Top 07 Handmade Japanese Knives in 2022 | Tools Of Chef

The Handmade Japanese Knives are some of the best creations in the culinary industry a chef can ever get throughout his professional career. These knives are so versatile that a single piece of knife would be enough for your entire life if you are good at keeping things great. They are going to make your arsenal feel proud.

Handmade Japanese Knives features a handmade blade core that comes with the incorporation of Non-Stick patterns to make you productive. Their cutting length features an amazing sharpness that would make you feel proud. However, their bevel depends on the type of knife you opt for & the brand who made that blade.

The best part of any Japanese Knives that’s been handmade would be its ease of sharpness and its longevity. Imagine getting a knife that maintains its sharpness for several months and that too without any Whetstone or a Machine Sharpener. This is one of the core reasons why Chefs prefer these knives over stamped ones.

Although these knives would come for an expensive price, they will surely pay back over time and there is no doubt at all. However, if you are on a limited budget, we would recommend you take a look at $100 knives to stay within your range and get the best possible knife for your tasks.

Why Handmade Japanese Knives? Is there any Catch?

A great question, but why would there be a catch especially if that knife is going to stay sharp for a very good time and requires less maintenance? Of course, there isn’t. However, if you mistakenly opted for the wrong one, you would sadly regret it. But, you should worry not and stay in touch with this guide for the best choices.

Moving back to the topic; why are Handmade Japanese knives better? What are their advantages and why should you be using them? So, let’s take things into detail.

So, the foremost thing in these knives is their construction and steel type. Japanese knives already come in a strengthened structure due to the type of steel being used in them, the handmade version still has an edge over the others. Depending upon the brand, the carbon content may vary, so does the sharpness.

Mostly handmade knives are made up of VG-10 or VG-Max steel in some cases. This specific steel provides an advanced strength to the core blade and helps in making it a long-lasting blade without rusting, right out of the box. On top of it, some brands provide a hammered finish to enhance your productivity and look.

Ease of sharpness is another great benefit of these knives. However, you need to be a little bit expert in it so you won’t ruin the blade mistakenly. The reason being is its weight. Handmade knives aren’t necessarily lightweight but a little bit bulky. But, these knives are still pretty easy to maneuver & there are no balancing issues.

There are hell a lot of other benefits as well and elaborating them would cost you a lot of time. So, to make it simple and precise, we have jotted down a few main points. Now, let’s take a look at which exact handmade Japanese knives you should pick and why. So, let’s dive deeper into the list.

Handmade Japanese Knives At A Glance

IMAGE	PRODUCT	SHOP
Overall Best Handmade Japanese Knife	Enso Hammered Chef’s Knife HD Series – 8-inch Benefits: For Precise & sharp cutting, A layered steel construction, Durable & a long-lasting blade, 60+ HRC & a double bevel knife	Shop Here
Best For Precise and beautiful cuttings	Yoshihiro Ambrosia Hammered Japanese Chefs Knife – 9.5-inch Benefits: A decent edge retention, Razor-sharp & a thin blade, An adorable design & build, With A realistic performance	Shop Here
The versatile knife with good balance	Cangshan Z Series 62731 Steel Forged Chef Knife – 8-Inch Benefits: Forged & a full-tang handle, A Reasonably sharp blade, Effective & smooth cutting, Very decent edge retention	Shop Here
Gorgeous blade with an adorable handle	Enso SG2 Chef’s Knife Stainless Gyuto, 8-Inch Benefits: An exceptionally durable knife, Adorable design & durable build, The Bolstered and balanced knife, Non-Stick and a productive blade	Shop Here
The best Santoku Knife for chefs	Shun Classic Blonde 7-inch Santoku Knife Benefits: An extremely versatile Santoku, The Double bevel sharp blade, Maneuverable & easy to use, Strengthened build & a good design	Shop Here
A superior stainless steel knife	Miyabi 8-Inch Chef’s Stainless Steel Knife Benefits: Well-balanced cutting knife, Easy to sharpen & balanced, A stunning & full-tang handle, An impressive edge retention	Shop Here
Budget-Friendly handmade blade	Global 7-inch Vegetable Knife – Cromova 18 Benefits: Razor-sharp cutting blade, An impressive edge retention, Exceptional build & budget-friendly, Best one for Precise & seamless cutting	Shop Here

