Nakiri Recommendations?

[TheAlfheim]

Hi Everyone,


I'm in the market for a Nakiri knife, and I was hoping some of the helpful people here could make a recommendation (or two).


I already have a decent collection of knives, so I'm not trying to fill a need. This is definitely a want. A second opinion from people who share my "passion" (obsession?) for knives always helps...


My initial research has helped to narrow my preferences, which are;
- I dont want a western handle. Straight timber, traditional Japanese looks good to me
- I dont want a light coloured wooden handle - I prefer the darker handles
- I would like the Nakiri blade edge to be straight or relatively straight (some have quite a curve)
- I'm not too fussed on the (Japanese) steel involved, provided it's of good quality. I havent owned a carbon knife, but I'm not ruling it out
- If there's a blade length choice, I would prefer a longer blade (I tend to use 8 - 10 inch knives, and I've seen that Nakiri style blades tend to be smaller)
- Budget is open (but not crazy)



So far I've been looking at https://japanesechefsknife.com/ and https://carbonknifeco.com/ as well as general online kitchenware stores (who tend to carry the main brands, like Shun)


Thanks!

 

[CraigC]

It doesn't matter what brand or style knife. If it doesn't feel comfortable in your hand, it is a waste of money. That means you have to handle it before you buy it.

 

[CharlieD]

It doesn't matter what brand or style knife. If it doesn't feel comfortable in your hand, it is a waste of money. That means you have to handle it before you buy it.

It and it is not completely true. I both two Nakiri knives a while ago. They both fit the same, but one is cheap garbage (not in price) and the other is excellent tool. I'm sorry I cannot remember where I got it and cannot recommend it to original poster.

 

[CharlieD]

I was going to edit my post, but I guess I ran out of time. I hate that. Why does it have to be time limited?

Anyway I was going to change my post to this one:
It is and it is not completely true. I bought two Nakiri knives a while ago. They both fit the same, but one is cheap garbage (not in price) and the other is excellent tool. I'm sorry I cannot remember where I got it and cannot recommend it to original poster.

I do have one more that I bought from Restaurant Depot, but it is not available online. Maybe TA, you have RD close by, check it out. It was pretty inexpensive. Unlike my other 2 knives, that were around 120 give or take (but that was like 10 + years ago), this one was only $30 or close to it. Honestly though, I rarely use it.

 

[CraigC]

It and it is not completely true. I both two Nakiri knives a while ago. They both fit the same, but one is cheap garbage (not in price) and the other is excellent tool. I'm sorry I cannot remember where I got it and cannot recommend it to original poster.

If I'm going to spend a couple hundred dollars, more or less, on a chef's knife, I certainly won't buy it without knowing if it feels right in my hand. That includes any knife for that matter.

Didn't see your other post. BTW, you have to own a business or have access to a business's resale certificate to be able to purchase at RD. We recently scored some Parmigiano Reggiano at RD that was miss labeled as Grana Padano for around $5.60 per pound. Had to by an 11 pound part of a wheel. The rind was embossed with PR.

 

[CharlieD]

I do not believe that you have to be a business owner.


As far as knife, yes, handle is very important. But with Japanese knives, at least the traditional ones, there is a certain expectation to what handle is going to be like. The newer ones are, I think, starting to cater to the market and add some fancy handles to compete with European knives.

 

[CraigC]

I do not believe that you have to be a business owner.

As I said, "or have access to a business's resale certificate".

 

[TheAlfheim]

I agree that it'd be best to hold the knife first, but I'm resigned to the fact that unless I go a mainstream knife (eg: Shun), I wont get the opportunity. I've bought overseas knives before, and havent had an issue with my (somewhat) educated guesses.


Any suggestions on where else I could look online?