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Usuba / Nakiri
Usu(Thin)Ba(Knife)
Usuba is a traditional Japanese knife shape with a thick spine and pronounced shinogi line. Characterized by their rectangular shape and utter lack of camber Usuba knives are best used when preparing vegetables. The shape of the Usuba blade and the angle at which the handle is affixed to it allow for a significant degree of knuckle clearance which can be quite helpful when working with larger quantities. It is important to note that Usubas are typically one sided although this definition is not universally applicable and some manufacturers do create double-beveled knives that would indeed qualify as Usubas. The westernized version of an Usuba, which is typically double-beveled and also intended for use on vegetables, is known as a Nakiri. Although many believe the distinction between Usubas and Nakiris to be their one or two sidedness this is not wholly accurate. The key distinction between the two shapes is the thickness of the steel from which they are formed. Despite being named “thin knife” Usubas are thicker than their westernized counterpart the Nakiri.
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Masahiro Shiro-Ko 7-inch (180mm) Usuba
Masahiro Shiro-Ko 180mm Usuba The Masahiro Shiro-Ko 180mm Usuba is a traditional Japanese vegetable knife sized for professional prep and larger produce. The extra length handles whole cabbages, daikon and long cucumbers in full strokes, and the tall, thin blade separates each push cut cleanly from the next. Features White #2 carbon steel: Shiro-ko (White Paper #2) is a high-purity carbon steel that takes an exceptionally keen edge and sharpens quickly on waterstones. It is not stainless. Single-bevel urasuki grind: The bevel on the face and the slightly concave back reduce friction in dense vegetables and allow paper-thin slicing and katsuramuki, the rotary peeling of daikon into long, continuous sheets. Straight edge profile: The flat edge makes full contact with the board for clean push cuts, julienne and brunoise. Lightweight wa-handle: The paulownia wood handle is exceptionally light, which keeps the balance in the blade for fine, controlled work. Choosing an Usuba The Masahiro Shiro-Ko 165mm Usuba is easier to handle on smaller boards. For a Yellow Paper carbon steel alternative at this length, see the Masahiro Traditional Carbon 180mm Usuba. Learn More$250.00 -
Made In 6.6-inch Japanese Damascus Steel Nakiri
The Made In Japanese Damascus Steel Nakiri is built for vegetables. Its tall, rectangular blade and perfectly flat edge meet the cutting board along their full length, so each straight downward cut goes cleanly through an onion, a carrot, or a stack of greens without leaving connected pieces. Made In has it forged in Seki, Japan, with a VG-10 core inside 66 layers of Damascus steel.
Why It PerformsFully flat edge: Made for push cuts and straight chopping. Every cut reaches the board, so slices separate cleanly.Tall blade: The 1 7/8-inch height gives your knuckles clearance and doubles as a scoop for moving chopped vegetables to the pan.Double bevel at 15 degrees: Sharpened on both sides, so it cuts straight for both right- and left-handed cooks.VG-10 core and Damascus cladding: A hard stainless core for a long-lasting edge, protected by layered steel.Full tang, polymer handle: Balanced, with a hand-finished handle that resists slipping and staining.
What It Does BestDicing onions, carrots, and celeryShredding cabbage and slicing leafy greensThin slices of potatoes and root vegetablesFine brunoise and julienne cuts
Choosing the Right Made In KnifeThe nakiri is not designed for meat, bones, or a rocking cut. Pair it with the Made In 8-inch Japanese Damascus Steel Gyuto for proteins, or buy both in the Made In 2-Piece Japanese Damascus Steel Knife Set. For a single all-purpose blade of the same length, see the Made In 6.6-inch Japanese Damascus Steel Santoku. Learn More$199.00 -
Zwilling Four Star 6.5-inch Nakiri Knife
The Zwilling Four Star 6.5-inch (170mm) Nakiri is a specialized instrument that integrates Western durability with traditional Japanese vegetable-prep geometry. Unlike the curved profile of a Western chef’s knife, the Nakiri features a signature flat edge and squared-off tip, specifically engineered for the vertical push-cuts required for high-volume vegetable processing. Each blade is forged from a single piece of proprietary high-carbon stainless steel using the SIGMAFORGE® process, ensuring a stable, well-balanced tool with a robust bolster. The blade undergoes FRIODUR® ice-hardening to 57 Rockwell (HRC), a process that optimizes the molecular structure to achieve superior corrosion resistance and an edge that remains sharp through exhaustive prep sessions while remaining responsive to honing. The seamless, molded handle—the hallmark of the Four Star series—is designed without gaps or rivets, providing a clinical level of hygiene and a slip-resistant, ergonomic grip that accommodates a professional pinch grip for surgical accuracy in julienne, brunoise, and katsuramuki-style cutting. Learn MoreRegular Price: $139.99
Special Price $99.95
