[2024] Left-handed Japanese knife
I am Okudaira, the owner of "Japanese Kitchen Knife TOKU''.
We want to sell knives made in our hometown of Sakai, Osaka, so we purchase and sell knives made in Sakai from a knife manufacturer in Sakai.
We don't just sell knives, we visit a number of blacksmiths and bladesmiths in Sakai to help our customers understand knives, experience the actual work, and hear from the craftsmen. I'm here. In addition to Sakai, we also visit Seki in Gifu, Tsubame-Sanjo in Niigata, Tanegashima in Kagoshima and Katsushika in Tokyo, in an effort to deepen our understanding of the characteristics and commitment of each.
Left-handed Japanese knives
Recently, I have received several inquiries about Japanese knives for left-handed people.
Japanese knives are single-edged and are usually made for right-handed use.
So, if a left-handed person uses a right-handed Japanese knife, they will not be able to cut as well as they would like.
In the case of a sashimi knife, the difference is whether you cut the slices from the right or the left.
So, left-handed people will have to purchase Japanese knives for left-handed people.
However, left-handed knives usually cost 1.5 times as much as right-handed knives.
There is little demand for left-handed knives, so they are made to order.
There are handles for right-handed and left-handed people, and not only the blade but also the handles are 1.5 times more expensive. The Ichii octagonal handles sold by "Japanese Kitchen Knife TOKU'' do not have left or right sides, so there is no surcharge for left-handed people, but if you change a right-handed knife to a left-handed one, there will be a surcharge.
In addition, due to the high demand recently and production unable to keep up, it can easily take several months from ordering to delivery, making it a difficult situation to recommend for those who want it right away.
So we started looking for double-edged deba knives or sashimi knives, and discovered that a knife manufacturer in Tanegashima with whom "Japanese Kitchen Knife TOKU'' does business makes double-edged deba knives and sashimi knives.
If it is double-edged, it does not matter whether you are right-handed or left-handed, so you can use it without any restrictions based on your dominant hand.
Also, since there is no price increase, it is easy to purchase.
You won't be able to feel the benefits of a single-edged knife, but unlike using a Gyuto or Santoku knife to fillet fish, I think using a knife that is suitable for filleting fish will allow you to enjoy the ingredients more deliciously.
The taste of food depends not only on the type and material of the knife, but also on how the ingredients are cut.
I think knowing how to use different knives is also an important factor, so it might be a good idea to try out different types of knives at a knife specialty store.
Let's go to a knife store!
If you don't understand it until you see it, go to a knife store and try holding a knife. However, most stores do not allow you to try cutting the knife, so you cannot check the sharpness before purchasing.
"Japanese Kitchen Knife TOKU'' does not have a store, but we set up stalls at events, so please feel free to stop by if we have one in your area.If there is no knife specialty store nearby, it is a good idea to purchase from an online knife specialty store.
"Japanese Kitchen Knife TOKU'' has posted a video showing the actual cutting process, so please use it as reference.