Did you know?
Most people wonder whether it is a must to have a sashimi or sushi
Well, owning these knives is not necessarily a requirement for making your sushi taste better or even smell nice.
However, these blades make the preparation of sushi and sashimi more convenient and fun.
A sharp sushi
And if you’re still searching for the best sushi knives for your money, take a quick look at my favorite list below.
I’m sure they will be great choices for you as well.
The Best Sushi Knife for Your Money (Updated List)
* Featured Listing *
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How Many Different Japanese Knife Types For Sushi Out There?
Sushi knives come in 3 different types. These include:
Deba-bocho knife
This is a heavy-duty meat cleaver that is ideal for cutting through fish cartilage and bones.
The cleaver has its origin in Kansai, Osaka in Japan. It is designed mostly for commercial use by professional chefs and hence may not be a requirement for preparing sushi at home.
The best thing about this cleaver is that it helps in filleting a large fish wholly without damaging it.
However, you should not slam it down like you would for common cleavers or even use it for chopping meat from large bones.
Usuba-bocho knife
This is a vegetable blade that is ideal for fine peeling, cutting, slicing, and chopping. This one works best with vegetables than with meat.
As such, it is not recommendable to use the blade on meat especially hard meat like beef and pork. The thin blade cuts through fruits and vegetables without damaging or crushing the cells.
Yanagiba knife
Also known as the standard sashimi
The most fascinating aspect of this blade is that it is a special
The blade is designed for precise and accurate sashimi slicing. The blade is long and thin for easy maneuverability around fish bones.
We give these knives a quick twirl and review, and then we pass them on to a few lucky home chefs!
How to Choose a Good Knife for Sushi
While buying a sushi
This is because there are several considerations you need to make before you can settle on the best sushi/sashimi
These considerations include:
Blade and handle materials
The most predominant feature of the best sushi knives is that they are extremely sharp and can retain sharpness for a long time.
Therefore, you need to settle on a blade made using a high carbon steel type or a hard steel alloy.
The most common steel in high-end sushi and sashimi knives is VG-10 due to its razor-like sharpness and edge retention.
Handle materials are also important since they give the handle its feel and look.
Therefore, you need to settle on a
Additionally, the handle should have a comfortable grip.
Blade length
The length of typical sushi and sashimi knives ranges between 7” and 13” or even longer.
It is worth noting that for sushi knives, the longer the blade is, the easier and effortless it is to use the
This is because the best slicing motion is a single, consistent cut throughout the food item.
Depending on the food types you want to slice with the
Budget
Like other specialty knives, sushi knives are priced differently depending on factors like brand, quality, and materials used among other factors.
This is why you must have a budget before you start shopping for the ideal
With a budget, it will become easy for you to buy a
Brands of the knives
The brand is yet another important consideration when buying a sushi
Some brands are synonymous with quality, functionality, performance, and reliability.
However, other brands are poor in quality and tend to fall apart within no time.
You should avoid such brands as they are a waste of your hard-earned cash.
Review of the Top Rated Sushi Knives
Lucky Cook (Best Performance)
For chefs and cooks who prefer all-round sushi knives that are also multi-purpose, the Sashimi Sushi
Designed for use with delicate products
This 10-inch Lucky Cook features a special design that makes the cutting-edge ideal for cutting and slicing delicate products including sushi rolls and raw fish. The edge does not crush or tear the structure of these foods. The narrow asymmetric blade allows cooks to fillet a large fish in only two or fewer movements.
Japanese traditions
This one bears all the high-quality Japanese traditions in its design and construction. For starters, it boasts of a good balance, superior quality stainless steel, ultra-sharp blade, and a comfortable non-slip handle. The blade is rust-free, stain-resistant, and does not get discolored by any food. It is also easy to control for beginners and amateurs.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9.5/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 9/10
Pros:
- Well balanced blade and handle
- Moisture-resistant non-slip handle
- Ideal for multi-purpose use in the kitchen
- A narrow asymmetric blade that is flexible for easy maneuverability
- Right-sided bevel for separating slices from the rest of the food
Cons:
- The super-sharp blade can inflict injuries if mishandled
Interesting
Mercer Culinary Yanagi (Best for Beginners)
Mercer Culinary blades are popular for combining beauty and performance in all their knives. True to this, the Yanagi is known for its ease of handling, precision, and accuracy when slicing sushi and sashimi. The blade is also multi-purpose and can be used for filleting fish or even slicing poultry.
