A well-equipped cook should have a
But with all the choices available, it can be hard to figure out which one is the best for cutting vegetables.
To make things easier for you, I’ve researched which knives professionals and home cooks recommend for vegetables, and I’ve compiled a selection of reviews for these knives.
Read on to learn more.
Best Knives for Cutting Vegetables (Updated List)
* Featured Product *
Related:
Types Of Knives Used For Cutting Vegetables
1. Gyuto
The Gyuto is the Japanese equivalent to a chef
It isn’t too large, so it can easily be used for cutting up vegetables.
These knives are usually single-beveled and have a very sharp edge, which allows you to cut up vegetables and fruits very easily.
2. Nakiri
A Nakiri is a go-to
It is also called a Japanese vegetable
It has a straight, rectangular blade that allows you to cut through vegetables accurately and quickly.
This is an ideal choice for those who need to chop through a lot of ingredients quickly and would fit well in just about any kitchen.
3. Chinese Cleavers
These are also called vegetable cleavers, and they are simply a smaller version of the standard cleaver.
They are primarily used in Chinese kitchens and are very versatile, sharp, and accurate
The design of it will allow you to scoop up ingredients after use.
The only downside is that Chinese cleavers may take some practice before you actually get used to it, especially if it’s your first time encountering this type of
4. Chef Knife
Lastly, you can also use a chef
After all, it is designed to be an all-around kitchen blade that can be used for any task.
They aren’t designed for vegetables, so you lose a bit of the convenience that you have with other knives, but it will still do the job just fine.
Related:
- What is a vegetable knife used for?
- What is a lettuce knife used for?
- What is a tomato knife used for?
We give these knives a quick twirl and review, and then we pass them on to a few lucky home chefs!
Reviews of the Best Products
1. TUO Cutlery Vegetable Cleaver (Best Overall)
The first entry on our list is a cleaver, a vegetable cleaver to be exact.
It shares a lot of resemblance to the meat cleavers a lot of us are used to, but it’s a bit smaller in size.
This allows you to easily chop through vegetables and transfer them to a pot or pan.
It has a polished Pakkawood handle, a high-carbon stainless steel blade, and full tang construction.
This makes for a very sharp one that’s easy to grip and well-balanced.
The design of the handle also gives it a very rustic look, which could be a huge plus for a lot of people out there.
It has a Rockwell Hardness rating of 56+, which isn’t the highest rating you can find out there, but considering how budget-friendly this one is, it should be no problem.
And plus, a product with this hardness rating will definitely survive just about anything you throw at it in a home kitchen.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: x/10
- Handling: x/10
- Ease of maintenance: x/10
Pros:
- Very sharp right out of the box
- Full tang
- The wooden handle offers a very comfortable grip
- The balance point is located on the pinch grip
- Ideal for those who work with a wide variety of ingredients
Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
2. DALSTRONG Shogun Series X Nakiri (2nd Runner-up)
Next up is a model from the DALSTRONG Shogun Series X, which is one of the best
Professionals from all over stand by the quality of knives in this range, and this Nakiri is no exception.
It has a rectangular blade that allows you to chop through ingredients very quickly.
With this one, you can really speed up prep work in the kitchen and work with much more efficiency.
This blade is made of hammered Damascus steel AUS-10V Japanese Super Steel core.
This not only gives it an incredibly sharp edge but also allows it to retain its sharpness for longer.
This is also very rust and corrosion-resistant blade, making it a great pick for professionals who will be using it often.
It is hand sharpened using the three-step Honbazuke method, which results in an edge that is sharpened to a 13-degree angle, resulting in a very sharp
It is definitely on the pricier side, but the quality of this one merits it and it’s definitely worth every single penny.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: x/10
- Handling: x/10
- Ease of maintenance: x/10
Pros:
- Has an AUS-10V Super Steel core
- Hammered Damascus steel blade
- Full tang
- Very sharp right out of the box
- Great for chopping vegetables and fruits
Cons:
- Might be a bit too expensive for some
3. Dalstrong Gladiator Series Nakiri (Best for Sharpness)
Next up is another Dalstrong Nakiri, this time coming from the Gladiator Series.
This is still a very high-quality model, but it comes at a much cheaper price than the other model from the same brand on this list.
Despite its lower price, it is still a very good product to have in the kitchen.
It doesn’t have a Damascus steel blade, but it does have one made of high-carbon stainless steel that can rival even more expensive models on this list.
On top of that, it also has a beautiful Pakkawood handle that adds to the beauty of it.
It looks like a very professional Nakiri, but it’s one you can get without busting the bank.
It’s a full tang one that is sharpened to a 13-degree angle that gives you a whole lot of balance and makes for an easy cutting experience.
Cutting through fruits and vegetables is a dream with this one, and since it is so well constructed, you can use this one to cut a whole bunch of different ingredients in the kitchen.
This is a great pick for those looking for a professional
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9.5/10
- Handling: 8.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- More affordable than other DALSTRONG models
- Easy to use
- Classy design
- Very sharp
- Has a Pakkawood handle
Cons:
- High-maintenance, not recommended for beginners
4. Mercer Culinary Genesis Forged Nakiri (Best for Balance)
This blade from Mercer Culinary Genesis is the ideal pick for those looking for a budget Nakiri.
It has a very sharp blade, it’s well constructed, balanced, and has a classic look.
