knives (i.e. you wash by hand and put them away right after cooking) these knives are perfect. So sharp everything was cutting like butter when I first got them. They still work great months later and clean up easily.
Go full ninja. These high quality, razor sharp blades makes you feel like you’re holding an Hittori Hanzo blade. I assassinated 5 pounds of chicken in the air with quick overhand swipes. Err to caution, and don’t go around ninjaing anything that doesn’t need to be ninjaed. Samurai are a peaceful people unless provoked.
By far the sharpest set of knives we have ever had. I bought a single Shun knife when I found none of our knives could do a decent job of slicing raw tuna. We bought this set after being so impressed. The blades are beautiful, and the handles are perfectly shaped.Just a couple comments. First, these are REALLY sharp. Be careful cleaning and handling as well as during use. Next, don’t panic if you think you see a spot of rust on the side. The “Shun” logo is small, but it’s in a rust-red color! Finally, just one quirk. Since the knives are so sharp, the blades are rather wide and very smooth. they actually do not work too well on the simple task of cutting cheese. The cheese really sticks to the side. So save one of your “hack” knives for this mundane task.
Cutlery a cut above the rest. Excellent cutlery. I find that I can cut produce and meats thinner and easier than I have ever been able to before.Beware, however, the description says that you will get the Taskmaster Shears. I did not get them but standard shears that were best suited for cutting herbs and use with other light tasks. When I brought this to the attention of Amazon, they took care of my and now I have the actual Taskmaster shears with the bone notch as well. They are sold separately on Amazon as  Shun DM7300 Multi-Purpose Shears, Black/Silver I am convinced that the Shun line of knives are the best that I could have purchased for the money. I would recommend them to anyone that really puts their knives to serious and regular use. If you don’t really challenge your knives or use them a lot then I would recommend a less expensive set of knives or else you may not get your money’s worth from them.In the attached photo they are on the left with the longer blades and the bone notch.
Beautiful and Functional Knives (Get a Better Bread Knife and Block). Shun Classic knives are wonderfully made and useful knives with attractive Japanese styling. However, there is a way to get a better bread knife and block over that shown with the 7 Piece Set.Although the 8 inch Chef’s knife is heavy enough, the six inch Utility knife that comes with the set is somewhat thin and light (why I did not give five stars) , and is not great for chopping vegetables. If you want something that is still heavy enough to do a great job with vegetables and chops better than a chef’s knife yet is more nimble than the large Chef’s Knife for chopping vegetables, I recommend getting the Shun 7″ Santoku knife. If like me, you don’t want a hollowed Satoku one with the indentations in the side, factory authorized vendors other than Amazon such as Cutlery and More (tax fee also) sell the solid Shun Satoku for the same price as the hollowed out.As some people have reported accidentally chipping the knives, I recommend buying them from factory authorized dealers such as Amazon or such as Cutlery and More to insure your lifetime warranty is available. You may want to ask if not sure before you buy.I bought the Shun Classic 5 piece insead of the Classic 7 piece set (which is exactly the same except it is missing Shears and the 9 inch Bread Knife and has a more attractive symbol burnt into the block instead of a label) to get a more useful bread/tomato utility knife for the same price net.To do that, I bought the serrated six inch Shun DM0741 Classic U2 (Ultimate Utility) Knife to replace the bread knife as it offers much more utility with its serrated edges and because it is more agile and versatile at six inches in length instead of nine inches like the long bread knife included with the 7 piece set. I am replacing the missing shears with a pair of Kershaw Taskmaster Shears (same as Shun, $20 less) or a pair of Dahle German made hardened steel all around shears.The total price of the five piece set with the added more fuctional Shun DM0741 Classic U2 (Ultimate Utility) Bread/Tomato knive and alternate Shears, is the same as 7 piece set, only you than have a better Bread/Tomato Knife and more attractive block.
Excellent-top notch. It just so happens that we had a professional chef at our house doing a side job with his best friend and I showed him our new knife set, and he said he has brands knives, he has about 20, we have 6 knives and a pair of kitchen shears that unfortunately has a nick in them right away that they do not close all the way, but he assured me that they are 100% customer orientated and I will not have any problem with an exchange, my ownly negative is that I didnt have the foresight that I would really need a bigger knife holder 🙂 I plan to buy a few more for sure as expensive as they are, they will be with us for life!
Elite Quality. I never had knives like this before. They are works of art and highly functional at the same time.
Rusts in the dishwasher. Overall I like these knives, but for how much I’m paying for them, I’d think I’d be able to clean them in the dishwasher instead of by hand. But maybe that’s something about “good knives” that is known that I didn’t know. They get rusty in the dishwasher, so now I wash them by hand. They are much sharper than the Farberware knives I had before, but after several uses, I have noticed that they’re already starting to dull. Overall better than what I had, but not as impressed as I thought I’d be given how much I’m paid for them.
Shun knives are a great addition to the kitchen. They are amazingly sharp. Use the honing steel every time a blade is used and the edge will stay that way.
A little light for my taste but still amazing! Super sharp, holds an edge like none other.
Nice set. They Arnt meant to be abused though. Sharp as hell
Look these are really sharp, very light, lovely handle, and a nice blade design. The maintenance however is too involved. Starting with how gently they need to be handled because of how hard the steel is; prevent chipping and such. Next with washing practice, being that they must be dried immediate because of the wood handles and stainless layering being exposed. Lastly with sharpening given that it is at an angle of 16*; makes things a little more specialized. Plus, and I know this is silly but the block looks empty.Shun uses VG1MAX (60-61 Rockwell) steel which can be made extremely hard; thus keeping it sharp for a long time.Now I know many folks/videos whatnot speak to either side of the chip-gate around hardened Japanese blades but that is not my point.There is a newer steel on the market now, BD1N (62-63 Rockwell), that is able to retain a very sharp edge like Shun while keeping more of its resilience to daily usage. For example the Yaxell Dragon line (distributed by Apogee Culinary Designs, sold from house of knives in Canada).In the end we decided not to get a set of knives but rather put together a set with qualities we wanted in each blade.

