Daovua Leaf Spring Tall Nakiri 175mm

The Daovua knife company is a Vietnamese operation making blades out of old car parts that has grown into a thriving small business producing genuinely excellent kitchen tools at exceptionally attractive prices. The Nhat family forges these from recycled leaf springs taken from old cars and trucks - not as strange a source as it sounds, since several top-tier blacksmiths dip into the same supply for their own prized work. Unlike those expensive custom pieces, the Nhat family creations are unapologetically function over form: hammer marks, scratches, pitting, and other forge-fire character are part of every blade.

This tall nakiri sits almost between a cleaver and a traditional nakiri in stance - thin enough to glide through vegetables of all kinds, tall enough to add real knuckle clearance and presence on the board. The steel takes an incredibly sharp edge, which is the headline feature across this entire line regardless of fit and finish variation. For a unique, high-value take on a familiar format, this tall nakiri delivers a genuinely distinctive tool.

What Customers Are Saying: A professional chef calls it wicked sharp straight out of the box after adding the CKTG sharpening service, noting it passed every kitchen test he put it through on day one and that knowing the story behind the blade only adds to the appeal. Another reviewer with 25-plus hours of professional vegetable prep on the knife praises the height, weight, and shape, noting that once it gets sluggish against tougher produce like pepper skin, a quick pass on the hone brings it right back. A third reviewer searching for an affordable Japanese-style knife calls it sharp, well-weighted, and genuinely capable of doing the job at a price that other options simply cannot match.

Care Instructions: Hand wash with mild soap and dry immediately after each use. Do not put it in the dishwasher. Carbon steel will naturally form a dark patina that helps protect against rust - this is normal and desirable. If red rust appears, remove it gently with a rust eraser or Bar Keepers Friend. For added protection, lightly oil the blade with food-grade mineral or camellia oil before storage. Store in a dry place, ideally in a sheath or on a magnetic strip.

Each knife is made by hand so all measurements are approximations.

• Maker: Daovua
• Blacksmith: The Nhat Family
• Location: Vietnam
• Edge Steel: Leaf Spring Carbon Steel
• Handle: Octagonal (color and wood type vary)
• Edge Grind: Even, Double Bevel
• Weight: 7.3 oz (206 g)
• Blade Length: 177 mm
• Total Length: 324 mm
• Spine Thickness at Heel: 2 mm
• Blade Height: 75mm