The 8 Best Japanese Chef’s Knives to Sharpen Your Kitchen Skills

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.AmazonAn East-meets-West type of deal, Shun's Damascus blade chef's knife is perfect for those without a ton of experience with Japanese knives. The cutting angle is closer to what you'll find on Western knives, so it'll be easy for first timers.It's not as dainty as some of the other Japanese knives you might see, so it can handle a little bit more abuse. But, it's still pretty light, so it's easy to move around and can't be treated like heavier Western knives.Blade Length8''Blade MaterialAlloy SteelAnthony Bourdain famously advocated for this knife. It's light, well-weighted, and as the chef always said, a $100 price tag means you don't have to be precious with it.While a lot of the love for Japanese knives comes down to the look, this one is strictly utilitarian. Sleek and easy to clean, it's unfussy. But, it's still got that characteristically Japanese super fine edge.Blade Length8''Blade MaterialStainless SteelAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowIf just one Japanese knife isn’t enough for you, this sleek Miyabi set is just the indulgence for you. It includes seven different pieces—including a paring knife, santoku knife, and, of course, a chef’s knife.Blade LengthVariousBlade MaterialFC61 fine carbide stainless steelA Gyuto—which translates to “cow sword” or “beef knife”—is essentially the Japanese equivalent of a Western chef’s knife. For a starter workhorse knife, this $99 one is a customer favorite. It's a little longer than the standard—8.2 inches rather than 8—and has a more Western handle, with three steel rivets and a contoured handle. You get the sensation of a Japanese blade with a familiar, Western handle. Try this one if you're not sure you want to make the full switch.Blade Length8.2"Blade MaterialStainless steelAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowA Santoku is typically the second Japanese knife you get. The flatter blade makes it ideal for handling vegetables—slicing, chopping, and mincing. For a lot of home cooks, this is a bit redundant, as a good chef's knife or Gyuto can do this. But for knife lovers, or anyone doing a ton of prep work, it's a worthy purchase. This option from Shun is a classic.The seven-inch-blade is nimble, making it ideal for precise slicing and dicing. The D-shaped handle will sit comfortably in the grip of left- or right-handed users, lending another layer of high-quality dexterity.Blade Length7"Blade MaterialVG-MAX Core, Damascus Steel CladdingThe natural progression of Japanese Knife Guy culminates with Guy That Does His Own Sushi and Sashimi. If you're serious about it, a Yanagiba is the proper knife, and Global makes the most reasonable version of it.These are super limited in use, but there is nothing better for thinly slicing fish. The blades have a single bevel, meaning the blade is only on one side of the knife. (This means they have left- and right-hand differences. This one you can only use right-handed.) The unsharpened side glides over fish, and the sharpened side shaves off perfectly sized slices.Blade Length10 inchesBlade MaterialCromova 18 high-carbon stainless steelAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowMade In’s a relative newbie when it comes to some of the other brands on this list. The direct-to-consumer cookware company only dates back to 2017—but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its own reputation of quality craftsmanship. In fact, plenty of celebrity chefs have endorsed Made In as their cookware brand of choice.When it comes to their selection of Japanese knives, our editors specifically noted how sharp and well-balanced the brand’s three-piece set was. Since the handles are heavier than the blades, the center of gravity teeters between just at or slightly in front of where one naturally grips the knife—giving the knife “a lovely rocking motion, making it easier to chop a whole mound of veggies without any wrist pain.” While our favorite—the santoku—isn’t on sale anymore, you can still snag the Gyuto, along with a sleek Nakiri.Blade Length7 1/4”Blade Material33 layer VG-10 Damascus (67 total layers)A Misono knife is an investment, and for good reason. Talk to just about any professional chef, and they’ll have plenty to say about this blade—and the Misono brand in general. Let us put it simply: Misono is to Japanese blades, what Le Creuset is to French enamelware. Based in Seki City, Misono has been crafting knives for almost 100 years and that heritage shines through in all their blades. This knife in particular uses a Swedish stainless steel to create a knife that’s sharp, swift, and ready to tackle any kitchen task for years to come.Blade Length8.2"Blade MaterialSwedish Stainless Steel