High-Carbon German Steel
The blade in this Mercer Culinary sushi
Single-edge blade and traditional wood handle
It comes with a single-edge blade that is taper ground using a fine stone polish and finishes for straightness and sharpness. The blade cuts smooth and clean slices thereby enhancing your sushi preparation experience. What is more unique about the
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 8.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Razor-sharp cutting edge
- Comfortable non-slip handle
- Made using high-carbon German steel with excellent properties
- Allows for smooth and precise cuts
- A practical
knife for beginners
Cons:
- It is not dishwasher recommended
Dalstrong Yanagiba Sushi Knife (Best Design)
Dalstrong blades are arguably the most sought-after blades in the market due to their uniqueness, peak performance, reliability, and durability. The 9.5” Yanagi Phantom Series
The Dalstrong Touch
The blade in this
Classy design
The narrow blade in the
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 8/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Practical
knife for sushi chefs - Perfect style and functionality combination
- Highly decorated and comfortable handle
- Strong and solid blade
- Flexible and maneuverable blade for best slicing experience
Cons:
- Beginners may find the
knife hard to use
Related:
PAUDIN (Best for Beginners)
This PAUDIN one comes with a unique blade design that has a waved pattern that not only reduces drag and prevents food from getting stuck on the blade but also enhances the appearance of the
Sharp and precise cuts
The German stainless steel used in making this blade has a Rockwell hardness of 56+ and a 15-degree edge for long-lasting sharpness. This 0.2mm blade is resistant to rusting, discoloring, and staining. As such, its use in the kitchen is not limited to any ingredients as it can also be used on acidic and colored foods. The edge retention in the blade is excellent and hence it does not need to be sharpened now and then.
Well balanced with an ergonomic handle
It boasts of a balanced weight distribution that in turn enhances perfect control, precision, and accuracy when cutting. The ergonomic handle is completely safe since its non-slip and has a comfortable grip. Therefore, with this blade, you will not strain your wrist even when using the
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8/10
- Handling: 8/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Ultra-sharp and durable blade
- Effortless and easy cutting
- Excellent edge retention
- Comfortable non-slip grip
- Perfect for multi-purpose use around the kitchen
Cons:
- Not recommended to wash in a dishwasher
Happy Sales (Budget Choice)
For right-handed chefs and cooks who prefer using sushi blades that are specially designed for their predominant hands, the Happy Sales Japanese Long Sashimi Sushi
Long slender blade
The stainless-steel blade is long and slender for easy flexibility and maneuvering through rice rolls, sushi slices, and fish fillet. The design of the blade also makes it ideal for making long and thin sheets of steak. However, you should not use the blade with tough and hard foods such as massive meat carcasses to prevent dulling.
Comfortable handle with non-slip properties
The handle in this product is designed and built for classic handling in the kitchen. The wooden handle has excellent moisture resistance and hence you need not get worried about the handle getting damaged by splashes of water in the kitchen. Additionally, it has a smooth round surface that is easy to grasp and grip securely for fine cutting and control of the blade.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8/10
- Handling: 8/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8/10
Pros:
- Superior design and construction
- Multi-purpose blade
- Ergonomic handle with superb water resistance properties
- Lightweight and well-balanced
- Easy to care for and maintain
Cons:
- The blade is not full tang
Kai Wasabi (Best for Control)
The Kai Wasabi Yanagiba is a professional chef’s sushi and sashimi
Bead-blasted blade
The design and construction of this Kai Wasabi
Sturdy handle and edge retention
The handle in this Kai Wasabi
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8/10
Pros:
- Dishwasher safe
- Sturdy and firm handle
- Attractively finished blade
- Superb edge retention
- Stain-resistant and corrosion-free blade
Cons:
- The single-sided blade limits the use of the blade on massive meat carcasses
Dalstrong Shogun Series S Yanagiba (Best Materials)
This is the ultimate Yanagiba
High-performance blade
The single-bevel blade in this
Traditional Octagon handle
The octagon-shaped wood handle in this Dalstrong
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 8.5/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Extraordinary blade performance and edge retention
- Flexible blade for multi-purpose use
- Metal Storm pattern that minimizes drag while slicing through food
- Outstanding craftsmanship
- Awe-inspiring blade design
Cons:
- Not dishwasher friendly
How Much Does a Sashimi Knife Usually Cost?