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The Shun Classic 6-piece knife set is a work of art from an aesthetic standpoint, but it also delivers performance. The price may seem steep for a set that does not include steak knives, but these are high-end knives that are meant to last a lifetime or more. 

The blades are constructed from Damascus stainless steel overlaid with Shun’s impressive VG-10 steel, resulting in a well-balanced, lightweight blade that is a joy to use. The traditional D-shaped handles are crafted from ebony pakkawood, which is renowned for its durability.  

This set’s block includes several empty slots, which is a practice I wish more cutlery manufacturers would adopt. It is incredibly convenient to have the option of expanding your set as your home cooking requirements change. 

While this Shun set is undoubtedly impressive, I would opt for the Tojiro set mentioned later in this article, as the additional $150 is not worth it. However, my requirements may differ significantly from yours because I am not a professional chef or even an excellent home cook.  

The Shun Classic 10 Piece Essential Cutlery set is an excellent product. Additionally, it is far more attractive than the more affordable sets mentioned in this article. 

3 - Shun Sora 6-piece Knife Set

Shun Sora 6-Piece Block Set Including 3.5-Inch Paring Knife, 6-Inch Utility Knife, 8-Inch Chef’s Knife, Herb Shears, Combination Honing Steel and 11-Slot Bamboo Block; Stainless Steel Knife Set

