Why Are Japanese Cooking Knives The Best Cooking Knives?

If you type in “The Best Knife In The World” on google, one of the first things to pop up is “Japanese Knives”. That’s because Japanese cooking knives are known for their impeccable cutting abilities and is the reason why they are used among amateur and professional chefs worldwide! But you don’t have to be a professional chef to get your hands on such a fine culinary tool, as you too can enjoy preparing food in the blink of an eye with one of the best cooking knives in the world!

Best Cooking Knives

So what makes these Japanese knives so special? Surely as they’re Japanese, they’re only meant for use as a sushi knife or Japanese dishes only? No, no, no my friends! You can create any dish your heart desires with a Japanese knife, including perfectly cut sushi rolls. A Japanese knife has a thinner, sharper edge that are typically made of harder steel compared to their European counterparts. This allows for less sharpening and maintenance as they don’t get as blunt as quickly as other knives on the market. The extra sharp, thin and lightweight blades definitely make your cooking experience more enjoyable and make preparing food much easier. It’s no wonder Japanese knives are becoming more and more popular around the globe. So if you’re looking to preserve your fresh ingredients whilst enhancing the flavours of your dishes then look no further!  These are the knives for you. 

Santoku Knife

What does Santoku mean? In Japanese, ‘San’ is three and ‘Toku’ is virtue so put it together and what do you get? “The Three Virtues” = meat, fish and vegetables OR chopping, slicing and dicing. Basically, Santoku knives are a type of Japanese knife that are used as an all-rounder and are top of the range for chopping and long cutting strokes. No need for different knives in your kitchen, you can use this knife for EVERYTHING and ANYTHING! It’ll take up less space in your kitchen and less time searching for the correct knife for whichever dish you’re preparing. Now doesn’t that sound knife? I mean nice!   

Japanese Knife Types

Zak Zakka have had an abundance of orders for our Kai Seki Magoroku knives collection, and it’s easy to know why! Proudly made in Japan, these Japanese knives boast quality and are the perfect addition to any cook’s kitchen, from 5 star chefs to home cookers! All of these knives are made from that infamous stainless steel, strain processing and the three-step grinding process that leaves the edge of the blade to be even thinner for precise sharpness and perfect cutting, every time. The three layers of steel help prevent the knives from rusting and keep them strong. 

The Akane knife comes in two sizes – 16.5cm and 12cm. These double edged knives are versatile and will have you chop, chop, chopping your meat, vegetables, fish, fruits (you name it!) effortlessly and professionally. Finished with a nylon handle allows for a great grip that is heat resistant and can be hand washed or used in a dishwasher or dish dryer.

The Ginju sashimi knife isn’t limited to only sashimi; at 18cm long, the long and slender single-edged blade is perfect for slicing vegetables and fish. The handle is made from a beautiful natural wood with a smooth feel and is water resistant so it’s easy to clean. Whichever knife you choose, you’ll be impressed at the ease of cooking it brings, creating culinary masterpieces effortlessly. 

How To Take Care For Knives

So you’ve decided to become a master chef in the comfort of your own home with the purchase of these splendid knives… but taking care of your knives is vital for their lifespan. Cooking knives naturally dull with use so be sure to follow these simple tips to ensure many, many years of happy knife life!  Firstly, make sure to use the right surface whilst cutting as the type of chopping board you use can damage your knives – wood, plastic or bamboo chopping boards are great compared to harder surfaces such as granite, glass or other hard surfaces as these unfortunately chip away at the blade. Secondly, after washing, make sure you wipe the knives well to make sure rust doesn’t make a gnarly appearance. Lastly but most importantly, use a good knife sharpener to keep that blade in tip-top condition. When it comes to how to sharpen kitchen knives, Zak Zakka has you covered… 

Japanese Knife Sharpener 

The best thing to use for keeping those knives sharp is a sharpening stone to align the blade. Every now and then simply slice downwards on both sides of the blade (about 10 times each side) should do the trick! The Japanese knife sharpener made of Whetstone grit is a great choice and Zak Zakka offer two types – the combined 1000/6000 or the 6000. Compared to artificial grinding stones, Whetstone grit is wonderfully natural and does not cause edge damage to your blades or uneven hardness, but rather provides the perfect sharpness with each use. 

With Whetstone grit there are small particles that are loosely bound together within the stone so that during sharpening, the surface particles are wiped away allowing for new, sharp particles to start working on your blade. The 1000 grit stone is considered a basic go-to sharpening stone for sharpening dull edges. It’s a great starter stone! 6000 is perfect to refine your knife’s edge. You don’t need to wet your Whetstones before use, only a splash if you want to and if you do make sure to let the stone dry thoroughly before returning it to its box to prevent mould or a decrease in quality. 

If a Whetstone grit sharpening stone isn’t your scene, Zak Zakka also offer a ‘drag through’ knife sharpener called the Diamond & Ceramic 3 Stage Pull-Through Knife Sharpener for quick and easy knife sharpening too. Consisting of three types of grindstones within one utensil, and collecting all the particles that come off during sharpening in a easy-to-wash container allows for a quick & clean sharpen anytime. As mentioned above, because Japanese knives are made with a hard steel it means they won’t need to be sharpened as often as European knives, so make sure you don’t over-do it as it will wear your knife down. We wouldn’t want that! Every now and then will suffice.

If you love cooking and want to make it much easier and even more enjoyable, then why not invest in some world renowned Japanese knives? You won’t be disappointed. Feel like a top-class Japanese chef in your own kitchen with these knives and sharpeners. For a professional knife or knife sharpener without the professional price tag then check out our collection at Zak Zakka; we look forward to your order.