Chopping is an essential part of cooking, and the way ingredients are cut impacts the dish’s flavour, texture and look. Therefore, the choice of knife for chopping, mincing and slicing vegetables is an important consideration. And if you like precision in your work, the Nakiri knife can be the best choice. Whether you want the thinnest vegetable slices or thick bars, the one-sided sharp blade of this knife can help you cut vegetables in any way you need.
So, if you’re a first-time buyer, you may want to know every detail of this knife so you can buy and use it confidently. As such, the following are the details:
Table of Contents
What Is It?
Nakiri is a Japanese kitchen knife designed for chopping fruits and vegetables. You can also cut bacon, noodles and meat with it.
Its size ranges between 29 and 32 cm, while the blade is straight, and the size is about 16-18 cm. Also, the knife is sharpened at 15 degrees which can help you cut the food into thin slices.
What Was It Made of?
The blade materials used for making these knives are carbon steel, Damascus steel and stainless steel. And sometimes, all these materials are combined in a single blade by the maker. The handle is designed with efficiency in mind, along with the visual appeal. And some of the common materials for the handle are:
Stabilized wood: It is wood infused or injected with plastic for increased durability.
Wood: The popular choices are rosewood, ebony, maple, bamboo, walnut, magnolia and yew.
Artificial materials: Some artificial materials like Micarta, synthetics and resins are used.
Bone or tortoiseshell: Readily available cow or deer bones are also a preferred choice for the knife handle.
Metal: The commonly used metals are titanium and stainless steel.
What Factors Must You Consider While Choosing Nakiri Knives?
Material
The popular material option for a Nakiri knife is stainless steel. It is sharp and sturdy and requires less maintenance. Meanwhile, adding carbon to steel increases durability, which might even last longer. However, it might require more maintenance and care.
Damascus steel is another excellent option featuring a stainless-steel exterior and a carbon core. It will give you carbon steel’s hardness and stainless steel’s flexibility.
Size
A 7-inch nakiri will be perfect for everyday use. While there are smaller sizes available, they will not meet your needs, and using the larger ones may be cumbersome.
Balance and Weight
While a Nakiri has thin blades, the weight should be substantial to give you adequate control while chopping. Also, it should have proper weight distribution so that your hand doesn’t tilt to one side.
How Would You Care for the Knife?
Cleaning
You must clean the knife immediately after its use by hand and in warm soapy water. After washing, you need to dry thoroughly and rub a drop of mineral oil on the blade for its preservation.
Sharpening
For sharpening the knife, you can use whetstones, and you can get them from any knife retailer along with a range of care and maintenance items for the knife.
Storing
Some good storage options are:
- A knife case.
- A knife block with a wider aperture to fit the knife.
- A magnetic strip that fits your kitchen wall.
- Kitchen drawer inserts with knife-holding compartments.
- Knife trays with compartments and indentations fitting different knife sizes and shapes.
A good knife is a kitchen essential that will give the durability and performance you need; however, you need to be mindful of its use. As such, you cannot leave it exposed to moisture or pile it up with other knives, which may cause wear and damage and not give you the longevity you desire.