★★★★★
Amazon.com

User reviews

Very nice knives. I’ve owned these knives before and they are very sharp and comfortable to work with. I like the block styling as well. I think they are a good value for the money, not cheap, but you get your money’s worth.
but for the price I paid these knives seem very good. I don’t have anything to compare to except. This is my first “nice” knife set. I know you can get crazy with knives and spend a lot of money, and I’m sure that it’s probably worth it, but for the price I paid these knives seem very good. I don’t have anything to compare to except for some Henkels that I purchased years ago, it was a block set also that if I recall correctly cost between $100-$150, but they’re much better than those in every way that a knife can be measured (sharpness, comfort, weight, balance, durability, etc). They hold an edge pretty well with occasional honing. Just remember to clean, dry, and return them to the block as soon as you’re done using them, and don’t run them in the dish washer, and they should cut like a dream every time. I can’t really say how they compare to other knives in the same price range, but what I can say is that this set gives you most everything you need with very little filler (i.e. steak knives, serrated garbage, etc), and that I don’t feel like I overpaid considering how much use I get out of them.
Worth the price. High quality, sharp, durable and expen$ive but worth the price!
Great knives set for the money. I bought this knife set with the bamboo block. The block is massive/too big for my space. I bought a magnetic knife holder ($20 Amazon) which is smaller and takes up MUCH LESS space. It looks more like a chef’s kitchen.(Brown handled knife not included in the set).
High quality Shun. Gifted to a friend with a set of Shun knives. Gorgeous knife block with a nice rounded design. Thick and high quality. Takes up a small footprint on the counter.
Be Careful. They are SHARP!!!
Awesome knives. These knives are amazing. Cutting an apple feels like cutting a tomato. Cutting a hard root like a rutabaga feels like cutting an apple. This is the first expensive knife set I’ve ever owned. I took a couple of minutes to watch a YouTube video on proper honing and I always handwash my knives immediately after using them, towel dry, and put away in the block. So far they are still as sharp as the day I bought them, after a few weeks of use. I’m confident that that level of care (which is really not much trouble at all) will keep them in great shape for a long time. Also, although we were skeptical about buying a set with so few knives, it turns out these really are all that’s needed for 99% of cooking tasks. I plan to occasionally treat myself to a new knife but am totally satisfied with the small set the way it is. Absolutely love them.
Never Received, Never Got Refund. Careful ordering these. We ordered these on December 16th. They were marked as ‘Undeliverable’, sent back and that a refund would be credited. Still waiting on a refund. Amazon will not refund until the knives are returned, yet they’re the one who didn’t even attempt to deliver. Shame on Amazon.That all being said, after we received notification that these were undeliverable, we ordered another set. Those arrived within 2 days. They have plastic handles, feel very cheap. The block is huge and you’d have to order more expensive knives to fill it. I prefer all my knives to match and would never order more plastic handled knives to fill the block at this price. Sent them all back. Refund for this set was issued 10 days after I sent them back. Again, shame on Amazon. Should have refunded as soon as return label was scanned at UPS store. Nevertheless, don’t waste your money on these cheap feeling knives. And beware that if Amazon doesn’t deliver them, you may never see you money again.
High quality product and a good price
I couldn’t believe how sharp these knives are! and they look great too!

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Shun’s Sora series of knives is their more affordable line. They lack the superior aesthetics and high-end materials of the Shun Classic collection mentioned previously, but they are durable and perform exceptionally well given their low price point. 

Shun can keep the price of the Sora series low without sacrificing edge retention by using high-end VG10 steel for the cutting edge and more affordable 420J steel for the blade’s upper section. As a result, you are left with a stunning San Mai cutting edge. This is a technique that many Japanese companies employ, and Shun’s parent company, Kai, even incorporates it into Kershaw pocketknives. 

Although the TPE handles on the Sora series of knives are comfortable and grippy, they lack the aesthetic appeal of Shun’s Classic series. This set includes a Kai diamond and ceramic retractable sharpener, making it simple to keep the knives in this set sharp. 

 

4 - Enso Hd 7-piece Knife Set

Enso Knife Set – Made in Japan – HD Series – VG10 Hammered Damascus Japanese Stainless Steel with Slim Acacia Knife Block – 7 Piece

Amazon.com

Enso is a well-known Japanese knife manufacturer that has been handcrafting high-quality knives since 1932. This stunning sixteen-piece set features blades made of 37 layers of stainless steel atop a VG10 core. The knives’ distinctive appearance is due to their hammered sashimi finish. As a result, knives with harsh blades and a unique appearance are created. Enso knives, with their 12° cutting angle, are some of the most impressively sharp knives on the market right out of the box. 

While the blades of these knives are undoubtedly impressive, the handle material initially drew my attention. Canvas micarta is an exceptionally durable and greppable material frequently found on premium survival knives. Although canvas micarta is my favorite material for knife handles, it is not frequently found on kitchen knives. 

The Enso HD series offers exceptional overall quality and performance at a price point that is competitive with other high-end Japanese knife brands. I appreciated the HD series’ comfortable oval-shaped handles. They are more comfortable than the D-shaped handles frequently found on Japanese cutlery. 