And you can have all of that for a price lower than $50.
This isn’t something you find too often, but since the price is low, you can expect some compromise.
It has a Santropene handle, which is sanitary and very comfortable, but it’s far from the best material out there.
That being said, aside from that, there are virtually no complaints that come with this one.
So if you need a great blade on a budget, you shouldn’t look much further than this from Mercer Culinary.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 9.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8/10
Pros:
- Relatively affordable
- Very sharp
- Well constructed
- Good design
- Well-balanced
Cons:
- Doesn’t have the best handle
5. Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Revolution Nakiri (Best for Comfortability)
If you’ve been looking for an ergonomic
It has a ceramic blade, which makes for a very sharp edge that can stay that way for a long time, but that also means it’s pretty brittle.
This isn’t recommended for professionals as things can get intense in a hot kitchen, and this one has the tendency to break.
However, if you’re a home cook looking for a very sharp vegetable
It has an ergonomically designed Santoprene handle that feels very comfortable in the hands and makes using it incredibly easy.
This might be one of the best vegetable knives for home cooks available today.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 8.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8/10
Pros:
- Relatively affordable
- Easy to maintain
- Well balanced
- Very sharp
- Double-beveled edge can cut really thinly and precisely
Cons:
- Not recommended for professionals
Related guides:
What Is A Peeling Knife Used For?
How Long to Boil Frozen Chicken?
What Is A Tanto Knife Used For?
What Is A Nakiri Knife Used For?
What Is An Exacto Knife Used For?
What Is A Dinner Knife Used For?
A Buying Guide For Vegetable Knives
1. Type
If you’re looking for something specifically for vegetables, chances are that you already have a chef
These are arguably the best knives for cutting vegetables and each of them would fit great in your
2. Feel
One of the most important characteristics is how it feels.
The right one should be very comfortable in your hand, and you should have an easy time controlling it.
Every chef, cook, or culinary connoisseur has a different hand, which is why everyone has their own preferences.
The best way to check if it feels right is to try it out and hold it yourself.
3. Blade
You also want to check out the blade when buying.
You would want a blade made out of high-carbon stainless steel, which is the best material out there for the blades.
A model with a high-carbon stainless steel blade will be very tough, sharp, and will hold its edge for a long time.
You also want to get the right-sized blade, as the wrong size might end up causing you some trouble in the kitchen.
4. Handle
The handle is very important when it comes to kitchen knives, as it makes sure you have a safe and comfortable grip on it.
Handle materials vary with knives, but premium knives will have either a G10 or laminated wood handle, which offers a natural grip, and since these are waterproof materials they also keep your
FAQ’s
1. What Knife Do You Use For Cutting Vegetables?
This will depend on your cooking style, but ideally, you’d want to use either a utility or a Nakiri
A utility
2. What Is The Best Vegetable Knife ?
Our top pick for the best is the Nakiri that comes from DALSTRONGS Shogun Series X.
It’s very sharp, made of high-quality materials, and is very comfortable to use.
It’s also a very flexible one that can be used for other cutting tasks as well and is a suitable pick for both professionals and home cooks.
3. What Is The Best Knife For Cutting Tomatoes?
Ideally, you’d want to have a very sharp one to cut tomatoes.
The best knives for this job are chef knives, Nakiri knives, utility knives, and santoku knives.
However, if you don’t have a sharp blade on hand, try looking for a serrated one, this will cut through a tomato with ease.
4. Do You Need A Santoku?
If you find yourself cutting and slicing fish often, a santoku is a great blade.
It can be used for fish, vegetables, and fruits, which makes it a great blade for those who are diving into Japanese cuisine.
However, if you plan on cutting meat and vegetables and not cutting too much fish, you might have better luck with a standard chef
5. What Is A Vegetable Knife Called?
There a lot of knives out there for vegetables and they have different names such as Nakiri, utility
But generally, these knives are simply referred to as vegetable cleavers, these are knives with a wide blade that you can use to move the ingredients from a cutting board to a pan.
Conclusion
There are four or five must-have blades in the kitchen: the Chef’s
But just recently, some top chefs have been remarking upon the usefulness of one specific tool – the vegetable cleaver.
We can understand why too as this incredibly thin yet surprisingly tough, broad tool is just as versatile as those aforementioned.
It can make delicate slices like juliennes and paper-thin sheets, cut through hard root vegetables like pumpkins, and be used as a spatula!
Two pieces from Dalstrong are lauded by many as some of the best: the Nakiris of Gladiator and Shogun Series.
Gladiator’s Nakiri, made from German Thyssenkrupp steel, features the round indents along a sharply ground bevel. For a Dalstrong, this is relatively low-priced.
The Shogun is a bit pricier. But with its hammered top, Damascus motif in the middle, and mirror-polished edge, that’s understandable. This is also sharper than the one above with 8 degrees per side.
But for those who like a functional and flashy-looking piece without breaking the bank, the fully-forged TUO Chinese cleaver is a great buy.
Further reading:
How to Cut Vegetables: 8 Cuts Every Cook Should Know
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Ryan Leavitt
Hi my name is Ryan Leavitt a Marine Corps Veteran and currently an over the road trucker (Long Haul). I am no expert chef but am enjoying preparing my own meals on the road and testing all the different knives.
We give these knives a quick twirl and review, and then we pass them on to a few lucky home chefs!
