[2025] How to Choose the Right Japanese Knife for Online Shopping

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.

How to Choose the Right Japanese Knife Online

■What types of Japanese knives are there?
Understand Santoku and fruit knives, but what exactly are Japanese knives? Have you ever wondered?
Japanese knives include the Deba knife and the Yanagiba knife, and are mostly used for filleting and cutting fish. As the word "Wa" (Japanese) is included, one definition is that they are knives that originated in Japan.
What are some of them specifically?
First, the Deba knife . This knife is used to cut off the head of a fish and to fillet it. Deba Knife
Next is the Yanagiba knife . It is also called a sashimi knife or a Shobu knife. This knife is used to cut a fish into three pieces and cut it into sashimi. Yanagiba Knife
Other knives include a horse mackerel cutting knife, a boat-crossing knife, a filleting knife, and even a soba cutting knife.
You can think of the horse mackerel cutting knife as a deba knife for small fish. Mackerel Cutting knife

■ Choose the knife based on its material (steel)
There are stainless steel knives and steel knives.
The knives you often see at home improvement stores are stainless steel knives.
You may be wondering what the difference is between stainless steel knives and steel knives.
Generally speaking, steel knives are sharper and last longer than stainless steel knives.
So why do people choose stainless steel knives?
This is because many people believe that "stainless steel does not rust" and "it is easy to maintain."
However, the correct thing to say is that "stainless steel also rusts, it's just not as noticeable" and "the correct way to use a stainless steel knife is to wipe off any moisture after use."
Haven't you thought, "So then, aren't stainless steel knives and steel knives the same if used correctly?"
That's right. The correct way to use a knife is the same for both stainless steel and steel knives.
Have you ever thought, "In that case, maybe a sharp steel knife would be better?"
As long as you wipe off any moisture properly after use, steel knives have a sharper edge and can be used for a longer period of time, so I think they are good value for money.
I think this has lowered the hurdle for using steel knives.

■ Knife handle
When buying a knife, have you ever considered the shape or material of the knife handle?
Recently, all-stainless steel knives and ceramic knives have become available, and knife handles come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and materials.
But think about it for a moment. When cutting ingredients, you need to apply force with a knife, or you need to make delicate movements, like when cutting sashimi. But if the knife is made of a slippery material or has a shape that doesn't fit comfortably in your hand, won't you find it difficult to cut ingredients?
Also, many stainless steel knives such as Santoku and Gyuto knives have handles that are attached with screws, so they are difficult to replace at knife stores. That's why you end up having to buy a new one, right?
In that respect, Japanese knives allow you to replace the handles, so you can easily replace a round magnolia handle with an octagonal rosewood handle. This means that even if the handle of a knife you've used for years becomes damaged and worn out, you can just replace the handle and continue using it. If you like the blade of a Japanese knife but the handle isn't so great, why not ask about replacing the handle? I think that this kind of customization is an advantage of Japanese knives and Japanese-style handles.

■Common mistakes and how to avoid them
What are some common mistakes people make when choosing a knife?
・Heavier than expected
・Lighter than expected
・Doesn't fit comfortably in the hand
・I let it rust
・I chipped the blade
Regarding weight, Sakaitoku Knives makes sure to include descriptions in the product description such as "heavy," "light," and "easy for women to use." It is easier to cut with a knife that is a certain amount of weight, but for women, a heavy knife can be difficult to use for long periods of time, so we recommend a lighter knife.
If the knife does not fit your hand well, we recommend replacing the handle if it is a Japanese knife. In general, octagonal handles fit the hand better than round ones, so we recommend replacing the handle with an octagonal one.
Next, regarding rust, many people who have purchased a steel knife for the first time tend to let the knife rust by not wiping off the moisture properly after use. In that case, you can try rubbing the knife with an abrasive sponge, which will remove the rust. From next time on, please be sure to wipe off the moisture properly after use.
If the blade is chipped, depending on the extent of the chip, it can be resharpened to return it to its original sharpness. If you are unable to sharpen your knife yourself, please use our resharpening service.
Inquiry about sharpening

■ If you want to buy online, try these stores
Buying a knife is not the end of the story; it requires maintenance and you can continue to use it for a long time.
Even if you buy a good knife, you won't be able to use it for a long time if you don't have a place to maintain it, right? So it's best to choose a store that will provide maintenance such as resharpening after you buy it, and will also give you advice on how to use it.
Sakaitoku Knives has a store in Asakusa, Tokyo. At the store, you can actually see, touch and select knives, and the staff will support you when you make your selection. In addition to providing maintenance (resharpening) after purchase, the store also holds sharpening classes , as well as classes on how to fillet fish and how to use knives for children , so it is a store where you can feel free to ask about anything related to knives. If you are in the area, or if you are visiting Asakusa, please stop by.

Let's go to a knife store!
Sakaitoku Knife Shop opened a store in Asakusa, Tokyo on April 5th. The store is located on the 6th floor of a building right outside the north exit of Tobu Asakusa Station. It is also about a 3- minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line.
We also hold sharpening classes and sharpening experiences, so please feel free to stop by if you are in the area.
Access to Sakaitoku Asakusa Knife Store
Sakaitoku Knife Shop also has channels on YouTube , Facebook and Instagram .
If you are unsure which knife to choose, please consult Sakaitoku Knives. We also post tips on how to choose and sharpen knives on social media and YouTube .

Sakaitoku Knife - YouTube
Sakaitoku Knives • Instagram