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As the saying goes, great oaks from little acorns grow. While not quite a great oak, the Daovua knife company has grown—from a fledgling enterprise in Vietnam making knife and tool blades out of old car parts, to a thriving business that has spread into making some really great kitchen utensils at super attractive prices.
Their blades are fashioned from recycled leaf springs taken from old cars and trucks. This is not as bizarre as it sounds as many top-flight blacksmiths dip into this widely available source to make their highly prized blades. But unlike these fancy and often expensive works of art, the Nhat family makes more down-to-earth creations that are more function than form.
This knife is a classic nakiri in shape and profile but with a much taller stance. It is almost a cross between a cleaver and nakiri except that it is very thin and made to cut vegetables of all kinds with ease. One outstanding attribute of these blades is how they take an incredibly sharp edge.
So for someone seeking a unique version of a nakiri, the Daovua Tall Nakiri is a perfect and high-value choice. Please remember these are made under fairly rough conditions with recycled steel, so you should expect that they will have imperfections that you will not see in our other knives. But this should not dissuade anyone looking for a low-priced kitchen knife that is exceedingly sharp and rather unique.Maker: Daovua
Steel: Leaf Spring Carbon Steel
Handle: Bubinga
Edge Grind: Even, Double Bevel
Weight: 7.3 oz/ 206g
Blade Length: 177mm
Overal Length: 324mm
Spine Thickness at Heel: 2.0mm
Blade Height at Heel: 74.8mm
Their blades are fashioned from recycled leaf springs taken from old cars and trucks. This is not as bizarre as it sounds as many top-flight blacksmiths dip into this widely available source to make their highly prized blades. But unlike these fancy and often expensive works of art, the Nhat family makes more down-to-earth creations that are more function than form.
This knife is a classic nakiri in shape and profile but with a much taller stance. It is almost a cross between a cleaver and nakiri except that it is very thin and made to cut vegetables of all kinds with ease. One outstanding attribute of these blades is how they take an incredibly sharp edge.
So for someone seeking a unique version of a nakiri, the Daovua Tall Nakiri is a perfect and high-value choice. Please remember these are made under fairly rough conditions with recycled steel, so you should expect that they will have imperfections that you will not see in our other knives. But this should not dissuade anyone looking for a low-priced kitchen knife that is exceedingly sharp and rather unique.
Reviews
29 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Awesome 
Blade CrackedPosted By: Oskar
2 people found this review helpful
Bought this about a month ago now. used it a few times at work, my first carbon steel blade and I knew that it needed care and I gave it care. I was done using for a few hours it so I dried it off and put it back in its guard and about 20 minutes later I hear a snapping sound, think nothing of it and the next day find a sizeable crack on the blade towards the spine. Probably a fluke? I don't know enough to say. I liked it a lot when I used it, the handle is really really nice!
2 people found this review helpful
Bought this about a month ago now. used it a few times at work, my first carbon steel blade and I knew that it needed care and I gave it care. I was done using for a few hours it so I dried it off and put it back in its guard and about 20 minutes later I hear a snapping sound, think nothing of it and the next day find a sizeable crack on the blade towards the spine. Probably a fluke? I don't know enough to say. I liked it a lot when I used it, the handle is really really nice!
I love this knifePosted By: Andrew Norris
I received this knife yesterday. I added the sharpening service. Wicked sharp. I took it to work today. I am a chef. I put it to the test. This knife passed with flying colors. I also love the roughness of the knife. Knowing the story makes it that much better. By the way, this is my first Asian knife. A lot more to come. Be ready CKTG!!!!!!!
I received this knife yesterday. I added the sharpening service. Wicked sharp. I took it to work today. I am a chef. I put it to the test. This knife passed with flying colors. I also love the roughness of the knife. Knowing the story makes it that much better. By the way, this is my first Asian knife. A lot more to come. Be ready CKTG!!!!!!!