The cost of sashimi/sushi knives varies from one
Some knives feature unique craftsmanship, superior quality materials, and award-winning designs. Others are simply designed and feature lower-quality materials. The brand of the
The starting price of these knives is usually about $20 (some brands are slightly cheaper). Some sushi knives cost several hundred dollars especially those that come with gift boxes. The secret to finding an affordable
How to Maintain and Take Care of It
Maintaining and taking care of your sushi knives are some of the best ways of guaranteeing the reliability and durability of the knives. This is because, with poor care and attention, the blades fall apart quickly and wear out at a faster rate. As such, the life of the
Use it for sushi and other soft foods only
A sushi
Do not wash it in a dishwasher
Even though a dishwasher may seem convenient for washing your sushi
Hone and sharpen it often
Irrespective of how sharp your
Avoid frozen food and hard fruits/vegetables
A sushi
How to Hold and Slice Sushi With Your Yanagiba Sushi Knife
Holding your sushi
When holding it, ensure that the thumb and index finger hold onto the blade’s base. Then, you should wrap the rest of the fingers (three) around the
By holding your
When holding yours in the right stance, it becomes possible for you to have precise angle control of your slices and cuts. Always ensure that you have full control of the blade so that you can make your desirable slices and cuts.
Do You Need a Left-Handed Yanagiba Sushi Knife ?
Sushi knives with single bevels are designed for specific hand orientations.
Since most people are right-handed, the default hand orientation in the majority of the sushi knives in the market is right-hand orientation. For left-handed chefs and cooks, it goes without saying that they will need left-hand oriented single bevel sushi knives. Despite these types of knives being less common, it is not hard to find them when shopping for the best sashimi knives.
For high-end sushi knives, you may need to place a special order for left-handed sushi knives. This is because these blades are not mass-produced and hence finding the blades may be quite hard. For double-edged knives, you need not worry about hand orientation since these blades accommodate everyone.
It is worth north noting that for lefties, buying a right-handed sushi
Should I Buy a Knife For Sushi From Dalstrong?
A firm “yes” from me!
The brand is one of my favorites since they have a lot of great knives that almost everyone would fall in love with.
So, definitely give them a try.
Yanagiba Vs. Sujihiki
Most people especially those from across the globe in countries other than Japan use these terms interchangeably. Ideally, these types of knives are quite different from each other in terms of design and construction. Ideally, a Yanagiba blade is a single bevel blade that is specifically made for slicing sashimi and sushi. This
Sujihiki knives on the other hand feature double-edged blades and their designs are similar to those of Western knives. These blades can be sharpened on both edge sides. Besides, these blades do not have any limitations in terms of use and functionality. This is because of everyone; whether right or left-handed.
Sujihiki blades are thicker, heavier, and more robust in comparison to Yanagiba knives. The Yaganiba blade is made from high carbon steel and is thin and lightweight. These knives (Yaganiba) are complex to use and hence require better skills and practice to handle and use. They are also more susceptible to oxidation and hence need better care, attention, and maintenance.
Conclusion
If you plan on making sushi or slicing sashimi in your kitchen, getting the right
While using a sashimi
Our #1 pick is the Dalstrong Phantom Series Yanagiba knife, as it’s specifically designed to slice raw fish and sushi in a Japanese kitchen.
These blades are used by professional chefs and boast superior craftsmanship, which is why it would be a worthwhile investment for any sushi enthusiast out there.
Another great option for chefs is the Mercer Culinary Asian Collection Yanagi Knife.
This blade is also designed for sushi and sashimi and it’s also single-beveled, sticking to traditional Japanese
But if you’re an average home cook who needs a nice and sharp sushi
While it doesn’t have the premium features the other two options have, it’s one of the sharpest and most precise blades in its price range.
Further reading:
What Is “Sushi-Grade,” Anyway? A Guide to Eating Raw Fish
Eat It Raw: How to Prepare Sushi and Sashimi
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!
