Shun
Kanso 6.5" Hollow Ground Nakiri
Best vegetable knife for home cooks seeking precision and effortless prep.
Discover the Shun Kanso 6.5" Hollow Ground Nakiri, a Japanese-style vegetable knife designed for efficiency and safety. Its straight blade and edge are perfect for simple push cuts, while the blunt end ensures ease of use. Hollow-ground indentations help food release effortlessly, making prep work a breeze. Crafted with an AUS10A high-carbon stainless steel blade for strength and corrosion resistance, it features a razor-sharp 16° edge. The contoured Tagayasan wood handle offers durability and beauty, complemented by full-tang construction for balance. Handcrafted in Japan, this versatile knife excels with fruits and vegetables and can serve as an all-purpose tool.
$114.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
2812
/ 5108
#2812 in Kitchen Knives
Price vs Category Average
-14%
Below average
Blade Length
6.5.165
/ in (mm)
Who it's for
- Home cooks seeking effortless vegetable prep and precision slicing
- Efficiency-minded chefs wanting to minimize food sticking during chopping
- Quality-focused buyers investing in durable, high-performance Japanese cutlery
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious shoppers looking for an affordable kitchen starter
- Busy cooks preferring low-maintenance, dishwasher-safe kitchen tools
- Minimalists needing a single, versatile knife for all kitchen tasks
Performance breakdown
Vegetable Prep Efficiency
The straight edge and hollow-ground indentations make quick work of produce.
Edge Retention
AUS10A steel provides a reliable balance of sharpness and long-term durability.
Food Release
Hollow-ground indentations effectively prevent produce from sticking during rapid chopping.
Ergonomic Balance
Full-tang construction ensures a stable, comfortable grip for extended prep sessions.
Safety Design
The blunt tip design minimizes accidental punctures during high-speed vegetable work.
Material Craftsmanship
Tagayasan wood and Japanese forging create a premium, heirloom-quality aesthetic.
Key Specs
Blade Length
6.5 in. (165mm)
Blade Steel
AUS10A
Blade Steel Layers
1 layer solid steel
Blade Edge
Non-Serrated
Handle Material
Tagayasan (Wenge)
Handle Length
4.8 in. (122mm)
Dimensions
2.0 in. H x 11.6 in. L x 0.8 in. W
Weight
5.7 oz (162 g)
Features
- Straight blade, edge, and spine perfect for simple push cuts
- Blunt end for extra safety and ease of use
- Hollow-ground indentations help food release from the blade
- AUS10A blade offers strength, corrosion resistance, hardness, and wear resistance
- Razor-sharp 16° edge on each side
- Contoured Tagayasan (wenge) wood handle for durability and beauty
- Full-tang construction for durability and precision balance
- Handcrafted in Japan
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the Kanso Nakiri for its exceptional sharpness and superior cutting performance. Many highlight how effortlessly it glides through vegetables, making meal preparation a joy. The knife's robust build and high quality materials also receive frequent commendation, assuring users of its lasting durability. Its comfortable handle contributes to an overall positive experience, reinforcing its reputation as a reliable kitchen essential.
Know before you buy
The hollow-ground indentations, often called granton edges, create small air pockets between the blade and the food. This significantly reduces friction and prevents thin slices of vegetables from sticking to the knife while you work.
No, this knife is specifically designed for vegetables and fruits. Because it features a thin, razor-sharp 16° edge, it is not suitable for cutting through bones, frozen foods, or dense proteins, which could damage the blade.
Tagayasan, also known as wenge, is a dense and durable hardwood naturally resistant to moisture. While it is highly resilient, you should always hand wash and dry the knife immediately after use to maintain the integrity of the wood and the blade.
AUS10A is a high-carbon stainless steel that offers an excellent balance of hardness and corrosion resistance. It allows the blade to hold a very sharp edge for a long time while remaining relatively easy to maintain and sharpen.
The blunt tip is a signature feature of the Nakiri style, designed to prioritize safety and efficient push-cutting on a cutting board. While it isn't meant for piercing or delicate tip-work, it is exceptionally effective for chopping, dicing, and mincing produce.
Full-tang construction means the steel of the blade extends all the way through the handle. This provides superior structural integrity, durability, and a balanced weight distribution that makes the knife feel stable and controlled in your hand.
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$115