5 - Global 20 Piece Knife Block Set

Global Knife Set – 20 Piece, Walnut Block

Amazon.com

Global Knives are unique in two ways: their edge and their balance. Any knife’s most critical feature is its edge. The blade is crafted from one of the finest stainless steels available, Cromova 18. 

 This unique steel is ice-tempered and hardened to a Rockwell Hardness of 56-58°, which means it retains its razor-sharp edge longer than any other steel and is resistant to rust, stains, and corrosion. 

Like western-style blades, the blade edge is ground on both sides; however, the advantage is ground to a straight point rather than a beveled edge, resulting in a razor-sharp edge that stays sharper longer. 

Each Global knife features a unique hollow handle filled with the ideal amount of sand to balance the blade. Global knives are indeed one-of-a-kind. Made in Japan, this item comes with a lifetime warranty. 

Another distinguishing feature of the Global knives is their convex edge, which appears to aid in edge retention despite their lower Rockwell hardness rating than some competitors.  

Global produces high-performance knives that are a joy to use in the kitchen. However, they appear to develop rust spots more quickly than other knives in this price range. As a result, they should never be put in the dishwasher and dried immediately after hand washing. 

Global’s largest set, the 20-piece set, is one of the few that includes steak knives. 

6 - SENKEN 8-piece Premium Japanese Kitchen Knife Set

SENKEN 8-piece Premium Japanese Kitchen Knife Set with Laser Damascus Pattern – Imperial Collection – Chef's Knife, Santoku Knife, Bread Knife & More

Amazon.com

The Imperial Collection from Senken Knives is an eight-piece knife set that includes every knife you’ll ever need in the kitchen. Each blade is razor-sharp and forged from high-quality stainless steel to ensure effortless cutting and chopping. 

The knives have a 15° cutting angle, significantly greater than the standard 25° edge angle found on most Western knives. After the initial cut, you WILL notice a difference. Imperial features an ergonomic Pakka Wood handle and a Finger Guard for added protection. 

Senken Knives’ mission is straightforward: to create the finest, most stylish knives at the most affordable prices possible. We are masters of our craft, incorporating modern and ancient knife-making techniques. We can’t wait to bring our chef knives into your kitchen. 

We are meticulous with our products and provide the best possible quality. We’re confident you’ll enjoy your Senken knives for years to come – improving our customers’ quality of life is what motivates us to do what we do! 

7 - Tojiro DP Damascus 3-piece Knife Set

Tojiro DP Damascus 3-piece Knife Set

Amazon.com

Each Tojiro DP Damascus Series blade is adorned with a Damascus pattern created by forging 37 layers of low and high carbon stainless steel folded over a thick VG-10 core of premium cobalt alloy steel.  

This process is completed with extreme delicacy, resulting in an impressive appearance. The 60° Rockwell Hardness is sufficiently hard to retain an edge but is more easily sharpened than super hard steel.  

The triple riveted Micarta handle with bolster provides heft and balance, and the closed bolster collar allows for complete blade sharpening. The razor-sharp blades are hand-honed and sharpened by skilled craftsmen in Japan. 

We wish Tojiro had included a storage block with this set, but they are available separately. Even though the DP Damascus knives are slightly more expensive than the standard DP knives, they are still highly affordable for Japanese Damascus steel knives. This set is an excellent way to get started with a perfect Japanese knife set. 

8 - Miyabi Mizu SG2 Magnetic Easel Knife Set, 10 Piece

Miyabi Mizu SG2 Magnetic Easel Knife Set, 10 Piece

★★★★★
Amazon.com

User reviews

Sharp and nice looking. Easy to keep up with and very handy storage!
Superb. Absolutely wonderful knives, very sharp but amazing none the less
Magnetic easel came broken, no replacement available. Seems like the knives are nice, but the easel came broken right out of the packaging. No replacement is available and other Miyabi easels are $100. Can’t contact the seller because of Amazon’s policies, so I can’t in good conscience give this a positive review.

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With this knife set, Miyabi honors Japanese craftsmanship. These knives combine traditional and innovative techniques to create an exceptional knife collection. The stainless steel core is made of SG2 micro-carbide powder and is wrapped in another layer of stainless steel with a hammered (“Tsuchime”) Damascus finish.  