Top 07 Handmade Japanese Knives | Our Best Picks & Review

1. Enso Hammered Chef’s Knife HD Series – 8-inch

Enso is topping the list with its HD Chef knife that belongs to their flagship HD series. This series or the specific knife was launched back in 2015 and it has received a heart-whelming response from Chefs across the nation. Even being a forged blade, this knife is still considerably lightweight which is a good thing.

Design & Build Quality:

Enso launched this knife for up to two versions in terms of its sizing which includes 08 and 10-inch versions of it. They are using VG-10 steel to compose its blade and that is also Layered steel to provide added durability at your fingertips. It has an exceptionally durable cutting core that thoroughly supports its structure.

You will get a slightly tapered spine in this blade which is a little bit thicker to provide good support to your palm while taking serious cuts. This guy also features reasonable edge retention, so this is also a plus point for you. For its cutting length, the blade isn’t obviously straight as ENSO has given a traditional touch to it that makes it meaningful and pretty easy to glide out there.

Cutting & Performance:

Along with that, Enso’s hammered knife comes with an exceptional hardness of 60+ HRC on the Rockwell scale. As per its 37 micro-layers, the knife is outstanding. However, it could be a better match with 100+ layers. To provide a gorgeous cutting experience, this knife comes in a double bevel blade at 12° for each side.

Last but not the least, even though the knife isn’t completely straight, it still provides reasonable precision. The blade is interestingly maneuverable and it is a good choice both for left and right-hand users. Its handling is also on the next level in terms of durability, comfort, and balance. Likewise, it is bolstered, riveted, and also comes with full-tang construction.

2. Yoshihiro Ambrosia Hammered Japanese Chefs Knife – 9.5-inch

This list of the Handmade Japanese knives would be incomplete without Yoshihiro knives and we have got you with their traditional gyuto that you would surely love. Yoshihiro launched this bad boy back in 2010 and it is also an outstanding knife for a while. This is also a lightweight blade & you get 3 sizes of the blade.

Design & Build Quality:

Being a Yoshihiro knife, it doesn’t disappoint for anything. The knife is based upon VG-10 steel and it is also layered steel that features 46 micro-layers to provide you with outstanding support in the long run. Yoshihiro has forged the blade and hammering has enhanced its beauty and practicality even more.

The best part of this knife; it is not a part of mass production and that’s why this knife is here on this list. Yoshihiro has given a completely traditional Japanese touch to both its design and for the build as well. Considering the fact its cutting core is thinner here, the knife outranks many of its competitors.

Cutting & Performance:

For a better cutting origin, the knife needs a better construction and its hardness should also be no less than anything. Therefore, this specific knife comes with a reasonable hardness that is around 60 HRC on the Rockwell scale. With this incorporation, the cutting length gets precise and razor-sharp out of the box.

The spine part is relatively straighter and slightly on a thicker side to provide better support while taking long cuts. The edge is also superior and it is supposed to hold it for a good time. Furthermore, the knife is easy to sharpen as it is designed in a double bevel construction that never exceeds 30° for one side.

In addition to this, the knife comes with an attractive Ambrosia handle that is exceptional in terms of its durability as well as maneuverability. Due to its octagonal design, you will get a balanced feel with it and it also comes with a wooden sheath to protect it from rusting even though it is made up of VG-10.

3. Cangshan Z Series 62731 Steel Forged Chef Knife – 8-Inch

If you are a big fan of performing blades on a good budget, you should never skip Cangshan. As compared to the rest of the two knives so far, this knife from the Z series of Cangshan is a relatively newer launch that was launched back in 2017. In this short span, it has earned a good reputation for being a forged yet performing knife. Also, it is a lightweight knife and it also comes along with a wooden Sheath.

