ULTIMATE TOP 8 JAPANESE KITCHEN KNIVES OF 2023

After a jam-packed year in the world of Japanese Knives, Naoto and Nathan have rounded up 5 (well, 8) winners to come out on top above the rest. Naoto is the lead knife buyer for Knifewear and our ambassador to Japan. He gets access to hundreds of makers, and chooses the best handmade Japanese kitchen knives for us to sell at our stores. These are the ones that came out on top:
Glestain K-Series Gyuto 210mm
knifewear.com/products/glesta...
Hado Sakai Sumi Bunka 180mm
knifewear.com/products/hado-s...
Masakage Yuki Santoku 165mm
knifewear.com/products/masaka...
Mutsumi Hinoura "Ajikataya" Shirogami Kurouchi Gyuto 210mm
knifewear.com/products/mutsum...
Yu Kurosaki SG2 Folding Knife 110mm
knifewear.com/products/yu-kur...
Sakai Takayuki Sanpo Shirogami Kasumi Gyuto 210mm
knifewear.com/products/sakai-...
Nigara VG10 Tsuchime Damascus Kiritsuke Gyuto 240mm
knifewear.com/products/nigara...
Satoshi Nakagawa X Naohito Myojin Aoichi Damascus Sakimaru Sujihiki 330mm
knifewear.com/products/satosh...
Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:50 Glestain K-Series Gyuto 210mm
2:57 Hado Sakai Sumi Bunka 180mm
5:31 Masakage Yuki Santoku 165mm
7:42 Mutsumi Hinoura "Ajikataya" Shirogami Kurouchi Gyuto 210mm
10:51 Yu Kurosaki SG2 Folding Knife 110mm
12:45 Sakai Takayuki Sanpo Shirogami Kasumi Gyuto 210mm
17:08 Nigara VG10 Tsuchime Damascus Kiritsuke Gyuto 240mm
19:40 Satoshi Nakagawa X Naohito Myojin Aoichi Damascus Sakimaru Sujihiki 330mm
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Пікірлер: 63

  • @danielalonso9711
    @danielalonso97115 ай бұрын

    I bought Nigara Hamono VG10 damascus set during the Garage Sale and find myself just opening the kitchen drawer to look at it or show it off.

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    5 ай бұрын

    That's awesome! They're so stunning.

  • @Mspurrier88
    @Mspurrier883 ай бұрын

    The Glestain knife is in my collection. It is my go-to knife for slicing potatoes. It really works.

  • @GrantHendrick
    @GrantHendrick4 ай бұрын

    Fun and helpful to see what Naoto and Nathan like. It is great to get me insight into the various makers. Looking forward to more great content in 2024. Thank you!

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks Grant, have a great rest of your year!

  • @douglasborgaro6801
    @douglasborgaro6801Ай бұрын

    What rear artistry and craftsmanship in making these knives. That’s what’s so captivating about Japanese knives, they are fine works of art!

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    Ай бұрын

    I couldn't agree more!

  • @Archangel2277
    @Archangel22773 ай бұрын

    I got a Masakage Koishi AS Gyuto 240mm a while back from you guys, its like a piece of art and i love it, never see Masakage Koishis getting a ton of love perhaps you guys can shoot a little love Koishi's way in a vid :) love the vids keep it up! Great knives this video cant wait to get another!

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    3 ай бұрын

    Hey, good observation! In all honesty, I avoid talking about them because we can never keep them in stock and I hate to disappoint folks! That said, they're amazing knives. My second knife was a Koishi nakiri and it's still one of my favourites.

  • @Archangel2277

    @Archangel2277

    3 ай бұрын

    @KnifewearKnives can completely understand that, I just saw my knife was sold out yesterday! Thank you for the response and the content. I love it!