Cryodur heat treatment results in a blade with a Rockwell Hardness of 63, which provides superior edge retention, corrosion resistance, and blade flexibility.  

The Honbazuke sharpening method, which originated in traditional Japanese sword making, is then used by Miyabi artisans. This three-step process begins with double whetstone sharpening, followed by mirror polishing on a leather wheel.  

This technique, which was developed over a thousand years ago for samurai swords, gives these knives their signature Miyabi razor sharpness. The blade is complemented by an exquisite, comfortable, and long-lasting D-shaped Micarta handle and stainless steel bolster.  

The handle is beautifully accented with a decorative mosaic pin, red spacers, and the Miyabi logo engraved on the handle end and made by hand in Seki, Japan. 

9 - Mac Knife Superior Santoku Knife, Set of 2

Mac Knife Superior Santoku Knife, Set of 2

★★★★★
Amazon.com

User reviews

Amazing knife. I just had to replace all of my knives and intentionally chose not to buy one full set. This was my choce for a chef knife and it is extremely sharp! The blade feels very stiff so I know it will chip more easily than others but the trade-off is sharpness. I take very good car of my knives so I’m hoping this will last the rest of my life… I am considering another MAC knife because I’m so impressed with this one.
Great Steel, Great Design. I’ve used one of these for 15+ years and have gifted five of them to friends and relatives. This is not the fanciest looking knife – just a flat blade and a simple handle – but it is light and easy to handle. The curvature on the cutting edge is just right for chopping veggies. The wide blade is great for sliding under a pile of chopped food and transferring it to a bowl or pan. MAC Superior steel sharpens easily and holds an edge well. I love my MAC MTH80 chef’s knife, but reach for this santoku more often.
Best knife I own. This knife was recommended to me in Tokyo by a master chef at a restaurant. He said it was inexpensive and amazing to handle and cook with, with an amazing blade. He was right! I’m so glad I wrote down the brand and found it online. It has really changed my cooking experience, and made cutting food SOOOOOOO much easier! It’s unbelievably sharp, and retains and edge. It can’t be put in the dishwasher, so make sure you hand wash it and dry it (wipe it down) immediately afterward with a cloth as the High Carbon Steel will rust otherwise. But treat it right and it will be the best Kitchen knife you ever owned. I like it MUCH better than a typical Chef’s knife due to the Santoku form factor, angle of the blade, and the way it handles. I gave my Chef’s knife away to a friend after buying this as I knew I would only be using this from now on. MAC knives are AMAZING!!!!
Buy the MSK-65 instead of the SK-65. If you can afford the difference in price, the MAC MSK-65 is a nicer knife and performs better than the SK-65.I wanted a Santuko knife with the primary goal of slicing cucumbers. When I use my chef’s knife the slices stick to the blade and then fall all over the place. So, I did some research and found this MAC SK-65. Great reviews. I did a little more research and found the MAC MSK-65. Wondering which one performed my primary task the best, I bought both!They are very similar and the same with regard to: Manufacturer Type of steel Blade shape Size, length, width Sharpness (very) Pakka wood handle (nice feel) Overall quality (high)Here is how they differ:Price: The MSK-65 is much more expensive than the SK-65.Blade style: The MSK-65 is hot-forged steel while the SK-65 is stamped. I don’t think this matters.Weight: The MSK 65 weighs about .4 ounces more, on my postal scale.With the MSK-65 having a forged blade it has a Bolster. This seems to be where the extra weigh comes from. In the hand, that extra weight, and the placement of the weight, gives the MSK-65 a more substantial feel. In comparison the SK-65 feels more nimble.With the forged blade the MSK-65 offers dimples, or a Granton edge, while the SK-65 has a sort of sanded edge. The dimple edge and the sanded edge is supposed to help food not stick to the blade.The sanded edge on the SK-65 failed in my cucumber slicing test. Multiple slices would stick to the blade and stack up, and the fall about, getting under the blade. This is exactly the problem I was trying to get away from. Additionally, I could feel the sanded edge providing resistance while cutting through the food. I did not like this.In comparison, the dimples on the MSK-65 performed as expected. One or two slices might hold to the blade, but the would fall off easier, and more in the direction of the cut food pile. Additionally, a small flick while cutting and the pieces would fall off.Lastly there is the handle. The handle on the MSK-65 is tapered on the sides near the bolster. This make it comfortable to use a pinch grip, as one would on a chef’s knife. The handle on the SK-65 is a longer and not tapered at the blade end. If you don’t use a pinch grip or have larger hands, the SK-65 handle might be for you. My hands preferred the feel of the MSK-65 handle. I will post some pictures of the handles.Using each knife side-by-side, the MSK-65 is better than the SK-65. It looks better, it feels better in the hand and when cutting, and it slices cucumbers better. 🙂