Design & Build Quality:

This is the first and only knife on this list that features carbon steel in its construction. Of course, there’s no substitute for carbon steel when it comes to a specific range of budget. However, it never meant the knife wouldn’t work. This one gives a tough time to a lot of knives to make it authoritative in your eyes.

To make this blade, Cangshan preferred heat treatment and precise forging, and it was truly a good initiative. Hence, there is no compromise on its quality or its strength. Being a Carbon steel knife, the Rockwell hardness wouldn’t be much impressive. However, it still falls for 56 to 58 HRC on the scale that’s a good range.

Cutting & Performance:

It is not just a chef knife, but a complete workhorse for your tasks. You can do whatever you want with this blade and it will not stop working. From slicing, dicing, chopping, and mincing everything is possible with this blade. You will get a superior sharpness in this blade that lasts for a pretty long time.

Cangshan designed it in a bit of a curved way that doesn’t really feel as such. However, for the side profile, it gets prominent. The spine comes straighter first and later gets a slight turn to meet the edge at its very end. Down to it, you will get a glide cutting line which is designed to make your cutting pretty productive.

For its handling department, you will love it. The knife comes with a western-style handle and it is a prominent thing in this blade that makes it beautiful. This is a well-balanced knife and it comes incorporated with a bolster that improves its practicality and holding especially for longer sessions.

4. Enso SG2 Chef’s Knife Stainless Gyuto, 8-Inch

Enso is once again on the list but this is the last time here. This SG2 is Japanese-oriented and it is going to be the most expensive knife on this list. Enso launched this guy back in 2018 and it does not come in any sort of size variant.

Design & Build Quality:

Enso is using SG2 steel of Japanese grade which is refined steel of carbide structure. To make things extremely outstanding and durable, Enso incorporated layered steel and this specific steel features 101 layers of it according to Enso. The steel is further packed with a Rockwell hardness of up to 63 HRC.

This hardness ensures its strength and Enso’s dedication to these knives. With the heat treatment, the knife gets an improved structure that also reflects in its edge as well. Not only is the knife durable, but it is also anti-rust and gives decent longevity right out of the box. Now, Let’s take a look at its performance department.

Cutting & Performance:

Enso’s SG2 is packed in a double bevel blade construction. Each of its bevels is optimized at 12°, making a collective blade of up to 24°. This is the next level of razor sharpness when comparing it with a knife of 30° bevels collectively. With the topping of handmade construction, this sharpness would last pretty long.

However, its resharpening profile isn’t so lucrative. It would be a hectic task in some cases to resharpen the knife at its best. The reason is its optimized bevels that may seem over-optimized to some extent or especially for its resharpening phase. To safely deal with it, we recommend machine or professional sharpening.

Other than that, the blade features a hammered pattern to make it a non-stick and a productive knife. The spine is pretty much straight and the cutting length is also optimized. There’s a partial bolster to provide you with a balanced feel. Also, the full tang handle is balanced and durable itself that features an adorable feel.

5. Shun Classic Blonde 7-inch Santoku Knife

Shun is in the game with its only knife for this list. We have got you with Chef’s favorite Santoku knife known as Classic blonde. Shun launched this guy back in 2020 and this knife is balanced rightly in terms of its weight. This knife officially comes in a 07” blade only that is more than enough for any productive Santoku.

Design & Build Quality:

This is the exclusive knife here that is being made up of VG-MAX steel. VG-MAX is a modern version of VG10 steel and it is only being used by Shun for their knives. Shun calls it super steel as they have modified and added some more elements into that. However, this is still based on stainless steel and it justifies its pricing.

In this specific knife, Shun is incorporating 69 layers of steel on its blade. This makes it an exceptionally durable knife and the addition of high carbon content has optimized its hardness considering its longevity. Now, it has a Rockwell hardness of 61+ and the anti-rust properties are also on the next level.

