If you’re planning to make the most popular Japanese meal, then it’s good to learn what is the best sushi knife on the market. Luckily, you won’t have to do a lot of work because we’ve tested some of the top-rated knives out there to help future buyers make the best decision.
Here’s a list of the top five best sushi knives:
- Yoshihiro VG-10 8.25″,
- Yoshihiro VG-10 9.5”,
- Kai Wasabi Black Yanagiba,
- Mercer Culinary Asian Collection Yanagi Sashimi,
- Mercer Culinary Asian Collection Yanagi Sashimi Left-Handed.
The best sushi knife is the Yoshihiro VG-10, which offers excellent performance and a high-quality blade made of 46 layers of hammered Damascus steel. Other good choices include Yoshihiro VG-10 9.5”, Kai Wasabi Black Yanagiba, and Mercer Culinary Asian Collection Yanagi Sashimi.
Keep reading if you want to find out more about each knife from our list.
Yoshihiro VG-10 8.25″ – Our Best Pick
Highlights
VG-10 Hammered Damascus Gyuto is an incredible chef knife made of 46 layers of Damascus steel. The handle is handmade in the Japanese Octagonal Shitan Rosewood style, while the blade is hammered and forged with VG-10 Core, which is one of the best sellers.
Traditional Gyuto style means you’ll have a chef’s knife. Count on the perfect cut, curved blade, and extended tip. All this will help chop fish, vegetables, and meat quicker. Considering the combination of beauty, extraordinary value, and performance, no wonder this product is a best seller.
Features
- Non-corrosive Damascus stainless steel forget with 46 layers,
- Double-Bevel blade sharpened to 15 degrees,
- Superior Japanese steel – VG-10 gold core with high Carbon nickel,
- Handcrafted natural magnolia handle,
- Ergonomic handle fit,
- Tsuchime blade finish prevents sticking food,
- Hand wash only,
- Rockwell hardness rates 60.
What We Like About Yoshihiro VG-10 8.25″
Considering that this knife is one of Amazon’s top picks, let’s check what’s so good about this product. The fact that food isn’t sticking to a blade is already a huge benefit. I also need to mention the handcrafted handle with traditional Japanese Wa-style. It’s perfect kitchen gear for both professional and home chefs.
What We Don’t Like About It
Yoshihiro VG-10 46 Layers Hammered Damascus Gyuto Japanese Chefs Knife is one of the most expensive products on our list.
| Pros | Cons |
| Durable | Expensive |
| Forged Damascus blade | Can’t use it to cut frozen food, bones, and nutshells |
| It’s not mass-produced | |
| Every knife is a work of art | |
| Saya – a wooden protective sheet |
Yoshihiro VG-10 9.5” for Sushi
Highlights
No matter if you’re a professional chef or an amateur, having the right kitchen gear when making sushi is vital. Some of the best things this knife will provide you with are the same as our previous pick because they are practically the same. The only difference is the size of the blade – it’s 9.5”.
A natural wood handle with the traditional Japanese design of the blade is the perfect mix for comfortable use. It is proudly made with a lot of care in Japan. With this knife, you’ll get a Saya, a special wooden sheath that will protect the knife when you’re not using it.
Features
- Long narrow blade,
- 46 layers of hammered and forged steel,
- Can slice fish, meat, and vegetables thinly,
- Hand wash only,
- Handcrafted in Japan.
What We Like About Yoshihiro VG-10 9.5”
Having a knife that is easy to use, lightweight and comfortable in your grip is something you need to look for when purchasing a sushi knife. Once you figure out how much raw fish is needed for sushi, the Yoshihiro VG-10 9.5” blade will significantly ease the preparation of this delicacy.
What We Don’t Like About It
With all the good sides this kitchen gear will bring, you probably think there’s no room for any downside. However, like its smaller version, the higher price is the only con about this product.
| Pros | Cons |
| VG-10 steel core blade | Expensive |
| Stain-resistant | |
| Octagonal Rosewood handle | |
| Made in Japan |
Kai Wasabi Black Yanagiba Knife
Highlights
When you’re tired of wondering where to get free sushi, then it’s the right time to invest in professional kitchen gear. Kai Wasabi Black Yanagiba is great for slicing ultra-thin pieces of food, especially sashimi and sushi.
Kai products are made following rigorous dedication to creating high-quality products. That’s why every manufacturing step is carefully made by experienced professionals. With a long history of perfection, customers can count on unique Kai products for their outstanding value, top quality, ongoing innovation, and state-of-the-art technology.
