The 5 Best Sushi Knife Options of 2019 (What You Need To Know)

The art of making sushi is one that has a long history in more than just recipes and ingredients. In fact, the tools to make sushi have been just as important in that history.

When you want to make sushi, you’ll want the best sushi knife. With hundreds of options to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down what type of knife will work best for you.

There are a few ways to select the best sushi knife. Here are the top choices that stand out among the rest as the knives that you might consider adding to your kitchen!

**Below, you'll find more detailed reriews, but you can click links above to see current prices and read customer's reviews on Amazon

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How To Choose The Best Sushi Knife

There’s a lot to know about sushi knives. In fact, there are actually many types of sushi knives that are meant to have different functions.

As kitchens utensils have developed and people want to use one sushi knife at home, a “santoku” style sushi knife has been created. This kind of knife is meant to be able to handle all steps of making and cutting sushi and is probably the most popular kind.

Still, there’s a lot you should consider about a sushi knife before purchasing it. Choosing a first knife is a big deal, and there’s a lot to consider:

The most important things to look at are the following characteristics.

What Material Is It Made From?

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The best sushi knives are typically made from high-carbon steel. This is the best type of steel to use, but it also requires the most maintenance. You need to make sure it’s washed, dried and maintained properly or it may rust. Still, it performs the best.

VG10 is currently the most popular type of high-quality, high-carbon steel. It is affordable but stands up well over time. It still needs to be hand washed and well cared for so that it doesn’t rust.

Other sushi knives are often made of stainless steel because it’s easier to take care of. While this is more convenient, stainless steel is not as sharp as carbon steel, so carbon steel is usually preferable.

Lastly, some sushi knives are made from composite steel. This type of steel is just as sharp as carbon steel, and it doesn’t rust. However, it is incredibly expensive, so carbon steel is still the best option.

What Is The Blades Length And Bevel?

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It’s important to look at the blade on the sushi knife and its length before purchasing.

Some sushi knives have a unique style of blade. The blade can have a single angle bevel to it. This means that one side is sharp and the other side is flat. This type of cut enables you to make a straight cut while preventing rice and vegetables from sticking to the knife.

If a sushi knife does not have a good beveled edge, it will be more difficult to create perfect slices. Still, some sushi knives that have even edges that work very well. You have to consider what is important to you, and then decide if you need the pro bevel edge.

Another important part of the sushi knife to consider is how long the blade is. A long blade is essential for being able to filet smoothly in one pass. If the blade is too short, you’ll find that you cannot fillet and slice the ingredients without jagged edges. You want perfect edges for perfect sushi!

What Is The Handle Like?

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When you’re using a sushi knife, you want it to sit in your hand without feeling awkward or out of place. Handles can be made out of any material, but you will want something that looks nice and is durable.

Additionally, the handle should be made of a material like wood that is sanitary and easy to clean. You don’t want to be dealing with intricate carvings on a sushi knife handle because that will be difficult to clean. Instead, stick to a simple, smooth handle design.

The most important factor is still that it is comfortable and feels secure in your hand.

Finally, if you’re left-handed, keep this in mind when shopping for a knife because of how the blade is formed. You will want to make sure the beveled edge of the blade is on the proper side to match your hand coordination, so consider this when looking at blades and handles.

How Does It Need To Be Sharpened?

To get the most out of your sushi knife, you will want to know how to sharpen it. Most knives will need to be sharpened fairly often for the best results, so make sure to read any knife’s instructions on how it should be sharpened.

Take a look at this video, which shows a sharpening technique:

If the sharpening skills seem to be out of your skill level, learn how to sharpen it properly or look for another knife. Using a dull sushi knife is just as bad as not owning a sushi knife at all!

How Will It Stand Up Over Time?

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Always remember to consider the long-lasting value of your knife. You don’t want to put a lot of money into any kitchen utensil that is going to become a one-hit wonder because it breaks immediately.

Is the knife you’re looking at durable? Will the handle and blade stand up to a lot of use? Or will it start to bend or slip within a few short months?

Secondly, does it come with a sheath or not? Having a sheath for your sushi knife can help protect it from accidental damage and also keep the blade’s condition from deteriorating.

If you consider all of these important factors when looking at sushi knives, you’ll be sure to come home with the best sushi knife for you!

