What makes Japanese knives different from Western knives?

Japanese knives are typically forged from harder steel, allowing them to be thinner and hold a much sharper edge (often a 12-15 degree angle) than heavier Western knives. This results in precision, effortless cuts, and less fatigue during food prep.

What is the best Japanese knife for a beginner?

For a first Japanese knife, we highly recommend either a 210mm Gyuto (the Japanese equivalent of a chef's knife) or a 165mm Santoku. If you want easy maintenance, choose a stainless steel option like VG-10 or SG2 rather than high-carbon steel.

Do Japanese knives rust?

It depends on the steel. Traditional high-carbon steels (like Aogami or Shirogami) will rust if left wet and require wiping down immediately after use. However, we offer hundreds of stainless steel and stainless-clad Japanese knives that are highly resistant to rust and very easy to maintain.

How do you sharpen a Japanese kitchen knife?

Japanese knives should be sharpened by hand using water whetstones. You should never use a pull-through sharpener or a standard honing steel on a high-end Japanese blade, as the hard steel can easily chip. We also recommend regular stropping to maintain the edge between whetstone sessions.