Cutting & Performance:

This is a Santoku knife, but it can be used for anything. As long as chopping, slicing, mincing, and dicing are concerned, the knife would perform outstandingly. The knife features a straight spine that is thick though, but it gets steeper from its end and forms a superior blade. Also, it is a double bevel blade with 16° on each side. You will get a smooth and precise cutting with this knife.

For its sharpness, you will never regret it. First of all, it has a cutting length that is almost straight that makes it a pretty maneuverable and easy to glide blade. Secondly, its lightweight design makes the cutting department pretty smooth and sleek. The bolster enhances both the feel and looks of its adorable full-tang handle.

6. Miyabi 8-Inch Chef’s Stainless Steel Knife

Miyabi makes some of the most beautiful knives in the culinary industry and this chef knife of Miyabi is a perfect example of their craftsmanship. This knife is the launch of 2018 and Miyabi knows how to balance their knives for their weight. Depending on your use case, you can pick from its 06, 08, and 09.5-inch versions.

Design & Build Quality:

Miyabi is famous for doing unique things for their properties. The same goes for this one as Miyabi is using G2 steel which is pretty better than any alloy steel out there. This is also an expensive blade but it is truly worth it in the end. Miyabi is using heat treatment and forging to form an exceptionally durable knife.

In this knife, you will be getting a Rockwell hardness of 60+ HRC. With this thing, you can expect optimized edge retention and superior longevity. The sharpening part is also on the safe side as it won’t require much effort or frequent sharpening. However, this still depends on everyone’s use case.

Cutting & Performance:

Picking up the knife in your hand and you will see almost a straight spine along with a straight cutting profile beneath it. When compared to a traditional Japanese knife, the blade profile isn’t much wider but it is still very good at maneuverability. The edge meets the cutting line and spine with a little turn, and its cutting length is also not completely straight. Likewise, the knife itself features a double bevel blade that doesn’t exceed 30° at all.

The resharpening is also pretty easy as this knife has already been manually processed nicely through the Honbazuke process. You can use a sharpening tool to effectively sharpen the knife. It comes with a partial bolster that makes it a balanced knife. Plus, the handle is very adorable and provides a comfortable feel.

7. Global 7-inch Vegetable Knife – Cromova 18

Let’s wind up this list with Global’s Nakiri knife which is the senior-most launch. Compared to the other ones, it is a lightweight knife. It is an individual knife in its fleet and you don’t even get size variation for its blade. This 07-inch blade is sufficient enough to deal with the vegetables without any problem.

Design & Build Quality:

Global used high carbon steel for its blade and it is of high quality. With the modified structure, this steel now gets non-ferrous touch as well so it would form an anti-rust knife out of the box. On top of this, you will get a reasonable hardness so it would keep its edge for a relatively long time.

Cutting & Performance:

As a vegetable knife, it features a completely straight spine that is based on a strengthened core. The cutting length isn’t straight as it gets a little turn from its end. Otherwise, its edge wouldn’t be long-lasting. However, the blade is thick by the way, but it doesn’t come with any sort of pattern on its face.

Still, the knife is quite productive as it doesn’t catch ingredients or affect your speed. With the double bevel blade, the knife provides a superior sharpness so you can effectively deal with any veggie out there. In addition to this, its handle is very versatile, durable, and balanced as well. It is a very nice addition to your fleet.

Summing Up the Handmade Japanese Knives

Chefs love getting the best knives for their tasks, but they often neglect how important it is to get a blade that stays sharp for quite a long time. Here come the Handmade Japanese knives and unless you are a casual or a home chef, you will surely need a Knife that holds its sharpness for quite a long time.

With these knives in your kitchen arsenal, you won’t only get a long-lasting sharpness, you will also get a lot of other things as well. This might include a razor-sharp straight blade that provides a precise cutting experience at a reasonable sharpness. The hammered pattern doesn’t let the ingredients stick with the face of its blade. From edge to balanced handle, everything is great here.