Excellent cutting knife. I wanted a santoku. I am a user of a high-quality German chefs knife. I do a lot of vegetable work and after many years decided to add a santoku to my kitchen tools. Multiple articles listed this as an excellent buy for quality and money. I am very happy. Note that it does not have the heft of a German knife, but it’s also 1/3 the cost. High-quality Japanese product.
VERY SHARP. I have several MAC Knives but added the 6.5 and 4.0 to my collection. These knives are very sharp and light to use.
Affordable Japanese Style Knife. Takeaways:–cheapest among good Japanese style knives–much less care than traditional Japanese knife, but still need dryingThis Japanese Style Knife is VERY good and cheap.Nice traditional and well known Japanese knives are at least $100 to $400 more expensive, so this price is amazing. However, do know that more expensive ones will look much better like art pieces rather than tools.Even though it is stainless steel, it DOES rust. So set aside a towel just for drying it after use if you absolutely want no stain on the knife. The stains will NOT effort its performance.Traditional Japanese knives are made of carbon steel, which rusts like CRAZY but is harder than stainless steel. The hardness enables the sharp 15-degree angle on the edge rather than the 17 to even 25 degrees angle on a European knife. That is why traditional Japanese knives use carbon steel. You can sharpen your regular knife at home to a 15-degree angle but the edge wears off super fast within a couple of uses. This knife is much more rust resistant. However, for the sharpness and hardness you get, I guess there is probably still a little bit carbon in the knife body. Still, it is much less of a pain in the *** to use than a traditional Japanese knife. It does require much less care.
Great gift. I gifted this to my partner and he has been putting it to good use since.
Here’s what we have; a premium brand name Santoku, with top shelf fit ‘n finish, razor sharp and tons of excellent user and critic reviews. It lives up to all this in the short time it’s been with me. Feels really great in hand, cuts a melon like slicing butter, veggies are very nicely sliced, lots of control with this knife. Maybe lots of brand new knives can say as much of the aforementioned, so now the key will be how it will hold up in time, the durability and ease of re-sharpening will be weighed. Then I will add to the review to say if it is worth it to spend the extra.Kudos to Amazon for foregoing the lame service Canada Post is providing during the pandemic and using their own delivery logistics. Had it to me overnight.
Esperaba mucho este cuchillo, tiene buen filo y se siente bien en la mano, es cómodo. El problema es que la hoja es muy delicada, tienes que estar cortando con mucho cuidado porque se dobla la hoja. El mío lo he usado 3 veces apenas y ya está doblada la hoja.
This knife is recommended by America Test Kitchen. Now I know why. I had a very good chef knife but it was way too big for my hand and I was holding it partly by the blade. The Mac santoku is absolutely perfect for me. So sharp that at first use it was a bit intimidating but got use to it and love the size and the sharp edge of the blade.
In my view the best value for dollar in higher end knives. So lightweight, so easy to use, so sharp. Edge retention and sharpening is a breeze. My go-to knife in the kitchen.
It is the sharpest knife in my kitchen now. It beats my Wusthof santoku knife I’ve had for at least 20 yrs. There is a non-shiny pale grey strip just above the blade that darkens after washing, but it does not affect the knife’s performance nor appearance.

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This is an excellent set for a sucker for Santoku knives. They’ve been gaining popularity for years, and this two-piece set is a perfect place to start for a Santoku fan looking to complete their kitchen cutlery set. Both knives that are included are exceptionally well balanced.  

This is especially noticeable if you are upgrading from less expensive knives. The high carbon blades maintain excellent edge retention. The disadvantage of high carbon blades is that they must be hand washed and dried immediately to prevent rust spots.  

