The nakiri is Japan's dedicated vegetable knife - a flat-edged blade that makes full contact with the cutting board on every stroke, no rocking, no heel gap. Push, land, lift. For cooks who spend serious time on vegetable prep, it is a more efficient and precise tool than any all-purpose knife, and the 160mm format keeps it compact and maneuverable without sacrificing meaningful cutting surface. The SLD Damascus version from Hatsukokoro brings Hitachi SLD semi-stainless steel to this format - a steel that sits between reactive carbon and fully stainless in both performance and maintenance demands, offering excellent edge retention and wear resistance with better corrosion resistance than standard carbon steel alternatives.
With a blade height of 50mm, this is a notably tall nakiri for its length - the extra height means more blade surface for push-cutting through root vegetables and dense produce, and more useful area for scooping and transferring cut ingredients off the board. The Damascus stainless cladding in san mai construction adds visual depth with the layered pattern showing clearly across the blade road, and the convex grind geometry reduces food sticking during the cut. The 50/50 even grind makes this equally comfortable for right- and left-handed cooks. The octagonal ebony handle is well-fitted and comfortable in both a pinch grip and a handle grip through extended prep sessions. At 5.5 oz, the knife has enough presence to feel authoritative on dense vegetables without becoming fatiguing over time.
Care Instructions: Although SLD is semi-stainless, it is not fully stainless. Hand wash and dry promptly after use. Do not leave wet or store in a damp environment. Avoid cutting frozen foods or hard materials, and do not twist the blade during use.Maker: Hatsukokoro
Location: Sakai, Japan
Construction: San Mai
Edge Steel: SLD Semi-Stainless
Cladding: Stainless Damascus
Edge: Double Bevel, 50/50
Handle: Octagonal Ebony
Weight: 5.5 oz (156 g)
Blade Length: 160 mm
Total Length: 310 mm
Spine Thickness at Heel: 2 mm
Blade Height: 50 mm
With a blade height of 50mm, this is a notably tall nakiri for its length - the extra height means more blade surface for push-cutting through root vegetables and dense produce, and more useful area for scooping and transferring cut ingredients off the board. The Damascus stainless cladding in san mai construction adds visual depth with the layered pattern showing clearly across the blade road, and the convex grind geometry reduces food sticking during the cut. The 50/50 even grind makes this equally comfortable for right- and left-handed cooks. The octagonal ebony handle is well-fitted and comfortable in both a pinch grip and a handle grip through extended prep sessions. At 5.5 oz, the knife has enough presence to feel authoritative on dense vegetables without becoming fatiguing over time.
Care Instructions: Although SLD is semi-stainless, it is not fully stainless. Hand wash and dry promptly after use. Do not leave wet or store in a damp environment. Avoid cutting frozen foods or hard materials, and do not twist the blade during use.
