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japanese knives are of good quality, to the point expert chefs worldwide use these. these knives come with many looks and use. for now, we will learn about the two bevels of japanese knives and how these affect the slices. a bevel is a slanted or angled surface, usually at the edge of a blade. in the context of knives, a bevel refers to the angled surface created when a blade is sharpened. a single bevel refers to a blade with only one angled surface, while a double bevel refers to a blade with two angled surfaces with the same angle on both sides. the angle of the bevel can affect how the knife cuts, with a steeper angle providing a sharper edge, but also making the knife more fragile. the shape of the bevel can also affect the knife's performance, with different bevel forms providing different levels of sharpness and durability. what is a single bevel knife? a single bevel knife is known as one-sided knife or chisel edge knife, is a knife that is sharpened on only one side of the blade. this type of knife is typically used for tasks such as traditional japanese sushi and sashimi preparation or for left-handed individuals. the blade's unsharpened side is generally thicker and flatter, which can help guide the knife through certain types of food. some examples of single bevel knives include a deba knife, yanagiba knife, and an usuba knife. these knives are commonly used in japanese cuisine, but can also be used for other types of precision cutting tasks. what is a double bevel knife? a double bevel knife, also known as a v-edge or symmetrical edge knife, is a type of knife that is sharpened on both sides of the blade at the same angle. this type of knife is more versatile and is commonly used for a variety of tasks in western cooking. the angle of the blade on a double bevel knife can vary, affecting how it slices through different types of food. common examples of double bevel knives include chef's knife, utility knife, paring knife, and serrated knife. these knives are suitable for various tasks such as chopping, slicing, and dicing vegetables, fruits, meats, and fish. is there a difference in slicing with single bevel or double bevel knives? s ingle bevel knives are primarily associated with japanese cuisine. they are traditionally used in japanese kitchens for specific tasks, such as slicing vegetables, filleting fish, or preparing sashimi. some common types of single bevel knives include:. usuba: a traditional japanese vegetable knife used for slicing and cutting vegetables. deba : a heavy knife used for filleting fish and breaking down poultry. yanagiba : a long, thin knife for slicing sashimi and other raw fish dishes. honesuki: a heavy, triangular knife that breaks down poultry and other meats. single bevel knives are less common in western kitchens but are growing in popularity as more people become interested in traditional japanese cooking techniques. they can take some getting used to, as the asymmetrical shape of the blade requires a different cutting technique, but they can be a valuable addition to a cook's knife collection for specialized tasks. it is not a matter of preference between single bevel and double bevel knives for japanese chefs. instead, it is a matter of using the right tool for the right task. while many traditional japanese knives are single bevel, some are double bevel. here are a few examples of double bevel japanese knives:. santoku knife : a japanese all-purpose knife similar to a western chef's knife. gyuto knife : a japanese chef's knife used for various tasks such as chopping, mincing, slicing, and dicing. sujikiri knife: a long, thin knife for slicing meats, fish, and vegetables. nakiri knife : a rectangular knife for cutting vegetables, similar to usuba, but with a double bevel blade edge. these japanese knives are double beveled, making them easier to use and maintain than single bevel knives. they are popular among japanese home cooks and professional chefs and are also growing in popularity in western kitchens. double bevel japanese knives are well-balanced, sharp, and durable, making them valuable to any cook's knife collection. there is a difference between slicing with a single bevel knife and a double bevel knife. a single bevel knife , also known as a chisel edge or bevel edge knife, has only one angled side, which makes it ideal for precise cutting tasks, such as filleting fish, or making clean cuts through thicker, tougher ingredients like carrots, or slicing through hard cheese. a double bevel knife, also known as a v-edge knife, has two angled sides that converge to a sharp point. these angles make it easier to use for various cutting tasks, as the blade can be used on either side to make right or left-handed cuts. as a result, double bevel knives are generally more versatile and easier to use than single bevel knives, making them a more popular choice among home and professional cooks. in general, single bevel knives are better suited for specialized tasks that require a high degree of precision, while double bevel knives are a more all-purpose option for general cutting and slicing tasks. japanese chefs tend to use a combination of both single bevel and double bevel knives, depending on the task at hand. they recognize the unique benefits of each type of knife and choose the one that best fits the job. which is better? single bevel or double bevel knife? whether a single bevel knife or a double bevel knife is better depends on your specific needs and preferences.single bevel knives are ideal for precise cutting tasks, such as slicing raw fish for sushi or sashimi, or peeling and shaping vegetables in japanese cuisine. they offer more control and precision in cutting, but require more skill and experience to use effectively.in conclusion, both single bevel and double bevel knives have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, and the better choice depends on what type of tasks you will be using the knife for and your level of skill and experience. a single bevel knife may be the better choice if you're looking for a specialized tool for a specific task. a double bevel knife is probably a better option if you need a versatile, all-purpose knife.