Amazing Pleasantly suprisedPosted By: Alan Mcdaniels
This is my first Nakiri Knife that I have purchased for myself. And I am so glad I got this TALL Nakiri. The height, the weight, the shape, oh, and the price! Is wonderful. I've put at minimum of 25 hours of vegetable prep on this knife in a professional kitchen. Once, I feel it getting a little sluggish going against pepper skin I put it to the hone and it's ready to rock and roll again. I did get the CKTG sharpening as I've never sharpened a Nakiri. It was decent.
This is my first Nakiri Knife that I have purchased for myself. And I am so glad I got this TALL Nakiri. The height, the weight, the shape, oh, and the price! Is wonderful. I've put at minimum of 25 hours of vegetable prep on this knife in a professional kitchen. Once, I feel it getting a little sluggish going against pepper skin I put it to the hone and it's ready to rock and roll again. I did get the CKTG sharpening as I've never sharpened a Nakiri. It was decent.
Phenomenal tall Nakiri for the pricePosted By: Brian
1 people found this review helpful
Let me start by saying this knife, with its rustic look and confidence inspiring profile, is a must consider if you're looking at it now. The price point is absurd for the quality!
The handle on mine is more ovular vertically as opposed to round, which I really like. The height feels great, I can chop up chicken thighs or cilantro with equal "feel good" response from the knife. The choil fits my hand perfectly (typically my middle finger is in the choil with the meat of my hand between the thumb and index wrapped over the spine.) To be clear, this is NOT the sharpest out of the box. But you don't get a $60 knife like this for OOTB sharpness (still sharp though.)
That being said, it sharpens VERY easily. A few minutes on 1000+ grit stone, and more importantly a few minutes on a nice strop, and this knife will shave hair. My only complaint is that (of course) the metal is very reactive, so be prepared to be on top of that. I love to keep a small microfiber towel on hand for constantly wiping it down. Other than that, this beauty is a smokin' hot deal, with top notch aesthetics for my preference.
It's now my go to knife for anytime Ima cookin'!
1 people found this review helpful
Let me start by saying this knife, with its rustic look and confidence inspiring profile, is a must consider if you're looking at it now. The price point is absurd for the quality!
The handle on mine is more ovular vertically as opposed to round, which I really like. The height feels great, I can chop up chicken thighs or cilantro with equal "feel good" response from the knife. The choil fits my hand perfectly (typically my middle finger is in the choil with the meat of my hand between the thumb and index wrapped over the spine.) To be clear, this is NOT the sharpest out of the box. But you don't get a $60 knife like this for OOTB sharpness (still sharp though.)
That being said, it sharpens VERY easily. A few minutes on 1000+ grit stone, and more importantly a few minutes on a nice strop, and this knife will shave hair. My only complaint is that (of course) the metal is very reactive, so be prepared to be on top of that. I love to keep a small microfiber towel on hand for constantly wiping it down. Other than that, this beauty is a smokin' hot deal, with top notch aesthetics for my preference.
It's now my go to knife for anytime Ima cookin'!
Nice knife! Awesome!Posted By: FZ - verified customer
Good height on this blade and pretty thin. I got mine with an amazing handle, wow! Sharpness was ok out of the box, I prefer new knives that way as I sharpen them to my preferred sharpness. Overall great knife at a good price point.
Good height on this blade and pretty thin. I got mine with an amazing handle, wow! Sharpness was ok out of the box, I prefer new knives that way as I sharpen them to my preferred sharpness. Overall great knife at a good price point.
Lots of character Posted By: Gary Starr
Rustic and raw, in a great way. I like the character of the knive. Either get the sharpening service or be prepared to give these knives a little love once they arrive as the are raw. This is a favorite and if you're ready to keep it sharp, well worth it.
Rustic and raw, in a great way. I like the character of the knive. Either get the sharpening service or be prepared to give these knives a little love once they arrive as the are raw. This is a favorite and if you're ready to keep it sharp, well worth it.
Fantastic knife Very pleased with this purchase A tool through and throughPosted By: Cookn' Dave - verified customer
Really glad that I found this line of knives. Love these things.
Not too much smaller than an average vegetable cleaver with a slight curve to the belly, it is exactly what I needed to break down birds.
Rustic look, light as a feather and no shame or worry with damaging the blade. 3 minutes on the stones and as good as new.
Really glad that I found this line of knives. Love these things.
