We love finding budget knives that genuinely perform, and this nakiri from the small, family-run Misuzu shop in Miki, Japan, is exactly that.
The team uses SKS93, a tough, easy-to-sharpen steel hardened to 60-61 Rockwell, covered with a softer stainless cladding that protects the core from corrosion while adding strength. This nakiri is slightly unusual in shape, known as a kamagata, with a rounded sheepsfoot front rather than the typical blunt square tip, giving the user a real point for working through finer ingredients. Unlike a deba, it remains a thin blade with a symmetrical double-edge grind, and the plain D-shaped ho wood handle keeps the look simple and traditional.
What Customers Are Saying: Reviewers consistently praise the value here, with one calling it a joy to use once you get used to the nearly flat edge profile, which rewards up and down cuts and is genuinely useful for practicing consistent sharpening angles. Another, buying their first Japanese knife, found the fit and finish modest but the performance excellent, slicing easily through produce and deboned meats, though they noted the flat profile and heel can feel slightly awkward for rocking cuts and works better for straight chopping or draw cuts when julienning. A third reviewer simply calls it hard to beat for ease of sharpening at this price.
Care Instructions: The exposed SKS93 core is reactive and will develop a patina with use, so wipe and dry the blade after each session rather than letting it sit. The stainless cladding takes care of itself. Avoid leaving acidic foods against the blade, hand wash only, and use a quality water stone when it is time to sharpen. Please note: these knives often come with small cosmetic scratches from the stamp engraving process. They are minor and do not affect performance.
The team uses SKS93, a tough, easy-to-sharpen steel hardened to 60-61 Rockwell, covered with a softer stainless cladding that protects the core from corrosion while adding strength. This nakiri is slightly unusual in shape, known as a kamagata, with a rounded sheepsfoot front rather than the typical blunt square tip, giving the user a real point for working through finer ingredients. Unlike a deba, it remains a thin blade with a symmetrical double-edge grind, and the plain D-shaped ho wood handle keeps the look simple and traditional.
What Customers Are Saying: Reviewers consistently praise the value here, with one calling it a joy to use once you get used to the nearly flat edge profile, which rewards up and down cuts and is genuinely useful for practicing consistent sharpening angles. Another, buying their first Japanese knife, found the fit and finish modest but the performance excellent, slicing easily through produce and deboned meats, though they noted the flat profile and heel can feel slightly awkward for rocking cuts and works better for straight chopping or draw cuts when julienning. A third reviewer simply calls it hard to beat for ease of sharpening at this price.
Care Instructions: The exposed SKS93 core is reactive and will develop a patina with use, so wipe and dry the blade after each session rather than letting it sit. The stainless cladding takes care of itself. Avoid leaving acidic foods against the blade, hand wash only, and use a quality water stone when it is time to sharpen. Please note: these knives often come with small cosmetic scratches from the stamp engraving process. They are minor and do not affect performance.
- Brand: Misuzu
- Location: Miki, Japan
- Construction: San Mai
- Edge Steel: SKS93 Carbon Steel
- Cladding: Stainless
- Knife Type: Kama Nakiri
- Edge Grind: Even, Double Bevel
- Engraving: Stamped
- Handle: D-Shaped Ho Wood
- Ferrule: Black Plastic
- Weight: 3.9 oz (111 g)
- Blade Length: 164 mm
- Total Length: 307 mm
- Spine Thickness at Base: 2 mm
- Blade Height: 44 mm
Reviews
4 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Great KnifePosted By: Ari
26 people found this review helpful
Got this guy to process veggies and it's doing great so far. The edge is almost completely flat so get ready to practice those up-and-down cuts with this guys. Once you get that done, it's a joy to use. The heel is just tall enough to be able to use it for small tasks like shallots, garlic and chives. Final note: it is excellent for the new sharpener as the flat edge is great to practice consistent angles on.
Thanks CKTG for delivering a great blade!
26 people found this review helpful
Got this guy to process veggies and it's doing great so far. The edge is almost completely flat so get ready to practice those up-and-down cuts with this guys. Once you get that done, it's a joy to use. The heel is just tall enough to be able to use it for small tasks like shallots, garlic and chives. Final note: it is excellent for the new sharpener as the flat edge is great to practice consistent angles on.
Thanks CKTG for delivering a great blade!
Great starterPosted By: Erik - verified customer
17 people found this review helpful
This is my first Japanese knife and I chose it because of the thinness of the blade and light weight. As others have noted the fit and finish are not going to blow anyone away, but it takes a screaming edge and melts through produce and deboned meats. I've found it a little awkward to use, though, because the blade profile is almost completely flat and the heel of the blade wants to stop the cut. Really better for straight up and down chopping. Sheepsfoot is handy for draw cuts to make julienned veg. Overall, I am pretty pleased for the money spent.
17 people found this review helpful
This is my first Japanese knife and I chose it because of the thinness of the blade and light weight. As others have noted the fit and finish are not going to blow anyone away, but it takes a screaming edge and melts through produce and deboned meats. I've found it a little awkward to use, though, because the blade profile is almost completely flat and the heel of the blade wants to stop the cut. Really better for straight up and down chopping. Sheepsfoot is handy for draw cuts to make julienned veg. Overall, I am pretty pleased for the money spent.
Nice knife easy to sharpen
