Did you know that the average life expectancy in Japan is of 85 years?
Did you know that Japan is only second to Monaco when it comes to life expectancy worldwide?
Well now you do!
There are a lot of factors that contribute to this; From the fact that walking and public transportation are the way most Japanese move around; the fact that the country is one of the cleanest countries in the world or the fact that health care is more affordable than in other parts of the world.
However, there’s one factor that’s universally known as the biggest reason behind Japan’s longevity and that’s Japanese Food.
Relatively low in calories, rich in Omegas, vegetables, low in cholesterol, dairy and junk food, it’s known as one of the world’s healthiest diets and few dishes are as widespread and popular around the world as one of Japan’s favorite.
Sushi!
If the idea of introducing sushi to your diet is appealing, then let us help you a bit more by helping you choose one of the most important tools you’ll need for your sushi adventure:
Sushi knives.
We’ve analyzed and tried several sushi knives in order to give you a review of the best sushi knives in the market.
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Types of Sushi Knives
In the broadest terms, there are three types of sushi knives you should keep in mind:
- Yanagi: This is one of the post common sushi knives out there. It’s long and slender and was created with precision in mind.
- Deba: This is a thicker, sturdier knife meant to be used for slicing through thick cuts of fish and even meat. They’re not great for precision work, but you’ll find yourself using them far more often than you ever expected if you decide to get serious with sushi making.
- Usuba: This knife is meant not for fish but rather vegetables and is fantastic to slice them, cut them and make them look their absolute best. This is the knife responsible for presentation, so don’t underestimate its importance.
Thinks To Consider To Find The Best Sushi Knife
As you may be aware, looking for “The Best Sushi Knife” in your favorite search engine will result in thousands of different sushi knives you can choose from; from the most affordable and versatile sushi, to the most expensive and made exclusively with sushi in mind.
- Related article: Best butcher knives
You’ll find knives that come with sushi making kits; You’ll find complete knife sets designed to create sushi; you’ll find single knives that promise to do all the work and so on.
With so many results, you really need to know what you’re looking for in order to be able to choose the best sushi knife for you.
Uses
Sushi has a lot of faces which means that you’ll need different knives in order to achieve different results.
Are you looking for:
- A knife specifically made to cut sushi rolls?
- A knife made to cut boney fish?
- A knife to cut squid or small delicate fish?
- A knife to filet eel?
- A knife to filet thicker slices of fish?
- A knife created to slice paper thin slices?
There are specialized sushi knives for all of these functions, so think about what you’re planning to do with it before buying it.
Or, if you’re a sushi beginner, are about to take a sushi class, or you’re simply trying to make sushi at home, choose a knife that, you feel, can help you perform as many tasks as possible, even if that means doing it with less precision.
BEST SUSHI KNIVES REVIEWS
Now that you know what types of sushi knives are out there, you’re ready to choose the best sushi knife for you:
1. Sagana Kitchenware Sushi Knife
This is a very versatile sushi knife that works wonders for beginners, thanks not only to its affordable price but also because it’s relatively low maintenance.
Built with stainless steel and a rosewood handle that’s both beautiful and comfortable to use, this is a fantastic knife if you’re looking for a chef quality knife while still being in a budget.
The mixture of materials is not only affordable but also makes this knife rust resistant, though we still recommend washing it by hand and air dry it before storing it, as you want to make sure to keep the extra-sharp blade sharp for as long as possible.
While the handle looks good, it’s not particularly ergonomical and while it’s not uncomfortable to use, there are better options for those with large hands or problems gripping things.
That said, the handle is not really a problem, as the blade is fantastic and it will slice through fish with an ease that will amaze you.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Made with stainless steel, which gives it excellent edge retention
- Looks great and works great
Cons:
- While it’s affordable for a sushi knife, it’s expensive compared to other types of knives.
- Not dishwasher safe
Just a look at this knife tells you that it was made for one thing and one thing only: Sushi.
With a sleek and elegant design and an authentic wooden sheathe, this knife looks traditional and absolutely amazing.
We’re not going to lie: It’s expensive and an investment like this one is probably not the kind of investment your regular person will do.
But if you’re looking for a reliable sushi knife that works wonders and aren’t afraid of treating it not like a purchase but like an investment? The Yoshiro Shiroko is the way to go.
If you think the magnolia wood sheathe is just for show, think again. Not only will it protect the ultra sharp, carbon-steel blade from damage when storing it but it will also prevent bacteria formation and will keep your knife sharp and pretty.
This knife also comes with a cleaning oil that will help you with its maintenance because, let’s be clear about this, this knife requires a lot of it.
The blade is amazingly sharp and reliable, capable of cutting incredibly thin fillets and pieces of fish. However, you’ll need to take care of it like the investment it is. Which means handwashing, not using abrasive soaps or sponges to wash it, drying it with soft cloth before storing it, oiling it to keep it at its best and so on.
