Kiritsuke knives are some of the best status symbols in the cooking world because of their difficulty and how many executive Japanese chefs use them for cutting mouth-watering fish delicacies. These are versatile blades that help you create incredible meals. That is why we have opted for the Mitsumoto Sakari 8-Inch Japanese Kiritsuke Chef Knife to lead our list of the best for 2022. Of course, your personal tastes and needs may differ. That is why we have also created an excellent chef knife buying guide in case you want to look on your own. Let’s get on our list!
What is a Kiritsuke Knife?
Primarily used in Japanese or Asian-inspired meals, a Kiritsuke blade is a multi-purpose chef knife. The shape and style fall in between the well-known Gyuto and Yanagi knives. The Kiritsuke is a bit longer than the traditional Gyuto and has a sharp angled tip like the Yanagi. This makes it extremely useful for slicing fish and is part of the reason only executive chefs use them. It is treated as a sort of achievement level in cooking because it can be challenging to wield correctly.
What does a Kiritsuke Knife Look Like?
On average, the Kiritsuke chef’s knife measures roughly 240-330mm in length and is used for fish, herbs, vegetables, and chicken. This versatile blade tends to be single-beveled, so you get a razor-sharp edge. There are double bevel variations as well. The most distinctive factor of the Kiritsuke look is that it resembles a Japanese sword with a reverse tanto or clip point tip and a flat heel that can be used for rocking and smashing.
What is a Kiritsuke Knife Used For?
Most chefs use a Kiritsuke to work with fish and vegetables. It has a push/pull feature that creates thin slices of foods used in challenging meals or for unique food presentations. You can find the Kiritsuke in sushi restaurants or family-style places for julienne-style ingredients. Usually, a chef will use a pinch grip to hold the bolster with the remaining three fingers around the handle as the knife is rocked or pulled/pushed. You can also find plenty of western chefs using the tip for precise cuts.
Top 5 Kiritsuke Knives
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1. Mitsumoto Sakari 8-Inch Japanese Kiritsuke Chef Knife – Editor’s Choice
The best balance of features and material quality available on the open market for anyone looking to grow their cooking skills with an expertly designed Kiritsuke knife.
Mitsumoto Sakari 8-Inch Japanese Kiritsuke Chef Knife Specifications
About the knife
All we can say is this is one of the most gorgeous blades you will most likely ever purchase. From the full tang to the tanto tip, you get a razor-sharp double bevel edge that will work with practically any sushi you could want. The pointed heel is a special treat, allowing for even more ingredient versatility when needing a full pull-through for a larger slice of chicken or fish. We especially appreciate the added ornamentation of the blue pomegranate handle and clear bolster for the typical pinch grip.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Never place this beautiful blade in the dishwasher. It is made from high-quality materials that can be damaged in hot water for too long. Instead, use hand washing and drying methods and be sure to store them safely away from children.
Pros:
- Extremely high-quality materials
- Beautiful design and unique handle
- Ultra sharp edge out of the box
Cons:
- A little thicker than traditional Kiritsuke blades
- It can be lighter than what you would expect
- Could use a case or sheath
2. Shun Cutlery Classic Kiritsuke Knife 8”, Master Chef’s Knife
Professional grade traditional Kiritsuke knife is made from modern materials with a unique tip compared to others.
Shun Cutlery Classic Kiritsuke Knife 8”, Master Chef’s Knife Specifications
About the knife
This traditional Japanese Kiritsuke features all of the sharpness, lightweight, and tip maneuverability you could want for thin slices of delicious meals. The tip is slightly different than other blades in that it has a V instead of the more common reverse tanto. This allows for more versatility in food preparation and decoration needs which is helpful with seafood and boneless chicken. If you are looking for the stereotypical Kiritsuke status symbol, this is probably more aligned with your expectations.
Maintenance and Cleaning
You do not have to worry about sharpening because the manufacturer offers free services for life. Do not place it in the dishwasher. Only hand wash and dry thoroughly.