  • @Zzulu2
    @Zzulu24 ай бұрын

    Can you make a ranking for mid range knives? I can't pay 400-600 dollars for a knife bro, or you know, almost 2000 dollars for your no.1 pick... It just seems like you're paying for the brand, like Gucci or any other prestige brand that costs way too much. I wan't to know about the cheaper knives that can cut well

  • @e30Birdy
    @e30Birdy5 ай бұрын

    I have a Nakagawa x Myojin 240 gyuto, that thing is such a beast. Whoever picks up that slicer is getting a hell of a knife

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    5 ай бұрын

    Glad to hear it!

  • @user-dm8ig2yf8d
    @user-dm8ig2yf8d4 ай бұрын

    LOVE the Gary Numan album AND Miami Vice soundtrack!

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    4 ай бұрын

    A person of culture, I see!

  • @CoffeeggSPWL
    @CoffeeggSPWL5 ай бұрын

    I own a Tsunehisa Aogami Super Stainless Clad Hammered Kurouchi Kiritsuke Gyuto 210mm Rose wood Handle that knife stays sharp for so long and it is such a beauty. When you buy this knife you get a beast of a knife.

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    5 ай бұрын

    That's an awesome blade!

  • @Aldissimo90
    @Aldissimo905 ай бұрын

    Just purchased a Zuiun Gyuto 210mm in Japan and then I discovered your channel, please tell me it's a good knife 😅

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    5 ай бұрын

    It is! We sell those and love them!

  • @illustrious1
    @illustrious14 ай бұрын

    This was excellent. Thank you.

  • @Bloodstryke
    @Bloodstryke5 ай бұрын

    That sujihiki is a literal sword. 😮 I don't know how you would use that to cut food with one hand.

  • @JustJimJr
    @JustJimJrАй бұрын

    Excellent video. I just scored a few knives from M. Hirr... ever hear of this guy? I love Japanese knives.

  • @JustJimJr

    @JustJimJr

    Ай бұрын

    A couple of Santoku looking knives

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    Ай бұрын

    I've never heard of them, I'll try to track them down!

  • @kylerbloom8639
    @kylerbloom8639Ай бұрын

    You guys should review Ogata’s line of knives not that popular but it’s absolutely amazing

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    Ай бұрын

    We've got some before, hopefully we will again!

  • @reinhard4397
    @reinhard4397Ай бұрын

    looking to get a mid budget (around 400-800$) yanagiba, any recs on what to get? was previously looking at either a takayuki homura guren aogami #2 300mm or a takayuki seiryu damascus 300mm. any other recs would be highly appreciated too! thanks!

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    Ай бұрын

    Hey, that Homura Guren would definitely be my first choice! I also love these two: knifewear.com/collections/yanagiba/products/sakai-byakko-shirogami-1-ebony-handle-yanagiba-300mm knifewear.com/collections/yanagiba/products/sakai-takayuki-uzushio-yanagiba-300mm

  • @EvilMonsterful
    @EvilMonsterful4 ай бұрын

    Question: how do you go about sharpening convex edges? I believe if you use a whetstone you'll pretty quickly re-profile that edge into a "V"? I've got a convex Japanese Gyuto and have been pretty hesitant to sharpen it because of this. I've just been stropping it with some diamond compound. Let me know your thoughts!

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    4 ай бұрын

    Hey, we actually made a video on that! kzread.info/dash/bejne/Yqhpj89pcs_Snc4.htmlsi=xbdBMEReKNNnxkgF

  • @parkarlsson3833
    @parkarlsson383310 күн бұрын

    Try satake Knifes ...

  • @angelgalvan6048
    @angelgalvan60482 ай бұрын

    didnt expect them to pull out a zanpakuto at the end there lol

  • @Aki-px6qz
    @Aki-px6qz5 ай бұрын

    What is the right height of the table your chopping board stays on to chop effortlesely without stressing your shoulders.?ANYBOBY?

  • @einundsiebenziger5488

    @einundsiebenziger5488

    4 ай бұрын

    Depends on how tall you are and what feels most comfortable to you. Experiment with cutting boards of different thicknesses, I'd suggest.

