10 Best Japanese Knives 2025 in the United States

The Shun Premier 8" Chef's Knife is a high-quality Japanese kitchen knife that stands out for its craftsmanship and performance. With a VG-MAX core and 68 layers of Damascus stainless steel cladding, the blade offers exceptional sharpness and durability. The 16-degree edge angle ensures precise and clean cuts, making it ideal for various kitchen tasks such as slicing, dicing, and mincing.

The beautiful hammered finish not only adds to its aesthetic appeal but also helps to reduce drag and prevent food from sticking to the blade, enhancing the cooking experience. The knife is well-balanced and weighs just 0.634 ounces, which makes it comfortable to handle for extended periods. The Pakkawood handle is both attractive and practical, providing a secure and ergonomic grip suitable for both left and right-handed users.

However, it's worth noting that this knife requires hand washing and isn't dishwasher safe, so it demands a bit of extra care to maintain its quality. Additionally, while it comes with a lifetime warranty and free sharpening and honing services, its relatively high price point might be a consideration for some buyers. This knife is best suited for both professional chefs and home cooks who value precision, beauty, and longevity in their kitchen tools.

The Miyabi Birchwood GS2 7-pc Knife Block Set offers a premium selection of kitchen knives with several standout features. The blades are made from high carbon stainless steel, ensuring excellent durability and sharpness. These knives are hand-honed to a very sharp 9.5 to 12-degree edge using the traditional Honbazuke process, making them perfect for precise and fine cutting tasks. The ice-hardened CRYODUR blades enhance their resilience, with a Rockwell hardness of 63, which means they can maintain their edge longer than many other knives. Additionally, the 101-layer flower Damascus design not only adds to their aesthetic appeal but also reinforces the blade's strength.

The handles are crafted from traditional Japanese Karelian Birchwood, providing a comfortable and secure grip, complemented by the balanced weight of the knives, making them easy to handle during use. The set includes essential knives such as a parer, santoku, chef's knife, and bread knife, along with stainless steel shears, honing steel, and a 12-slot bamboo block for organized storage. However, these knives are not dishwasher safe, requiring careful hand washing to maintain their condition. Also, their premium materials and craftsmanship come at a higher price point, which might not be suitable for all budgets.

The set's weight of 7 pounds is manageable for most users, although it might feel slightly heavy for those preferring lighter tools. This knife set is ideal for cooking enthusiasts and professional chefs who value precision, durability, and traditional craftsmanship in their kitchen tools.

The Matsato Chef Knife stands out as a versatile and well-crafted tool suitable for both home cooks and professional chefs. Its blade is made of high-quality stainless steel, which promises durability and sharpness, reducing the likelihood of dulling or chipping over time. The blade length of 6.2 inches makes it a practical choice for various kitchen tasks, from chopping vegetables to slicing meats.

The solid oak handle adds to its appeal by offering a firm and comfortable grip, contributing to the knife's balance and control during use. This makes it easier and safer to handle, whether you're in a kitchen at home or outdoors at a BBQ or camping trip. However, it’s important to note that the knife is not dishwasher safe, so hand washing is required to maintain its quality and longevity.

The knife’s weight, at just 6.2 ounces, ensures it is light enough for easy handling, yet substantial enough to provide good balance. Its traditional Japanese craftsmanship combined with modern techniques ensures a high level of performance. The Matsato Chef Knife is highly rated by users, holding a 4.4 out of 5 stars from nearly 1,900 reviews, indicating a generally positive reception. This knife is a reliable, multi-purpose kitchen tool that combines traditional design with modern needs, although it requires careful maintenance due to its non-dishwasher-safe nature.