Japanese knives are of good quality, to the point expert chefs worldwide use these. These knives come with many looks and use. For now, we will learn about the two bevels of Japanese knives and how these affect the slices.
A bevel is a slanted or angled surface, usually at the edge of a blade. In the context of knives, a bevel refers to the angled surface created when a blade is sharpened. A single bevel refers to a blade with only one angled surface, while a double bevel refers to a blade with two angled surfaces with the same angle on both sides. The angle of the bevel can affect how the knife cuts, with a steeper angle providing a sharper edge, but also making the knife more fragile. The shape of the bevel can also affect the knife's performance, with different bevel forms providing different levels of sharpness and durability.
What is a Single Bevel Knife?
A single bevel knife is known as one-sided knife or chisel edge knife, is a knife that is sharpened on only one side of the blade. This type of knife is typically used for tasks such as traditional Japanese sushi and sashimi preparation or for left-handed individuals. The blade's unsharpened side is generally thicker and flatter, which can help guide the knife through certain types of food. Some examples of single bevel knives include a Deba knife, Yanagiba knife, and an Usuba knife. These knives are commonly used in Japanese cuisine, but can also be used for other types of precision cutting tasks.
What is a Double Bevel Knife?
A double bevel knife, also known as a V-edge or symmetrical edge knife, is a type of knife that is sharpened on both sides of the blade at the same angle. This type of knife is more versatile and is commonly used for a variety of tasks in Western cooking. The angle of the blade on a double bevel knife can vary, affecting how it slices through different types of food. Common examples of double bevel knives include chef's knife, utility knife, paring knife, and serrated knife. These knives are suitable for various tasks such as chopping, slicing, and dicing vegetables, fruits, meats, and fish.
Is there a difference in slicing with single bevel or double bevel knives?
Single bevel knives are primarily associated with Japanese cuisine. They are traditionally used in Japanese kitchens for specific tasks, such as slicing vegetables, filleting fish, or preparing sashimi. Some common types of single bevel knives include:
Usuba: A traditional Japanese vegetable knife used for slicing and cutting vegetables.
Deba: A heavy knife used for filleting fish and breaking down poultry.
Yanagiba: A long, thin knife for slicing sashimi and other raw fish dishes.
Honesuki: A heavy, triangular knife that breaks down poultry and other meats.
Single bevel knives are less common in Western kitchens but are growing in popularity as more people become interested in traditional Japanese cooking techniques. They can take some getting used to, as the asymmetrical shape of the blade requires a different cutting technique, but they can be a valuable addition to a cook's knife collection for specialized tasks.
It is not a matter of preference between single bevel and double bevel knives for Japanese chefs. Instead, it is a matter of using the right tool for the right task.
While many traditional Japanese knives are single bevel, some are double bevel. Here are a few examples of double bevel Japanese knives:
Santoku knife: A Japanese all-purpose knife similar to a Western chef's knife.
Gyuto knife: A Japanese chef's knife used for various tasks such as chopping, mincing, slicing, and dicing.
Sujikiri Knife: A long, thin knife for slicing meats, fish, and vegetables.
Nakiri knife: A rectangular knife for cutting vegetables, similar to Usuba, but with a double bevel blade edge.
These Japanese knives are double beveled, making them easier to use and maintain than single bevel knives. They are popular among Japanese home cooks and professional chefs and are also growing in popularity in Western kitchens. Double bevel Japanese knives are well-balanced, sharp, and durable, making them valuable to any cook's knife collection.