  • @indytodd6102
    @indytodd610229 күн бұрын

    that Nakagawa is 100%

  • @takleung7130
    @takleung71305 ай бұрын

    Here's an idea for a video or short. The ping that a knife blade makes when you hit it lightly with something. Notably a Moritaka AS blade. Does that ping have any bearing on the quality or construction of the knife?

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    5 ай бұрын

    That's a great idea! To my knowledge it doesn't mean anything, but fun to do regardless.

  • @sacoto98

    @sacoto98

    5 ай бұрын

    I'm pretty sure one of the tests you can do to make sure you got your heat treatment right, is holding your handleless knife slightly behind it's balance point and about 3 inches above an anvil, let the tip fall whilst still holding the knife and hit the anvil and evaluate the heat treatment by the noise it makes and how the knife bounces off the anvil

  • @takleung7130

    @takleung7130

    5 ай бұрын

    @@sacoto98 Hmm, interesting. Is this something that some knife makers do? I've never heard of this. Do you know for certain? I can imagine a well seasoned smith doing it. Thank you.

  • @sacoto98

    @sacoto98

    5 ай бұрын

    @@takleung7130 I follow this blacksmith on Instagram and from time to time he posts stories doing it and saying it's one of his ways of telling if he got the heat treatment right

  • @einundsiebenziger5488
    @einundsiebenziger54884 ай бұрын

    Can anyone explain the use of a bunka or kiritsuke? Are they just bad-ass looking santokus and gyutos, or does the clipped tip serve an actual purpose? Would really appreciate the info.

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    4 ай бұрын

    A Bunka is just a badass santoku! They were invented around the same time and varied depending on maker. The Kiritsuke gyuto descends from the single bevel Kiritsuke. Sometimes it's just a gyuto with a more badass tip, sometimes it has a flatter edge. Some folks find the Bunka or Kiritsuke tip a little more precise, I find it about the same.

  • @apilkey
    @apilkey4 ай бұрын

    @KnifewearKnives what Japanese Knives would you say are the “Rolls Royce” of knives bearing no cost in mind? I bought my wife a Shun knife but I imagine those are just “regular” Japanese knives but still a step up from your department store knife. Back to car analogies they’re maybe a BMW, but there’s still better knives out there. With soo many Japanese knife brands I have no clue which ones are contested to be at the very top line the pinnacle best of the best. What would you say are your top 3 and perhaps you don’t even sell them which is fine as well?

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    4 ай бұрын

    Hey, great question! Shun are fantastic, but you can definitely get crazier. My top lines currently are: Masashi Yamamoto. One of the best blacksmiths out there. Incredible quality and some very fancy options if you're into that. knifewear.com/collections/masashi-yamamoto Ryusen. Extremely slick, fantastic fit & finish and performance! knifewear.com/collections/ryusen Anything forged by Satoshi Nakagawa and sharpened by Naohito Myojon. Incredible blacksmith & sharpener duo making some of the best blades available today: knifewear.com/products/tetsujin-hamono-aogami-kasumi-gyuto-240mm

  • @DarkStriker42
    @DarkStriker425 ай бұрын

    Would you say the masakage yuki santoku is better than “the best santoku you ever used” the masashi vs1 kaijin santoku?

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    5 ай бұрын

    It's really a matter of personal preference. Given the choice, I would get the Masashi, but the Yuki is fantastic!

  • @30gaming83
    @30gaming832 ай бұрын

    As someone looking to get my first kind of "legit" all-around chef's style knife (previously only having used $40-50 USD western chef knives), and increasingly being swayed toward a Japanese knife over German/Western style, what do you think about something like the Yoshihiro VG-10 46 layer (NSW Hammered Damascus Series) Gyuto 210mm (~190 USD)? Or, even on the more basic looking lower end something like a Tojiro (classic?) vg-10 3 layer ($100 USD). Alternatively, might you have any others that you'd recommend I consider in the $100 - 200'ish USD range? I'm increasingly interested in getting something with a bit more artisan/crafted look and feel to it, but wouldn't make (practical) sense for me to go too far down the rabbit hole. Thanks so much.