Features
- Stainless steel Daido 1K6 high-carbon blade,
- Made in Seki City, the knife-making capital of Japan,
- Single-sided blade design,
- Nice weight,
- Bamboo powder and polypropylene mix handle.
What We Like About Kai Wasabi Black Yanagiba Knife
If you already know how much sushi weighs and also how many pieces of sushi are in the sushi roll, Kai Wasabi knives will provide you with durability, precision, and comfort. Every cut will be a breeze with the perfect combination of Western-style function and form with a Japanese blade shape.
What We Don’t Like About It
Consider some cons of these knives before purchasing them. It has a short apex, and the handle quality is poor.
| Pros | Cons |
| Attractive finish | Apex is short |
| Limited lifetime warranty | Poor quality handle |
| Dishwasher safe | |
| Bead-blasted blades | |
| Affordable |
Mercer Culinary Asian Collection Yanagi Sashimi Knife
Highlights
Becoming a real expert means you need to learn how long to bake sushi. But when you have the right kitchen gear, the entire process will become easier. Mercer Yanagi Sashimi Knife will make precise slices. After a while, it will become a constant tool you use in the kitchen.
There are two handle options – wooden and Santoprene. The first one will provide traditional comfort, while the second offers improved performance and a firm grip. The choice is yours, so check what will suit your needs better.
Features
- For right-handed use,
- Non-stick, high-carbon stainless blade,
- Equivalent to a western slicer,
- Great edge retention,
- Hand wash only,
- Limited lifetime warranty.
What We Like About Mercer Culinary Asian Collection Yanagi Sashimi Knife
Weighing only 0.55 lbs and with a 6° angle on one side and 15° on the other, this tool can easily become one of your favorite kitchen knives. The handle is slip-resistant, and its sharpness makes it even more perfect for thinly cutting sushi, sashimi, or fish.
What We Don’t Like About It
Having to think about which version to get can be overwhelming for many people. Also, some consumers just don’t prefer it because of the poor quality handle.
| Pros | Cons |
| No sticking blade | Designed only for right-handed users |
| Limited lifetime warranty | Poor quality handle |
| German steel | |
| Easy to sharpen |
Mercer Culinary Asian Collection Left-Handed Yanagi Sashimi Knife with NSF Handle
Highlights
If you’re looking for a good starter knife that will finely cut sushi and fish, check Mercer Yanagi. The brand has two versions of the same knife – one for right and another for left-handed users. Since this knife is from the same Mercer Culinary Collection, just the left-handed version, you can expect the same features as the right-handed version provides.
Features
- European knife made,
- Razor-sharp, German steel,
- High-carbon and stain, corrosion, discoloration, and rust proof,
- Hand wash care,
- Single-edge blade – left-hand profile,
- 6° angle on one side and 15° on the other,
- Handle made of slip-resistant Santoprene,
- Traditional D-shaped handle,
- NSF certified to handle,
- Limited lifetime warranty.
What We Like About Mercer Culinary Asian Collection Left-Handed Yanagi Sashimi Knife with NSF Handle
If you’re left-handed, a good product with an NSF handle that is created precisely for left-handed individuals is something you should definitely check out. Considering the reasonable price, it’s worth giving it a try. It will reduce the cutting time and make it a breeze.
What We Don’t Like About It
The fact that you need to find a special knife for left-handed people is a bit overwhelming. Add the fact that these knives don’t come with a wooden handle.
| Pros | Cons |
| Reasonable price | Only for left-handed customers |
| Sharp and stainless blade | No wood handle |
| Limited life warranty |
The Best Sushi Knife – Final Verdict
Considering all the aspects one sushi knife should have, Yoshihiro VG-10 is surely the best one for your kitchen. You can finally forget about friction and food sticking to the blade.
With 46 layers of Damascus steel with a VG-10 core, this is one of the highest quality products on the market and also a top-rated one. With an ergonomic and lightweight handle, you’ll have the utmost cutting experience.
FAQs
- Does it come with traditional Japanese packaging (box)?
It comes in a box, but it’s not a traditional one. Since the knife has Saya – a wooden cover, you won’t need a box for it.
- How much does this knife weigh?
This kitchen gear weighs 110 grams. The light weight makes it effortless to use and maneuver by anyone.
- Is this handle for right-handed users?
It’s for both right and left-handed users.
- Does this knife have an edge on each side?
These knives are double-edged.