The Dao Vua Leaf Spring Tall Nakiri 180mm is a fun and highly functional vegetable knife with extra height for added versatility. The tall blade gives you excellent knuckle clearance and makes it easy to scoop and transfer ingredients from board to pan. It has a very flat edge profile, which is ideal for push cutting, chopping, and straight up and down work on vegetables and herbs. The added blade height also makes it a great choice for cooks who prefer a larger, more substantial feel.
This knife is forged from recycled leaf spring carbon steel (typically 5160), a tough and durable steel that takes a very sharp edge with minimal effort. The grind is thin and slightly convex, helping it move cleanly through dense vegetables while reducing sticking. Dao Vua knives have a rustic, handmade character, and small imperfections in fit and finish are normal and part of their appeal. Avoid bones and frozen foods, but for everyday vegetable prep this knife is a strong performer.
What Customers Are Saying: Customers appreciate the tall blade and flat profile, noting how effective it is for vegetable prep and chopping tasks. Many mention how quickly the edge sharpens and how well it holds that edge during regular use. The lightweight feel and balance are also commonly praised, along with the excellent performance for the price.
Care Instructions: This knife is made from reactive carbon steel and will develop a patina with use. Wash and dry the blade after each use and do not leave it wet. Avoid acidic foods sitting on the edge for long periods. Do not put in the dishwasher. Regular honing and occasional sharpening will keep it performing at its best.
Maker: Dao Vua Blacksmith: The Nhat Family Location: Vietnam Construction: Mono Steel Edge Steel: Leaf Spring Carbon Steel (5160) HRC: 60-61 Cladding: None Finish: Kurouchi Edge Grind: Even 50/50 Handle: Octagonal Wood Weight: 6.3 oz (179 g) Blade Length: 180 mm Total Length: 320 mm Spine Thickness at Base: 2.6 mm Blade Height: 58 mm
This knife is forged from recycled leaf spring carbon steel (typically 5160), a tough and durable steel that takes a very sharp edge with minimal effort. The grind is thin and slightly convex, helping it move cleanly through dense vegetables while reducing sticking. Dao Vua knives have a rustic, handmade character, and small imperfections in fit and finish are normal and part of their appeal. Avoid bones and frozen foods, but for everyday vegetable prep this knife is a strong performer.
What Customers Are Saying: Customers appreciate the tall blade and flat profile, noting how effective it is for vegetable prep and chopping tasks. Many mention how quickly the edge sharpens and how well it holds that edge during regular use. The lightweight feel and balance are also commonly praised, along with the excellent performance for the price.
Care Instructions: This knife is made from reactive carbon steel and will develop a patina with use. Wash and dry the blade after each use and do not leave it wet. Avoid acidic foods sitting on the edge for long periods. Do not put in the dishwasher. Regular honing and occasional sharpening will keep it performing at its best.
Reviews
10 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Great project knifePosted By: Jeronimo Macias
39 people found this review helpful
I purchased this slicer expecting it not to be perfect. I received it fast, thanks CKTG. The knife is straight and true but definitely needs to be taken to your stones immediately, which is fine by me. The only thing I would change is the sword tip as in my opinion it should also have a bevel and sharpened, which I intend to put on. The finish is very nice for the price point and the handle, while simple, does the job very well. For the price you can’t go wrong. Can’t wait to get it sharpened and ready for the brisket.
39 people found this review helpful
I purchased this slicer expecting it not to be perfect. I received it fast, thanks CKTG. The knife is straight and true but definitely needs to be taken to your stones immediately, which is fine by me. The only thing I would change is the sword tip as in my opinion it should also have a bevel and sharpened, which I intend to put on. The finish is very nice for the price point and the handle, while simple, does the job very well. For the price you can’t go wrong. Can’t wait to get it sharpened and ready for the brisket.
Sweet SlicerPosted By: Joe Johnson - verified customer
7 people found this review helpful
Is this knife perfect in every way. Nope, Not even close. As the description says, they are imperfect knives, but they are striving to be even better with a bit of elbow grease. And at the price, you would be hard pressed to find a knife that has this sort of potential. Put it to some stones and you will have a worthy slicer perfectly suited to cubing brisket point for burnt ends, and even for slicing up dry cured slab bacon for breakfast.
And hey, it'll be delivered to you in short order, as is customary for CKTG.
7 people found this review helpful
Is this knife perfect in every way. Nope, Not even close. As the description says, they are imperfect knives, but they are striving to be even better with a bit of elbow grease. And at the price, you would be hard pressed to find a knife that has this sort of potential. Put it to some stones and you will have a worthy slicer perfectly suited to cubing brisket point for burnt ends, and even for slicing up dry cured slab bacon for breakfast.
And hey, it'll be delivered to you in short order, as is customary for CKTG.
Excellent for the moneyPosted By: Doctor No - verified customer
8 people found this review helpful
A cool knife, beautiful in its own way. Slices beautifully. Yes rustic, but everyone who sees it thinks it's gorgeous. This one takes a nice edge. If you ground it down you could easily make it single bevel. I'm lefty, so keeping it as it is.
This is still a specialty blade so gets only judicious use. The Daovua Tall Nakiri has become my everyday knife and replaced my 10 Henckels checks knife.
These are fun knives. Extremely happy with the purchase.
8 people found this review helpful
A cool knife, beautiful in its own way. Slices beautifully. Yes rustic, but everyone who sees it thinks it's gorgeous. This one takes a nice edge. If you ground it down you could easily make it single bevel. I'm lefty, so keeping it as it is.