There is a difference between slicing with a single bevel knife and a double bevel knife.
A single bevel knife, also known as a chisel edge or bevel edge knife, has only one angled side, which makes it ideal for precise cutting tasks, such as filleting fish, or making clean cuts through thicker, tougher ingredients like carrots, or slicing through hard cheese.
A double bevel knife, also known as a V-edge knife, has two angled sides that converge to a sharp point. These angles make it easier to use for various cutting tasks, as the blade can be used on either side to make right or left-handed cuts. As a result, double bevel knives are generally more versatile and easier to use than single bevel knives, making them a more popular choice among home and professional cooks.
In general, single bevel knives are better suited for specialized tasks that require a high degree of precision, while double bevel knives are a more all-purpose option for general cutting and slicing tasks. Japanese chefs tend to use a combination of both single bevel and double bevel knives, depending on the task at hand. They recognize the unique benefits of each type of knife and choose the one that best fits the job.
Which is better? Single bevel or double bevel knife?
Whether a single bevel knife or a double bevel knife is better depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Single bevel knives are ideal for precise cutting tasks, such as slicing raw fish for sushi or sashimi, or peeling and shaping vegetables in Japanese cuisine. They offer more control and precision in cutting, but require more skill and experience to use effectively.
In conclusion, both single bevel and double bevel knives have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, and the better choice depends on what type of tasks you will be using the knife for and your level of skill and experience. A single bevel knife may be the better choice if you're looking for a specialized tool for a specific task. A double bevel knife is probably a better option if you need a versatile, all-purpose knife.
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Confused? We made graphs to let you know where all the blade material lives in terms of all the materials used for most Japanese knives in the market today.
I hope the above graph helps you understand what you are picking. (Our product materials are in blue letters.)
Below is another graph showing differences and price and hardness of each material.
And here are the detail of each materials.
Stainless Steel Options
Popular options as they do not require heavy maintenance like non-stainless steel options.
CM Stainless (CM合金鋼製)
The Most Popular Material
The material of choice for professional chefs. It’s rust-resistant, and in turn easy to maintain. It is made of high-carbon steel with chromium molybdenum. Which is equal in sharpness, sharpening properties, and hardness to carbon steel knives. This material is used for both CM options - the Japanese Style magnolia wood handle and the western style handle.
Super French (スーパーフレンチ)
The More Economical Choice, That Is Still Equally Sharp. Super French knives are made using carefully selected alloy steel that creates a more affordable price. Making it ideal for at-home cooking enthusiasts and beginners alike. It is equal in sharpness, sharpening properties, polishability, and hardness to carbon steel knives. Plus it is also rust-resistant. The notch in the lower part of the handle creates ease of use. While it isn’t super sharp or hard like the other types, it can do most jobs just as well.
Non-Stainless Steel (Rusts and require high maintenance)
These knives require high maintenance and will rust very easily. They are only used by limited chefs in Japan.
HM Carbon Steel (HM炭素鋼製)
The Hardest & Sharpest Knife in Japan.
The knife of choice for top-tier chefs around the world. In fact, it’s the hardest and sharpest knife in Japan - perhaps even the world. However, it also requires the most upkeep as it easily rusts. It’s handmade with the same technique as samurai swords. Using specially selected blade steel, of pure iron + carbon. The key advantage is that it holds its sharpness extremely well. Then it’s forged with traditional bladesmith techniques passed down for generations. It truly is a legacy knife!
Kasumi Superlative Carbon Steel (本霞製最上級品)
Kasumi Superlative Knives are made by joining a piece of soft iron with a piece of carbon steel. The soft iron portion protects the hardened steel that tends to fracture. This reduces brittleness and makes sharpening easier.
Honyaki (本焼)
Honyaki knives are made of steel strengthened by quenching. Since quenching the entire steel blade makes the blade brittle and makes aligning its curve difficult, the blade is quenched only from the cutting edge to about the blade's half-point. The high price of Honyaki products is because their production is extremely labor-intensive.
How to choose the size of my knife
Measure the length of your hand from the wrist line to the top of your longest finger.