Not too much smaller than an average vegetable cleaver with a slight curve to the belly, it is exactly what I needed to break down birds.
Rustic look, light as a feather and no shame or worry with damaging the blade. 3 minutes on the stones and as good as new.
It's great! Daovua tall nakiri Money well spentPosted By: Jacob Lindsey
Ordered CKTG sharpening service which left this blade screaming sharp. Aesthetics have been addressed by other reviews. In regards to performance, this is a fairly specialized shape, excellent for bunches of greens as well as harder large vegetables. This thing can take apart a butternut squash better than one of my $500 knives which has now been relegated to other tasks.
Ordered CKTG sharpening service which left this blade screaming sharp. Aesthetics have been addressed by other reviews. In regards to performance, this is a fairly specialized shape, excellent for bunches of greens as well as harder large vegetables. This thing can take apart a butternut squash better than one of my $500 knives which has now been relegated to other tasks.
daovua leaf spring tall nakiri Daovua Tall Nakiri 175 Probably 5160 steel—definitely my new favoritePosted By: Jason Krantz
Nearly all leaf springs the world over are made from 5160 steel—leaf springs are a high-quality, consistent source of knife blanks. There's no need to worry that you might get an "off" knife made from an inferior steel.
And Daovua is clearly getting the heat-treatment right; this knife is the easiest to sharpen of any knife on my rack—and those are mostly 52100 and AEB-L.
I was initially looking to get a re-handled small CCK, but this is the knife I wanted all along—I just didn't know it. You know how travelers tend to have the best meal of their trip at street-food stalls? This knife is charming for many of the same reasons: it's not fancy and it's not expensive—it just really delivers on what you're hoping to find.
Nearly all leaf springs the world over are made from 5160 steel—leaf springs are a high-quality, consistent source of knife blanks. There's no need to worry that you might get an "off" knife made from an inferior steel.
And Daovua is clearly getting the heat-treatment right; this knife is the easiest to sharpen of any knife on my rack—and those are mostly 52100 and AEB-L.
I was initially looking to get a re-handled small CCK, but this is the knife I wanted all along—I just didn't know it. You know how travelers tend to have the best meal of their trip at street-food stalls? This knife is charming for many of the same reasons: it's not fancy and it's not expensive—it just really delivers on what you're hoping to find.
Great character, story and performance Lovely Great
Daovua Leaf Spring Tall Nakiri 175mmPosted By: Dave Job - verified customer
I'm using this as a home cook. I'm happy with it so far. Nice edge right out of the box, the balance feels good and the handle feels good. I've used it for slicing meat and chopping, slicing, and mincing veggies, transferring ingredients from board to pan, and it works very well for everything. It seems a bit lighter than what I thought it would be by looking at it, and certainly lighter at 218 grams than my Wusthof chinese cleaver (320 grams) which is of comparable size. I'm satisfied with the price I paid and the knife I received. Shipping was fast and the knife was packaged well.
I'm using this as a home cook. I'm happy with it so far. Nice edge right out of the box, the balance feels good and the handle feels good. I've used it for slicing meat and chopping, slicing, and mincing veggies, transferring ingredients from board to pan, and it works very well for everything. It seems a bit lighter than what I thought it would be by looking at it, and certainly lighter at 218 grams than my Wusthof chinese cleaver (320 grams) which is of comparable size. I'm satisfied with the price I paid and the knife I received. Shipping was fast and the knife was packaged well.
What a fine knife!Posted By: Bob
2 people found this review helpful
I wanted to try this knife after one of my sons showed me his. I've never had a tall Nakiri and liked what I saw in his, so ordered one. This knife feels very good in my pinch grip, but what I really like is the way the blade rides against my knuckles of my other hand. It makes an excellent control surface for slice control and it helps make uniform slices. The blade has a rounded nose and enough curve to have a good rocking action for mincing, plus the large blade makes a great spatula for moving food quickly from the cutting board to a bowl. The leaf spring steel gets razor sharp (yes mine needed sharpening right away, no big deal). Overall, I think its a great knife that combines utility with beauty.
