Originally posted on September 14, 2022 @ 9:04 am
“Which one will you buy between usuba knife vs nakiri?” is one of the more common questions. The answer to this question depends on your cooking style, budget and preference for a blade shape and cutting edge length, etc.
Let’s have a look at both blades and see what makes them different from each other.
Usuba and Nariki knives are two popular types of Japanese kitchen knives. The differences between the two types of blades can be found in their cutting style, blade length, weight, and type of steel they’re made from.
By reviewing all detailed key features correctly, you’ll be able to decide which is best for you.
Table of Contents
1. What is a Nakiri Knife?
The Nakiri knife is excellent for chopping vegetables in a vertical-only fashion. It has a straight blade, and its shape allows ample room to prevent your knuckles from getting smashed when you are using it. A standard length of the Nakiri knives is around 5 – 7 inches long, but they come in different sizes as well, depending on what size will fit best with their hand grip circumference.
The Nakiri Knife comes with an almost exclusively flat front (no tip), which can be used only to cut veggies vertically without any push or pull motion at all! In addition, they have thin sharp ultra hard blades that require little effort while doing so too, which makes this Japanese-style knife the perfect tool overall.
2. What Is A Usuba?
The Usuba knife is a Japanese blade designed for cutting fruits and vegetables. The word “Usuba” actually means thin or flat blade, which tells you a bit more about it. This is unique in that they are sharpened on one side of the blades and because sushi knives have similar properties.
This knife is ideal to be used by left-handed chefs (or righties who want to use their non-dominant hands). However, because these knives pull towards opposite directions when held by each hand, most professional cooks prefer using utensils with single-beveled edges like those found on traditional cooking tools such as the Usuba kitchen knife.
Usuba Knife vs Nakiri: Detailed Comparisons
Usuba knife vs Nakiri are two types of Japanese kitchen knives that can be used for different purposes. To find out more about their differences, read the full post on Nakiri vs Usuba knives here.
a. Usuba knife vs Nakiri, similarities:
When comparing two knives, it’s essential to keep in mind the qualities of both and decide which one is best for you. So let’s look at each knife more closely!
- Blade length:
Both are long enough for handling most types of vegetables and fruits. The blade length of an Usuba is usually between 5-8 inches, while the Nakiri blade usually is 7 inches or less.
- Sharpness:
Usuba and Nariki are very sharp which can slice through delicate foods without damaging them.
- Straight edged blade:
Usuba and Nakiri knives are both intended to be used for cutting vegetables. They both have straight-edged blades that enable clean cuts through delicate vegetables without tearing them. Usuba and Nakiri both possess a long blade to slice through most types of vegetables. An Usuba and a Nakiri knife have incredibly sharp blades that enable them to slice through delicate vegetables without tearing them.
- Clean cuts:
Usuba and Nakiri are both made for slicing vegetables. Neither of these knives has a rocking motion that can smash food down while cutting. Therefore they slice with ease through delicate pieces of vegetables.
- It is easy to cut:
It is designed for cutting simply and effortlessly. You need to gently push down in one motion.
- Precision:
Both knives allow to make the perfect and thin slices which bring the dish to life.
b. Usuba vs Nakiri Differences
Japanese knives are known for their sharpness, durability, and elegance. The two most popular Japanese knife types are the Nakiri and Usuba – both of which have different features that will suit your needs depending on what you plan to use them for.
In this blog post, we’re going to go over the differences between nakiri vs usuba knife so that you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.
Summary comparison chart
| Usuba | Nakiri | |
| Use | Decorative or nine cutting | All around vegetable knife |
| Weight | Heavier | Lighter |
| Left or right-handed | Right or left-handed | One can be used for both |
| Blade | Single bevel, thin and sturdy | Double bevel and very delicate |
| Price | High range | Mid-high range |
| Handle | Japanese | Western |
- All around knives
These knives can do almost anything, but a Nakiri or Usuba is specialized to cut vegetables.The Japanese use both knife and cutting techniques in their cuisine. When you visit Japan, you will see professional cooks using this type of knife daily!
- Cutting Edge
The most notable difference between the Nakiri and Usuba is that the cutting edge of a Nakiri knife runs from left to right, while the cutting edge of an Usuba knife runs from back to front. This slight difference in sharpening style makes it possible for each blade to be used for different functions.
- Premium blade for delicate decorative work.
The Usuba knife is used for tasks such as peeling and slicing vegetables into small, thin pieces. This knife is also sharpened extremely thinly with a steep angle, making it an ideal tool for shaving vegetable paper-thin. When you want to create beautiful, curly slices of vegetable garnishes on your dish, this is the best knife for the job!