Then, round the number up to the nearest knife size. For instance, if your hand has a length of 17cm (170mm or 6.7 inches), you can comfortably use a knife with a blade length of 180mm (7.1 inches).
It's not an exact science, but it gives you a good idea of whether or not a knife will suit you.
Here is a chart of what sizes of knives are available based on the blade length.
Add-ons Available for Your Knife
Magnolia Wooden Handle and Knife Collar Options
Magnolia Wooden Handle
Smooth, Comfortable, and Natural Feel
There are many reasons that home cooks and chefs choose to use a magnolia handle. The foremost is that they're incredibly comfortable and feel perfect in hand. The importance of this can't be understated - a knife that's easier to hold is easier to cut with.
High-quality, solid wood.
Smooth, easy hold that feels good.
Great color - water and fade resistance.
Why Magnolia Wood?
Magnolias are beautiful, large flowering trees that have sweet, floral fragrances. The wood of the Magnolia tree is beloved by Japanese artisans for a number of reasons. Such as its easy workability, strength, and lightness. It is also highly water-resistant, has a lovely bright color, and is reasonably priced. These qualities have made it a popular material choice for a variety of objects, including chopping boards, sheaths, furniture, and knife handles.
The Benefits Of Magnolia Wood For Knives
Magnolia handles are the most popular in Japan. The bright-colored wood adds a beautiful natural look and comfortable feel. The wood itself is lightweight and soft, yet tough. It provides a textured grip that helps prevent slipping while cutting. It’s a great choice for knives as it is water-resistant and doesn’t contain any resins that might cause corrosion in carbon steel.
For Left Handed knives, we will situate the D-shape in the opposite way than right-handed knives.
Knife Collar Options
Plastic Collar (Default Option - No cost)
Vegan Friendly & Economical For those concerned about using animal products - we offer a plastic alternative. It’s just as reliable, waterproof, and durable. It is also the standard, free option.
Vegan friendly.
Waterproof & durable.
Helps protect your fingers.
The cheaper option.
Molded Buffalo Horns
For an additional $100
Buffalo horn is a waterproof, durable, and natural material pleasing to the eye. It feels especially nice when held. This material is a traditional choice and gives knife handles a classic Japanese look. It also makes the knife 100% natural origin.
There are many reasons that home cooks and chefs choose to use a magnolia handle. The foremost is that they're incredibly comfortable and feel perfect in hand. The importance of this can't be understated - a knife that's easier to hold is easier to cut with.
High-quality, solid wood.
Smooth, easy hold that feels good.
Great color - water and fade resistance.
Why Magnolia Wood?
Magnolias are beautiful, large flowering trees that have sweet, floral fragrances. The wood of the Magnolia tree is beloved by Japanese artisans for a number of reasons. Such as its easy workability, strength, and lightness. It is also highly water-resistant, has a lovely bright color, and is reasonably priced. These qualities have made it a popular material choice for a variety of objects, including chopping boards, sheaths, furniture, and knife handles.
The Benefits Of Magnolia Wood For Knives
Magnolia handles are the most popular in Japan. The bright-colored wood adds a beautiful natural look and comfortable feel. The wood itself is lightweight and soft, yet tough. It provides a textured grip that helps prevent slipping while cutting. It’s a great choice for knives as it is water-resistant and doesn’t contain any resins that might cause corrosion in carbon steel.
For Left Handed knives, we will situate the D-shape in the opposite way than right-handed knives.