In short, this knife is both a work of art and a fantastic tool and it should be treated like such.
Consider this knife if you’re looking for an investment, not just a cutting instrument.
Pros:
- Looks amazing
- Comes with a cleaning / caring kit, including a rosewood sheathe
- Incredibly sharp
- Capable of sashimi cuts
Cons:
- Can rust easily if you don’t take good care of it
- Not dishwasher safe
Yet another wonderfully looking knife, this sushi knife is a great option for those looking to create amazing sushi while also impressing people with its stylish looks.
It comes with 3 different lengths, ranging from 8 to 10 inches, and has pakkawood handles that fit comfortable into your palm, offering not only a comfortable grip but also ergonomic benefits, meaning you’ll be able to use this knife for a long time without discomfort.
The blade of this knife was made with a super durable steel that not only is easy to sharpen but is also super sharp, as well as rust resistant and with slight antibacterial properties.
While every piece of this knife is dishwasher safe, we highly discourage its use.
If you want to take good care of your knife, hand wash it and let it air dry or, better yet, dry it with a soft cloth.
While this might seem like too much work for some, think of it this way. Would you be willing to toss an expensive tool into your dishwasher?
Take care of this knife and it will be one of the best investments you’ll make, as it will retain its superb sharpness for a long time.
Treat it like any other knife and you’ll end up with a rusty knife and a lot of bitterness.
One last note:
When we say this knife is sharp we mean it so be very careful when to handle it, be it when cooking or washing it.
No, really.
Pros:
- Very sharp
- Easy to sharpen and very resistant
- Looks great
- Dishwasher safe (though not recommended)
Cons:
- Handle with care! It’s sharp enough to cut you without you feeling it!
Made with a beautiful and comfortable sandalwood handle that’s comfortable and easy to use, this amazing sushi knife is definitely something to write home about.
Its super sharp blade was made with high carbon stainless steel which means it’s very sharp, easy to sharpen and will keep said sharpness for a long time.
Handcrafted to perfection, each of these knives come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee so you know that this investment, since this knife is definitely on the pricey side of things, is a safe deal.
If you don’t like it, which we find hard to believe, you can get your money back.
The knife is expertly balanced, with a weight that feels safe and comfortable in your hand yet light enough to cut through any kind of meat in a single sweep, which makes it one of the best in this list.
It doesn’t come with any attachments, other than the box it’s stored in but you’ll find you don’t need them, as this knife gives you pretty much all you could ask for.
Pros:
- Ultra sharp
- Comfortable and beautiful handle
- Easy to sharpen
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
You’ve seen a lot of fantastic knives in this list but they all have something in common: They’re very expensive and definitely not the tool a newbie should buy.
Why?
Because if you want to try your hand at making sushi, there are way more affordable options at hand.
One of those options? The Kitchen + Home Sushi Knife.
What gave this knife a place in this list isn’t only its affordability but also the quality it offers. It’s sharp, it has great edge retention, it’s been made with stainless steel, it’s dishwasher safe and it comes with a comfortable and secure handle that you’ll love.
Better yet, this knife is quite versatile and will let you cut through a variety of things, so if it turns out you aren’t big of a fan of sushi after all? No problems, you’ll still have a wonderful knife for your kitchen.
Large and in charge, this knife is easy to sharpen and easy to clean, as not only is it dishwasher safe but it’s also non-stick, which means that you’ll only need to swipe a sponge on each side and you’re good to go.
Pros:
- Comfortable handle
- Very sharp
- Affordable
- Dishwasher safe
- Non-stick
Cons:
- Not a professional knife
- While dishwasher safe, hand washing is recommended.
What' The Best Sushi Knife?
Though many of the knives are functional enough for an aspiring sushi chef, the Yoshihiro Shiroko Sushi Chef’s Knife stands out as the clear winner. I strongly recommend this knife because it combines all of the benefits of the previous knives into one affordable package.
Frequently Asked Questions Sushi Knife
Do I need more than a sushi knife?
That’s up to you. If you plan on making sushi from time to time, it’s not necessary.
If you’re planning on dedicating yourself to sushi, then it’s a good idea to invest in a variety of knives.
What’s the difference between a sushi and a sashimi knife?
In broad terms, there’s no real difference between a sushi and a sashimi knife, as long as we’re talking about Yanagi knives.
Sashimi is made with thin slices of fish, so as long as you’re using the type of sushi knives that focus on precision, you should be okay.
Do sushi knives need to be sharpened?
Yes.
You don’t have to do it right away and, if you don’t use sushi knives all that often you might not even have to worry about this.
However, you can’t make sushi with a blunt knife so you’ll find yourself sharpening your sushi knife from time to time just to make sure it slices through fish without any issue.
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