This is still a specialty blade so gets only judicious use. The Daovua Tall Nakiri has become my everyday knife and replaced my 10 Henckels checks knife.
These are fun knives. Extremely happy with the purchase.
DaoVua knives whip Posted By: Jonathan Barr
7 people found this review helpful
Bought this knife as a meat slicer and cannot believe the quality for $75. My first impression was this might not be able to handle sashimi, but if you took this knife all the way up to a 20/30k grit stone I bet you do just about anything. My preference for slicer knives is for single bevels, but I was able to convert this one pretty easily and put a nice polish on it. DaoVua are pretty much the perfect knives for working cooks: sharp, affordable, easy to sharpen, hard to damage. I would recommend them to anyone, especially before the price goes up.
7 people found this review helpful
Bought this knife as a meat slicer and cannot believe the quality for $75. My first impression was this might not be able to handle sashimi, but if you took this knife all the way up to a 20/30k grit stone I bet you do just about anything. My preference for slicer knives is for single bevels, but I was able to convert this one pretty easily and put a nice polish on it. DaoVua are pretty much the perfect knives for working cooks: sharp, affordable, easy to sharpen, hard to damage. I would recommend them to anyone, especially before the price goes up.
Daovua Leaf Spring Slicer 275mmPosted By: Brandon Mack - verified customer
11 people found this review helpful
Absolutely love this knife. Great craftsmanship, reasonable pricing and fine work. I purchased blade out of aesthetic purposes and not being able to find a sakimura blade that doesn't cost a thousand. Highly recommend!
11 people found this review helpful
Absolutely love this knife. Great craftsmanship, reasonable pricing and fine work. I purchased blade out of aesthetic purposes and not being able to find a sakimura blade that doesn't cost a thousand. Highly recommend!
Excellent slicerPosted By: Tom
5 people found this review helpful
I love this thing! I was looking for a nice Suji when I stumbled across this. I think we all love hand made custom pieces here and that's just what this feels like. The handle is the nicest of any of my knives and the blade is great. It was pretty dull out of the box but about 5 mins on the king and she's up to par. The kurouchi on it looks good, I usually sand it off but I think I'll leave this one. I love that the blade has pits in it. Overall it has a great rustic/sophisticated look(if that's a thing) and you can't beat that price. It's definitely not a laser beam but at this length I wouldn't want it to be. It's going to be great for all of my smoked meats!
5 people found this review helpful
I love this thing! I was looking for a nice Suji when I stumbled across this. I think we all love hand made custom pieces here and that's just what this feels like. The handle is the nicest of any of my knives and the blade is great. It was pretty dull out of the box but about 5 mins on the king and she's up to par. The kurouchi on it looks good, I usually sand it off but I think I'll leave this one. I love that the blade has pits in it. Overall it has a great rustic/sophisticated look(if that's a thing) and you can't beat that price. It's definitely not a laser beam but at this length I wouldn't want it to be. It's going to be great for all of my smoked meats!
SlicerPosted By: Drew
8 people found this review helpful
for starters, i have well over 30 knives and have been a fine dining chef for 9 years so i'd like to say my opinion is credible.
1) price is amazing. Slicers in general are not cheap and this comes with a cozy and fashionable handle. The blade itself is a little rustic, but the actual edge is decently sharp
2) i recommend sharpening this on a 1000 grit stone and finishing on a leather strop with some diamond paste/spray
3) overall gave it a 4 instead if a 5 because i didn't thing it retained an edge for very long. My opinion may be harsh becAuse im used to working with zdp/ hap 40 steel knives so if you're not using steels with hardness over 64 im sure it won't be as apparent.
8 people found this review helpful
for starters, i have well over 30 knives and have been a fine dining chef for 9 years so i'd like to say my opinion is credible.
1) price is amazing. Slicers in general are not cheap and this comes with a cozy and fashionable handle. The blade itself is a little rustic, but the actual edge is decently sharp
2) i recommend sharpening this on a 1000 grit stone and finishing on a leather strop with some diamond paste/spray
3) overall gave it a 4 instead if a 5 because i didn't thing it retained an edge for very long. My opinion may be harsh becAuse im used to working with zdp/ hap 40 steel knives so if you're not using steels with hardness over 64 im sure it won't be as apparent.
Great Price For Good KnifePosted By: Brett C - verified customer
7 people found this review helpful
If your looking for a non traditional slicer that will need a little love from the wet stone I couldn't recommend any other. I got this beauty and immediately showed the line at work, now 3 out 7 line cooks have got their own and soon my sous chef will have his own. The knife is great, might need a little work but for this price its well worth it.
7 people found this review helpful
If your looking for a non traditional slicer that will need a little love from the wet stone I couldn't recommend any other. I got this beauty and immediately showed the line at work, now 3 out 7 line cooks have got their own and soon my sous chef will have his own. The knife is great, might need a little work but for this price its well worth it.
Good for the price Posted By: John - verified customer
7 people found this review helpful
I bought it with no expectations as it was only $75. You get what you pay for with this. Fit and finish are better then expected. I personally like the raw finish of the knife. Handle is comfortable, blade design Is great. This knife is great as you won't be chopping with it. Blade is straight as an arrow and razor sharp. I would recommend for the price.
7 people found this review helpful
I bought it with no expectations as it was only $75. You get what you pay for with this. Fit and finish are better then expected. I personally like the raw finish of the knife. Handle is comfortable, blade design Is great. This knife is great as you won't be chopping with it. Blade is straight as an arrow and razor sharp. I would recommend for the price.
Exactly what I was looking for!