About Hamaguri-ba (Clam Blade) 蛤刃
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japanese knives are of good quality, to the point expert chefs worldwide use these. these knives come with many looks and use. for now, we will learn about the two bevels of japanese knives and how these affect the slices. a bevel is a slanted or angled surface, usually at the edge of a blade. in the context of knives, a bevel refers to the angled surface created when a blade is sharpened. a single bevel refers to a blade with only one angled surface, while a double bevel refers to a blade with two angled surfaces with the same angle on both sides. the angle of the bevel can affect how the knife cuts, with a steeper angle providing a sharper edge, but also making the knife more fragile. the shape of the bevel can also affect the knife's performance, with different bevel forms providing different levels of sharpness and durability. what is a single bevel knife? a single bevel knife is known as one-sided knife or chisel edge knife, is a knife that is sharpened on only one side of the blade. this type of knife is typically used for tasks such as traditional japanese sushi and sashimi preparation or for left-handed individuals. the blade's unsharpened side is generally thicker and flatter, which can help guide the knife through certain types of food. some examples of single bevel knives include a deba knife, yanagiba knife, and an usuba knife. these knives are commonly used in japanese cuisine, but can also be used for other types of precision cutting tasks. what is a double bevel knife? a double bevel knife, also known as a v-edge or symmetrical edge knife, is a type of knife that is sharpened on both sides of the blade at the same angle. this type of knife is more versatile and is commonly used for a variety of tasks in western cooking. the angle of the blade on a double bevel knife can vary, affecting how it slices through different types of food. common examples of double bevel knives include chef's knife, utility knife, paring knife, and serrated knife. these knives are suitable for various tasks such as chopping, slicing, and dicing vegetables, fruits, meats, and fish. is there a difference in slicing with single bevel or double bevel knives? s ingle bevel knives are primarily associated with japanese cuisine. they are traditionally used in japanese kitchens for specific tasks, such as slicing vegetables, filleting fish, or preparing sashimi. some common types of single bevel knives include:. usuba: a traditional japanese vegetable knife used for slicing and cutting vegetables. deba : a heavy knife used for filleting fish and breaking down poultry. yanagiba : a long, thin knife for slicing sashimi and other raw fish dishes. honesuki: a heavy, triangular knife that breaks down poultry and other meats. single bevel knives are less common in western kitchens but are growing in popularity as more people become interested in traditional japanese cooking techniques. they can take some getting used to, as the asymmetrical shape of the blade requires a different cutting technique, but they can be a valuable addition to a cook's knife collection for specialized tasks. it is not a matter of preference between single bevel and double bevel knives for japanese chefs. instead, it is a matter of using the right tool for the right task. while many traditional japanese knives are single bevel, some are double bevel. here are a few examples of double bevel japanese knives:. santoku knife : a japanese all-purpose knife similar to a western chef's knife. gyuto knife : a japanese chef's knife used for various tasks such as chopping, mincing, slicing, and dicing. sujikiri knife: a long, thin knife for slicing meats, fish, and vegetables. nakiri knife : a rectangular knife for cutting vegetables, similar to usuba, but with a double bevel blade edge. these japanese knives are double beveled, making them easier to use and maintain than single bevel knives. they are popular among japanese home cooks and professional chefs and are also growing in popularity in western kitchens. double bevel japanese knives are well-balanced, sharp, and durable, making them valuable to any cook's knife collection. there is a difference between slicing with a single bevel knife and a double bevel knife. a single bevel knife , also known as a chisel edge or bevel edge knife, has only one angled side, which makes it ideal for precise cutting tasks, such as filleting fish, or making clean cuts through thicker, tougher ingredients like carrots, or slicing through hard cheese. a double bevel knife, also known as a v-edge knife, has two angled sides that converge to a sharp point. these angles make it easier to use for various cutting tasks, as the blade can be used on either side to make right or left-handed cuts. as a result, double bevel knives are generally more versatile and easier to use than single bevel knives, making them a more popular choice among home and professional cooks. in general, single bevel knives are better suited for specialized tasks that require a high degree of precision, while double bevel knives are a more all-purpose option for general cutting and slicing tasks. japanese chefs tend to use a combination of both single bevel and double bevel knives, depending on the task at hand. they recognize the unique benefits of each type of knife and choose the one that best fits the job. which is better? single bevel or double bevel knife? whether a single bevel knife or a double bevel knife is better depends on your specific needs and preferences.single bevel knives are ideal for precise cutting tasks, such as slicing raw fish for sushi or sashimi, or peeling and shaping vegetables in japanese cuisine. they offer more control and precision in cutting, but require more skill and experience to use effectively.in conclusion, both single bevel and double bevel knives have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, and the better choice depends on what type of tasks you will be using the knife for and your level of skill and experience. a single bevel knife may be the better choice if you're looking for a specialized tool for a specific task. a double bevel knife is probably a better option if you need a versatile, all-purpose knife.