  • @30gaming83

    @30gaming83

    2 ай бұрын

    If I can make it work practically and financially, I'd really love a truly handcrafted kitchen knife to support the individual craftsman and artist as well.

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    2 ай бұрын

    Hey, that's awesome! I've never used the Yoshihiro but I imagine they're great! The Tojiro is a phenomenal blade, especially for the price. One step up would be a knife from Haruyuki, like the Kokuto or Goma series. If you want to try a handmade artisan without breaking the bank, check out the work of Masashi Yamamoto. His Kaijin line is quite affordable for how much work goes into it! knifewear.com/collections/shop?q=masashi+kaijin

  • @30gaming83

    @30gaming83

    2 ай бұрын

    @@KnifewearKnives thanks so much for your help

  • @30gaming83

    @30gaming83

    2 ай бұрын

    @@KnifewearKnives I actually watched the full Springhammer documentary yesterday 😆I was drawn to him in that doc.

  • @jackhowell8708
    @jackhowell87085 ай бұрын

    Gleatain K-series: don’t suppose they do it for lefties?

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    5 ай бұрын

    Sadly not, hopefully one day!

  • @einundsiebenziger5488

    @einundsiebenziger5488

    4 ай бұрын

    So, unfortunately the only dimpled knife where the dimples make sense, makes no sense for lefties.

  • @DobromirManchev
    @DobromirManchev2 ай бұрын

    That last one is kinda more of a short sword / wakizashi, than a kitchen knife :D

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    2 ай бұрын

    Totally 😂

  • @The_Musical_Zoid
    @The_Musical_Zoid2 ай бұрын

    Do you ship internationally?

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    2 ай бұрын

    Yes! Knifewear.com

  • @timonwoudenberg1569
    @timonwoudenberg15694 ай бұрын

    I have got a bunka zdp189. Wow. That’s all

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    4 ай бұрын

    What a great knife!

  • @neilbondad4476
    @neilbondad44762 ай бұрын

    I am just wondering why are this great knife makers in Japan whose work are stunning, of great quality, and most of them are award winning are not in your list, only Satoshi Nakagawa and Yu Kurosaki made it in your list. Here are the best knife makers in Japan in my opinion, some of them produce knives that are affordable and some are expensive. Takeshi Saji Satoshi Nakagawa Yoshikazu Ikeda Tsuyoshi Yoshizawa (吉澤 剛) Takeshi Saji 佐治 武士 Makoto Tadokoro 田所 真琴 / Tadokoro Hamono 田所刃物 Kenji Togashi Shigeki Tanaka Yoshikazu Tanaka 田中 義一 Yoshimi Kato 加藤 義実 / Kato Uchihamono カトウ打刃物 Yu Kurosaki 黒崎 優 Yoshito Yamakawa Kei Kobayashi 小林 圭 / Kobayashi Hocho 小林包丁 Kisuke Manaka 間中 貴輔 Naohito Myojin Satoshi Nakagawa (中川 悟志) Yoshikane Hamono 吉金刃物 Yoshihiro Yauji 弥氏 良寛

  • @KnifewearKnives

    @KnifewearKnives

    2 ай бұрын

    Great question! These were just our picks for 2023 and we had to narrow it down. We do a video every year and have featured many of those makers in the past and will in the future!

  • @Atreusz
    @Atreusz5 ай бұрын

    Nothing for me, either shirogami or VG10 (not a fan of that at all) or unaffordably expensive. No, for me personally there are definitely better knives from this year or that I discovered this year like Shiro Kamo Tora or Hatsukokoro Hayabusa Santoku.

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