Kyocera Ceramic Knives

A 4.5-inch utility knife covers the in-between jobs where a paring knife runs short and a santoku feels oversized. Kyocera suggests this one for slicing sandwiches and smaller fruits and vegetables, and it is just as handy for sectioning an orange or cutting a block of tofu into cubes.The Innovation Black blade is solid ceramic. Citrus and tomato acids have nothing to react with, and the blade cannot rust if it is left wet in the rack. Kyocera’s testing puts the edge life of its Innovation blades at double that of its earlier ceramic knives. The trade-off with any ceramic edge is brittleness. Keep the tip out of bones and frozen food, and do not use it to pry.Customers ask us whether we are an authorized Kyocera dealer. We are, and it matters here, because Kyocera’s warranty only covers knives bought from authorized resellers. Knives from unauthorized sellers are excluded.
Where the 4.5-Inch Size FitsFor peeling and other in-hand work, the 3-inch Innovation Black Paring Knife is easier to steer. For thin slices of cooked meat, step up to the 5-inch Slicing Knife. This utility knife also comes in the Innovation Black 2-Piece Set and the 4-Piece Set, and the Innovation White 4.5-inch Utility Knife offers the same length with a white blade. Learn More

Cooked chicken breast, roast pork loin and smoked salmon slice most cleanly when the blade is long and narrow enough to finish each cut in a single draw. Kyocera designed this 5-inch Innovation Black knife for thin slices of boneless meat, and the extra length over a utility knife also lets it cross a wide melon or a bell pepper in one pass.Because the blade is ceramic, it leaves no metallic taste on fish or fruit and never needs drying to prevent rust. Kyocera reports that its Innovation ceramic keeps its edge for double the time of the company’s earlier blades. Ceramic does not flex, so use a steel knife for carving around bones or anything frozen.Knife Merchant is an authorized Kyocera dealer, a point customers ask us to confirm before ordering. Kyocera extends its limited warranty only to purchases from authorized resellers.
Comparing the 5-Inch SlicerThe 4.5-inch Innovation Black Utility Knife is half an inch shorter and easier to use in the hand. The Innovation White 5-inch Tomato Knife has a micro-serrated edge that bites into tomato skin and crusty rolls, where this plain edge is better for meat. You will also find this slicer in the Innovation Black 4-Piece Ceramic Knife Set. Learn More

At 5.5 inches, this is the smaller of the two Innovation Black santoku knives we carry, sized for preparing a few vegetables at a time with close control. The flat edge suits push cuts, so slicing scallions, dicing an onion and mincing parsley all happen with a straight down-and-forward stroke.Kyocera’s figures show this ceramic holding its sharpness twice as long as the company’s older Z206 material. The blade will not brown a cut apple or pick up a metallic taste from vinegar, and it cannot rust. Ceramic is also brittle, which is why Kyocera recommends steel for boning and frozen food.Customers ask us how to sharpen a ceramic santoku. A honing rod will not restore this edge, and Kyocera specifies diamond for the job. The Kyocera Diamond Wheel Sharpener is the home option. For a worn edge or a chipped tip, Kyocera sends owners to EVERSHARP, its authorized service provider (details on Kyocera’s sharpening service page).
5.5-Inch or 6-Inch Santoku?The Innovation Black 6-inch Chef’s Santoku gives a little more length for larger vegetables and a full cutting board. The same knife comes in the 4-Piece Set. With a white blade, it is the Innovation White 5.5-inch Santoku. Learn More

Kyocera calls this shape a chef’s santoku. It has the flat edge of a santoku and a 6-inch blade, enough length for chopping a head of broccoli or slicing a cucumber end to end on a full-size board.Kyocera lists chopping, slicing, dicing and mincing among its jobs, and the ceramic blade earns its keep on fruit and vegetables. It cannot rust and does not react with acidic ingredients. In Kyocera’s paper-cutting tests, Innovation blades lasted twice as long before dulling as the brand’s traditional ceramic. Since ceramic chips under twisting or impact, keep a steel knife nearby for bones, frozen food and hard cheese.Knife Merchant sells Kyocera as an authorized dealer, which customers ask about before buying. The answer affects coverage, since Kyocera’s limited warranty excludes knives sold by unauthorized dealers.
Chef’s Santoku or Chef’s Knife?The Innovation Black 7-inch Chef’s Knife adds an inch and a pointed tip. For a smaller hand or a short prep list, the 5.5-inch Innovation Black Santoku is easier to manage. It is also the larger of the two knives in the Innovation Black 2-Piece Ceramic Knife Set. Learn More