Pros:
- Exceptionally sharp and lightweight
- V-shaped tip for more versatile creations
- Lifetime sharpening services
Cons:
- Meant more for right-handed users
- No rocking with the blade
- It might feel too lightweight for some
3. Kyoku Kiritsuke Chef Knife 8.5”
We had to include beautiful Damascus in our list with traditional Kiritsuke shaping and a wide bolster for maneuverability.
Kyoku Kiritsuke Chef Knife 8.5” Specifications
About the knife
Once you get past the incredibly attractive aesthetics of the blade sides, you will start to see some traditional details that make this Kiritsuke an excellent at-home or gift purchase for a new executive chef. The bolster is placed exceptionally well for a pinch grip, and you get slight ornamentation on the middle of three rivets in the handle. You also have a much sharper double bevel edge than other competitors with a lifetime warranty in case something were to happen to this exquisite blade.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Damascus steel should never be placed in the dishwasher. You need to hand wash, dry thoroughly, and occasionally sharpen with a honing steel.
Pros:
- Beautiful patterning
- Excellent shape design for traditional cooking
- Long handle for improved gripping
Cons:
- On the higher end of our price points
- Heavier blade
- You have to be very careful. It is extremely sharp
4. Katsu Kiritsuke Chef Knife – Damascus
An excellent Kiritsuke option for gifting with a matching wooden sheath that resembles the craftwork of historical blades.
Katsu Kiritsuke Chef Knife – Damascus Specifications
About the knife
We wanted to include this Kiritsuke option on our list because of the saya wooden magnetic sheath and Damascus quality materials. A lot about this blade is still unknown because it is a little rarer than others on our list, but the quality and aesthetics are excellent for gifting to a new executive chef. Some have reported the handle is a little too long, but that is because the blade material is quite heavy, and the manufacturer is trying to offset that weight. Otherwise, this is a premium-grade Kiritsuke knife!
Maintenance and Cleaning
Both the Damascus steel and wooden handle have to be kept outside of a dishwasher as the continual hot water will damage it if not thoroughly dried immediately. Stick to hand washing and drying before resheathing.
Pros:
- Great for waist wearing with the magnetic sheath
- Beautiful wood design
- Longer handle for those with bigger hands
Cons:
- A little off balance due to the material weight
- Hard to use handle for smaller-handed chefs
- Not much of a protective bolster
5. Hezhen Retro Chef Knife Gyuto 8.5-Inch Kiritsuke
A sturdy kitchen option in the traditional Kiritsuke style with a matching sheath for protection against the extra sharp edge.
Hezhen Retro Chef Knife Gyuto 8.5-Inch Kiritsuke Specifications
About the knife
We will wind down our list of the best Kiritsuke Knives of 2022 with this excellent balance of features at a reasonable price point. The reason the price is a little more attractive is probably because of the partial tang, but we find this to be an excellent starter Kiritsuke for those trying out the blade for the first time. That is especially true because it comes with a beautiful gift box and magnetic sheath. Kiritsuke blades are meant for sushi-grade fish, meaning they are refined to be sharp, and you want protection against that if you are not used to maneuvering with such a blade.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Needs to be hand washed and dried. Be really careful when sharpening because this is already prepared for sushi. Do not place it in the washing machine.
Pros:
- Beautiful gift box and matching sheath
- Highly sharpened out of the box
- Excellent balance
Cons:
- Only partial tang
- Not from Japan
- Does require some sharpening and polishing over time
Conclusion
Kiritsuke knives are exceptional pieces of equipment for any home or professional kitchen. They are primarily used for sushi, fish, vegetables, and some chicken and may take a bit to get used to because of their unique size and shape. We hope you have found an excellent option on our list for your own personal use. If you are unsure where to begin, we highly recommend the Mitsumoto Sakari 8-Inch Japanese Kiritsuke Chef Knife. Thank you again, and have fun creating fantastic foods with these unique blades.
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