This minor inconvenience is compensated for by the knives’ impressive performance and edge retention. These knives’ Pakkawood handles are incredibly comfortable and easy to grip.  

These knives’ impressive ergonomics make them an excellent choice for busy cooks who suffer from hand pain or discomfort when using lower-end kitchen knives. 

10 - Hisa Japanese Steel 9 Piece Knife Block

Hisa Japanese Steel 9 Piece Knife Block – Damashiro Emperor by Cuisine::pro – Includes 2 Chefs Knifes, 1 Bread Knife, 3 Santoku Knifes, Utility Knife, and a Paring Knife

Amazon.com

With the Baccarat Damashiro Emperor Hisa 9-Piece Knife Block, embrace Japanese steel’s superior craftsmanship and exceptional quality. This impressive knife set includes eight kitchen blades expertly crafted from premium Japanese steel, ice-hardened for increased strength and durability, and finished with a stunning tsuchime hammered look and traditional Damascus blade.  

All Baccarat Damashiro Emperor Hisa knives feature rich Pakka wood handles that conform perfectly to the shape of your hand while you work. Store these great knives in the transparent Baccarat Damashiro Emperor knife block to transform your countertop into a work of art. 

These look fantastic, but I believe they are laser etched 420J2 Japanese steel upon closer examination. That would deduct a half star, but as there are no half stars, I’ll go with five because the set is lovely, well detailed, has an excellent knife block, and is exceptionally sharp. 

The handles are made of Pakkawood and are incredibly comfortable to hold. The three Santoku-style knives feature divots facilitating vacuum slice release (technically Kullenscliff style blades).  

Their weight is comparable to the solid santoku chef’s knife I’ve been using daily for several years now — light enough to work comfortably but capable of the job at hand. 

Best Japanese Knife Sets Buying Guide

 There are many factors that you should consider when looking for the best Japanese kitchen knife set. The main thing to keep in mind is your budget, because it will help narrow down your options considerably.

While there are cheaper options available, you may find yourself replacing them frequently. With the high-quality Japanese kitchen knives from our list, you won’t need to worry about that!

The number of pieces 

If you are only interested in owning a high-end dog for cooking purposes, all you need is a set of the most basic knives. 

However, if you wish to serve professional purposes and maximize convenience, you may increase the number of knives. 

Blade & Handles Quality 

After determining the number of knives required, you should consider the blade and handle design. 

Concerning the blade? If you want a knife that slices through anything smoothly, choose a medium in thickness and thin in width. 

However, if you want your knife to function correctly, it must be thicker and more complex. 

The handle should be checked to ensure stability with the knife to avoid prolonged use causing discomfort. 

Storage 

Knives are typically stored in one of two ways: on wooden blocks or in bags/containers. 

If your kitchen is small or you enjoy storing your utensils after cooking, you do not need to purchase wood blocks. 

Price 

The ultimate point to consider is how much budget you have available to purchase Japanese knives, specifically the best Japanese knives. 

Frequently Asked Questions

While Japanese knives are not the best, they are always a good suggestion for the best chef knives and are suitable for professional cooking. 

German knives typically have around 57 layers, while Japanese knives usually have between 60 and 63. 

Thus, a stiffer Japanese knife will hold the edge better; however, this does not necessarily translate into better slices, as the knife may be less durable and prone to chipping or even breaking. 

Japanese knives are made and renowned for their ability to be thinner, stiffer, and sharper. That is what a great kitchen knife is all about. 

When selecting the best knife for you, you should consider the following factors: quality, cutting performance, durability, ease of use, and maintenance. 

Additionally, consider your financial situation. 

Conclusion

 To summarize, we’ve provided you with a list of the top Japanese kitchen knives that are available on the market today. Each knife has different features and benefits, so it’s up to you to decide which is best for your needs.

If you are looking for the best Japanese kitchen knife set, we hope that this guide has been helpful. You can find our recommendations and more information by visiting our website today.

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Why Trust Us

You will find what you are looking for at Jody's Bakery. From classic to luxury brands, you'll find both. We will help you to select appliances that fit your needs, budget and lifestyle. Whether you want to stop by to learn more — or plan to make a major purchase — we’ll treat you like family and assist you every step of the way. Shop with us today to receive friendly and experienced help along the way.

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