2 people found this review helpful
I wanted to try this knife after one of my sons showed me his. I've never had a tall Nakiri and liked what I saw in his, so ordered one. This knife feels very good in my pinch grip, but what I really like is the way the blade rides against my knuckles of my other hand. It makes an excellent control surface for slice control and it helps make uniform slices. The blade has a rounded nose and enough curve to have a good rocking action for mincing, plus the large blade makes a great spatula for moving food quickly from the cutting board to a bowl. The leaf spring steel gets razor sharp (yes mine needed sharpening right away, no big deal). Overall, I think its a great knife that combines utility with beauty.
Very good Tall Nakiri Fantastic nakiri for large handsPosted By: StiffArm
If you have bear paws instead of human hands then this is the knife for you. But seriously this is a fantastic knife for the money. I've only used mine for a few weeks but I just love it. Yes the edge OOTB could be better but a few minutes on the stones and you're razor sharp. F&F is just fine when considering the price-point. There is something about this knife that just exudes soul. This is no beauty queen but she'll chop any veggie that gets in your way. Great knuckle clearance for big handed people, especially if you favor a pinch grip. I really like this knife and absolutely plan to buy more from Daovua--great value and I love the re-purposed leaf spring angle.
If you have bear paws instead of human hands then this is the knife for you. But seriously this is a fantastic knife for the money. I've only used mine for a few weeks but I just love it. Yes the edge OOTB could be better but a few minutes on the stones and you're razor sharp. F&F is just fine when considering the price-point. There is something about this knife that just exudes soul. This is no beauty queen but she'll chop any veggie that gets in your way. Great knuckle clearance for big handed people, especially if you favor a pinch grip. I really like this knife and absolutely plan to buy more from Daovua--great value and I love the re-purposed leaf spring angle.
I love this knifePosted By: Tom Dickinson
Just got my Daovua Tall Nakiri in the mail today and I think it's an exceptional knife. I'm gonna put my own edge on it but I noticed that the bevel on this blade is geared more towards lefty's and that's great because I'm left handed. I like the length, I like the flaws in the blade and the rustic charm. I like this knife better than my CCK Lil' Rhino. Going to buy the Kiritsuke next.
Just got my Daovua Tall Nakiri in the mail today and I think it's an exceptional knife. I'm gonna put my own edge on it but I noticed that the bevel on this blade is geared more towards lefty's and that's great because I'm left handed. I like the length, I like the flaws in the blade and the rustic charm. I like this knife better than my CCK Lil' Rhino. Going to buy the Kiritsuke next.
I love this thing!Posted By: Delboy
Others may disagree, but this is the perfect "Chinese cleaver" for me. EXCELLENT for any vegetable chopping, as spring steel as great impact resistance & toughness, coupled with an ability to take a very keen edge. After chopping up an entire (large)family size stir fry on the board. It was still sharp enough to slice paper thin pieces of roast pork to put on top. I was a bit apprehensive about the pronounced heal, but it actually helps with chopping. I would definitely recommend this knife, it performs well above it's price.
Others may disagree, but this is the perfect "Chinese cleaver" for me. EXCELLENT for any vegetable chopping, as spring steel as great impact resistance & toughness, coupled with an ability to take a very keen edge. After chopping up an entire (large)family size stir fry on the board. It was still sharp enough to slice paper thin pieces of roast pork to put on top. I was a bit apprehensive about the pronounced heal, but it actually helps with chopping. I would definitely recommend this knife, it performs well above it's price.
I like knives with good knuckle clearance Posted By: Tom Dickinson
I am a chef with big hands and I have to have to a knife that has good knuckle clearance and a tall Nakiri is perfect. I will definitely be purchasing this knife. Also, my Dad is a lifetime career mechanic and he even has told me that leaf springs are made from top quality metal and the fact that Daovua uses them in the fabrication of their knives is outstanding.
I am a chef with big hands and I have to have to a knife that has good knuckle clearance and a tall Nakiri is perfect. I will definitely be purchasing this knife. Also, my Dad is a lifetime career mechanic and he even has told me that leaf springs are made from top quality metal and the fact that Daovua uses them in the fabrication of their knives is outstanding.
