Damascus Nakiri Knives: Japanese vegetable [Kitchen] Knives
The Damascus Nakiri knife is a traditional Japanese vegetable knife. Vegetable knives in Japan are known as Damascus Nakiri (bilateral sharpening) or Usuba (one-sided sharpening). A Damascus Nakiri is recognizable by its rectangular shape. The tip of the knife is slightly rounded to cut vegetables quickly. This knife can cut carrots, cucumbers, cabbage and other vegetables finely and effortlessly. Chopping herbs is also a breeze. The Damascus Nakiri knives really have the coast and it’s not surprising. In an era where healthy living is very important, much more vegetables are cut than usual.
The blade of a Damascus Nakiri
A Damascus Nakiri knife is characterized by a very straight blade to make the most of the cutting edge. It is ultra-thin and sharp as a razor. What to cut very finely and with great precision and chop, for example, an onion much more finely than with a regular knife. Damascus Nakiris usually have a two-sided sharpening which allows use by both left-handed and right-handed people. There are however exceptions so be sure to pay attention to buy the right knife.
How to use a Damascus Nakiri knife?
Do not confuse the Damascus Nakiri with a cleaver. The choppers have a much thicker blade and are better suited for chopping vegetables, herbs and even bones. The blade of a Damascus Nakiri has thinner steel that can be easily damaged by misuse.
Unlike santoku , Damascus Nakiris knives do not cut with pendulum movement. The Damascus1.com not rock but moves diagonally in food from top to bottom (see video below). When cutting, the knife is constantly horizontal and the tip never comes into contact with the cutting board.
Put a Damascus Nakiri in a safe place
When storing a Damascus Nakiri in a kitchen drawer, it is likely to come into contact with other steel objects. Which will do no good to his cutting edge. It is also not very safe when you put your hand in your drawer. We recommend the use of a knife guard, drawer storage or even better, a magnetic bar knife holder or a knife block .