The Top 5 Best Sushi Knife Options

1. DALSTRONG Chef Knife - Shogun Series Gyuto - VG10 - 9.5”

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The first knife is the DALSTRONG Chef Knife Shogun Series Gyuto VG10. This knife is 9.5” long, and it’s a top choice for both its style and its functionality. The blade is high-quality carbon steel, and the handle is a sleek design that is comfortable and easy to use. This award-winning knife won’t disappoint you.

PROS	CONS
Made of VG10 high carbon steel, which is a newer, super steel that holds an edge very well Well-made Very easy-to-clean Comes in a beautiful box which cuts very well Good blade profile DALSTRONG engravings on the sides Great, versatile length Blade is well-balanced, not too heavy Includes informative brochure	Not a good knife for people with very large hands since the blade is not very wide Needs to be sharpened often or the edge will dull considerably Sheath is low-quality Not dishwasher safe; hand wash only

2. Tojiro DP Gyutou - 8.2"

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The next knife I’d like to introduce is the 8.2” Tojiro DP Gyutou knife. This knife has a very classic Japanese design that you might think of when you think of sushi, and you won’t be disappointed by how well it works! This knife can be used by left and right-handed users, which is great for households with both.

PROS	CONS
Can be used by left and right-handed chefs since it has an even blade angle Made from VG10 steel which is one of the strongest, high-carbon super metals Razor sharp blade can cut make surgical style cuts Balance and weight is very good Beautiful design and packaging Comfortable in your hand Great knife for sushi beginners	Even, not beveled, edge Not dishwasher safe; hand wash only Things can stick to the back heel of the blade while cutting Must be routinely sharpened

3. Kai Wasabi Black Yanagiba Knife, 8 1/4-Inch

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The next knife comes in at 8.25” and is the Kai Wasabi Black Yanagiba knife. Life the previous knife, this has a very classic, Japanese style. The knife is made of high-carbon, stainless steel to keep the blade both strong and easy-to-clean. Overall, the knife is slick, inexpensive, and a contender for the best sushi knife around.

PROS	CONS
Quality knife for the price Very sharp out of the box Well-balanced blade Blade very resistant to corrosion and spotting Doesn’t need to be sharpened very often, 1-2 times per year Great budget, beginner’s knife Free lifetime sharpening from manufacturer	Must be hand washed every time you use it Knife is a bit light Not made of VG10 steel Handle is made of plastic Knife too thin to go through bone (but this is common to sushi knives)

4. Okami Knives Chef's Knife - Tomodachi Series 8'' Gyuto - VG10

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Another great sushi knife is the 8” Gyuto knife in the Tomodachi Series by Okami Knives. Not only does this knife come in a beautiful box, but it has a beautiful design that will remain strong for many years to come. This knife is considered multi-purpose and is great for more than just sushi - you can use it as an all-around chef’s knife in your kitchen.

PROS	CONS
Simple, elegant looking knife Very lightweight Sharp straight out of the box Great edge retention Made of super steel Quality Pakka wood handle Well-balanced blade Great quality for the price point	Slightly short blade Knife can chip on bone, very hard materials Might feel too light for some chefs Half tang knife Must be hand washed and maintained

5. Mercer Culinary Asian Collection Yanagi Sashimi Knife

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The final knife today is the Mercer Culinary Asian Collection Yanagi Sashimi Knife. While this knife is technically a sashimi knife (it is more even edged, not beveled), it’s still a great option for those willing to learn how to use it. It’s made of high-carbon, German steel and will stand up to many durability tests.

PROS	CONS
Great 12” blade length Blade has good edge retention over time Fantastic knife for the price Very lightweight Handle is comfortable to hold	Blade will dull quickly on glass or ceramic countertop; need to use the right cutting board Needs to be hand washed and maintained well Blade is very long Needs to be sharpened very often to keep it razor sharp Very thin blade Handle is made out of plastic

Get Slicing With Your Favorite Knife!

Choosing a sushi knife can seem like an overwhelming task, and it can be if you worry too much about extra features, the history of the company, or owning every type of sushi knife on the market. Instead, stop worry about unnecessary details.

When you focus on the most important characteristics of a good sushi knife, however, it’s clear that the DALSTRONG Shogun Series Gyuto 9.5" chef knife is the best, most versatile option. This knife is made of great materials and is very durable. While not the cheapest knife on the market, it will prove its value in no time thanks to its incredible design.

Remember that a sushi knife is very important to making great sushi. Don’t skip the details, and get the best sushi knife around by paying attention to the values covered above. If you do, you’ll have a razor sharp blade that you can use for years to come.