A Nakiri knife is what you need when you want to slice vegetables into larger, more solid pieces that will hold up better on the plate without breaking or falling apart. When cutting up carrots and potatoes, y about it being too thin or delicate. The thicker blade on the Nakiri knife is better suited for this type of task. You can use a Nakiri knife with one hand, but only if you have mastered an intricate two-hand grip (one hand holding the vegetable and the other maneuvering the blade).
- Blade sharpening angle
If you hate sharpening knives, go for the Nakiri. It is much easier to sharpen and will save your wallet a bit because it costs less than an Usuba knife. However, if you have experience in knowing how to use these types of knives or want something more advanced than other kinds available on the market today, then stick with Usuba, as this one has many benefits that can be enjoyed by those who seek them out.
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- Weight of the knife
Usuba will satisfy someone who likes the feel of solid and heaviness. However, Usuba will find it hard to do specific tasks as Nakiri can. The Nakiris are generally lighter in weight, and if you’d instead use something more lightweight, this option would be best for you.
4. Pros and Cons of Usuba Knife vs Nakiri. Which Is Better?
Nakiri knives
Pros
- It is designed for easy sharpening
- Perfect choices for beginners
- Being lightweight knives
- For ambidextrous usage
Cons
- Hard to maintain
Usuba knives
Pros
- Being an excellent single bevel knife
- Having the precious and sharp edge
- Featuring long blade
- Pro-grade knife
Cons
- It is a highly costed knife
Which is better?
It depends on your level of cooking skills and preference. Both the Nakiri and Usuba are great knives with excellent functions, there are only a few minor drawbacks but the advantages can weigh perfectly.
Which Usuba Knife vs Nakiri Should You buy?
If you consider yourself more of a knife-handling expert, an Usuba would be the perfect addition to your kitchen. Because its super fine edge and superior cutting performance yield delicate results (perfect for those in the culinary industry!), it’s best suited to someone who considers themselves skilled with knives.
For those who want to improve their kitchen game, the Nakiri knife is worth looking into. It’s also beneficial for professionals or experts since it suits your dominant hand more than others and gives you an edge over other knives on the market that are made just as well but not explicitly designed with chefs in mind.
The best things about this Nariki knife include its versatility and durability. It also has a wide surface giving knuckles room to guide the blade, making it useful in almost any situation at home or work.
This is an interesting summary of what you can get from having such knives around your house with their many benefits, including long-lasting sharp blades that are flexible for use across various tasks while remaining safe enough not to cause injury.
Where to buy Usuba Knife vs Nakiri Online or Offline?
Are you looking for quality kitchen knives that will last you a long time? If so, then it might be worth your while to consider buying them online. The internet has allowed buyers to find the best deals on products like cutlery and save money in the process.
However, it’s also essential to know when shopping online which websites are trustworthy and which ones aren’t. Amazon is one of the excellent suggestions, but carefully read reviews from other customers before purchasing.
FAQs about usuba vs nakiri
Is a Nakiri single bevel?
No, Nakiri is a double bevel knife that is ground and sharpened like most knives in North America. Hence, it is easier to sharpen than the single Usuba knife.
Can I cut meat with Nariki?
Thanks to its flat blade, you can cut through to the cutting board, and it has a thinner straight blade edge. Hence, it might not be used for tough cuts such as meat or thick vegetables.
What is an Usuba knife used for?
Usuba features a thin blade. It is required for cutting through the firm veggies without cracking them. Also, the straight edge is used for specialized cuts like shaving vegetable cylinders into thin sheets.
Conclusion
Now that you know the difference between usuba knife vs nakiri, it’s time to start looking at what knife is best for your needs. With so many options in store-bought and online retailers, we’re here to help narrow down which one will be right for your kitchen.
So, which is the better nakiri vs usuba knife? Well, that answer depends on your purpose. For example, if you’re looking for a knife to cut sushi rolls, then you might want an Usuba, while if you need a more versatile cutting blade or something with more heft and weight behind it for thicker cuts of meat, vegetables, and fruits, then go with the Nakiri Knife. Either way, we recommend picking up both types so that they can fill different needs in your kitchen!
You might consider buying both types of knives because they are different tools suited for different purposes. If this sounds like a lot of work, our team can do all the research and find the perfect knife set with just a couple of clicks on any device or laptop!
The Top 9 Best Nakiri Knife Reviews in 2023
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