Japanese knives can be a great addition to a home kitchen. Use them to slice, dice, chop, and mince, making quick work of kitchen prep tasks. Japanese knives are known for their thin and lightweight designs, and they usually have a straighter edger that is suited for chopping and making clean slices. Kamikoto is a manufacturer of high-end Japanese knives that perform well in the kitchen and are elegantly designed. Our Kamikoto knife review examines how this upscale knife line compares with other Japanese knives.
What Is the Kamikoto Knife?
Kamikoto is a Japanese company that manufactures knives in China. The knives are handmade to exacting standards and have blades made of steel from Honshu, Japan. Although they tend to be heavier and therefore don’t fit the strict definition of a Japanese knife, Kamikoto knives are well-balanced and sharp.
Because of their striking aesthetic, these knives are sometimes used as display pieces or given as gifts. In fact, Kamikoto knives come with a display stand and an ash wood holding box. Although they tend to be among the priciest Japanese knives, our Kamikoto knife review found that Kamikoto knives are worth the expense for certain buyers.
Kamikoto Knife Review: Product Specs
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A number of different specifications set Kamikoto knives apart and make them comfortable and easy to work with. The overall design, the quality of the steel used, and the balance of Kamikoto knives makes them distinctive.
The Kamikoto Santoku Chef Knife is a high-end knife constructed out of steel from Honshu, Japan. The 7-inch blade on this knife is well balanced, stays sharp with routine maintenance, and performs well in the kitchen. Our Kamikoto knife review found that this elegantly designed knife also makes an impressive showpiece when displayed in the kitchen. The Kamikoto Santoku Chef Knife even comes with its own display stand as well as an ash wood holding box. This knife also makes a great gift.
How Durable Is the Steel in a Kamikoto Knife?
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Our Kamikoto knife review found that the steel in these knives is highly durable. The blades on these knives are durable enough to stand up to a wide range of kitchen uses, and they will stay sharp with occasional maintenance. One of the most important factors to look for when selecting a high-quality kitchen knife is a high-carbon forged blade that will hold an edge well, and Kamikoto knives check that box.
Why Don’t Kamikoto Knives Fit the Strict Definition of a Japanese Knife?
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In general, Japanese knives are known for being super sharp and lightweight. They also tend to have blades that are straighter and more narrow than a traditional chef’s knife. Kamikoto knives, by comparison, are heavier. The blade of the Kamikoto Santoku, for example, is thicker with a curved belly. Although they have slightly different characteristics, our Kamikoto knife review still classifies these knives as Japanese.
What Type of Care and Maintenance Do Kamikoto Knives Require?
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These knives are pretty sharp right out of the box, and our Kamikoto knife review found that they need to be sharpened occasionally in order to keep performing well. Home chefs can sharpen these knives themselves with whetstones, or you can have the sharpening done at a local knife store. Although they are not dishwasher safe, Kamikoto knives are easy to clean and care for.
Why Is Balance Important in a Knife?
A knife is balanced if it doesn’t feel uncomfortably weighted toward the front or back of the blade. When you press down on the blade, it should feel stable and shouldn’t teeter to one side or the other. Our Kamikoto knife review found that these utensils tend to be well balanced, which is good because balanced knives mean the home chef doesn’t have to work as hard when chopping and slicing.
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How It Compares
We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.
- Yoshihiro Santoku Knife
- Dalsrong Shogun Series Chef Knife
- Shun Premier Santoku Knife
Kamikoto Santoku Chef Knife
Ease of Use
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Although it is heavier than most other knives, the Kamikoto Santoku Chef Knife is well-balanced and easy to use. Because the blade is made from steel that resists corrosion, our Kamikoto knife review found that this kitchen utensil is also easy to clean and maintain.
Construction Quality
The Kamikoto Santoku Chef Knife’s blade is handmade out of steel from Honshu, Japan. The handle is solid black.
Design Quality
The elegantly designed Kamikoto Santoku Chef Knife has a 7-inch blade is thick with a curved belly. Our Kamikoto knife review found that this single-bevel knife is thicker and heavier than traditional Japanese knives.
Warranty
The Kamikoto Santoku Chef Knife comes with a limited lifetime guarantee.
Pros
- Elegant design
- Durable
- Well-balanced
- Handmade
- Comes with display stand and ash wood box
Cons
- Not a traditional Japanese-style knife
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Not dishwasher safe
Yoshihiro Santoku Knife
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The Yoshihiro Santoku Knife is a traditional Japanese multi-purpose chef’s knife that is designed for dicing, slicing, and other tasks in the home kitchen. The elegant 7-inch blade is constructed out of Japanese stainless steel and Damascus steel. The hammered exterior of the blade is both stylish and designed to keep food from sticking. This handmade knife has a full tang, meaning the blade extends all the way through the handle, building in strength and balance.
Ease of Use
The Yoshihiro Santoku Knife is a well-balanced and easy-to-use knife. This knife capably performs a range of kitchen tasks, from slicing and dicing to chopping and mincing.
Construction Quality
The Yoshihiro Santoku Knife has a blade made of Japanese stainless steel that is coated with Damascus steel. Coated knives are somewhat less durable than knives made of a solid piece of steel. The mahogany handle is smooth and easy to hold.
Design Quality
A unique design feature of this knife is the 7-inch blade, which has a hammered exterior that is stylish and keeps food from sticking. The blade is also stain- and rust-resistant. The Yoshihiro Santoku Knife has a full tang, meaning the blade extends fully through the center of handle, a feature that builds in strength and balance.
Warranty
The Yoshihiro Santoku Knife comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Stain and rust resistant
- Durable
- Mahogany handle
- Handmade
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe
- Expensive
Dalstrong Shogun Series Chef Knife
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The Dalstrong Shogun Series Chef Knife is a sturdy and ultra-sharp knife that is comfortable to use and grip. The 7-inch blade is made out of Japanese steel that is coated with Damascus steel. This knife is well balanced and aesthetically pleasing.
Ease of Use
The Dalstrong Shogun Series Chef Knife has a tapered blade that minimizes resistance, making it easy to make smooth cuts with ease. This knife is also easy to clean and maintain.
Construction Quality
The Dalstrong Shogun Series Chef Knife has a blade made out of Japanese steel that is then coated with Damascus steel. It has a non-slip ergonomic handle.
Design Quality
The Dalstrong Shogun Series Chef Knife is designed to be ultra-sharp and well-balanced. The 7-inch blade has an 8 to 12-degree angle; much sharper than the 25-degree angle many knives are sharpened to. This knife also has a full tang, meaning the blade extends all the way through the handle, building in strength and balance.
Warranty
The Dalstrong Shogun Series Chef Knife comes with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Ultra sharp
- Easy to clean
- Ergonomic handle
- Durable
Cons
- Expensive
Shun Premier Santoku Knife
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The Shun Premier Santoku Knife, made out of Japanese stainless steel and Damascus steel, is a durable and practical knife that performs a range of kitchen tasks. The 7-inch blade has a hammered exterior designed to prevent foods from sticking and a contoured wooden handle that’s comfortable to grip. This versatile knife is elegant enough to display and also makes a great gift.
Ease of Use
The ultra-sharp Shun Premier Santoku Knife makes quick work of kitchen tasks like slicing, chopping, and dicing. The hammered exterior of the 7-inch steel blade prevents foods from sticking.
Construction Quality
The Shun Premier Santoku Knife has a blade made out of Japanese steel that is coated with Damascus steel. It has a contoured wood handle that is comfortable to hold.
Design Quality
The Shun Premier Santoku Knife is designed to be ultra-sharp and well-balanced. The 7-inch blade has a 16-degree angle, which is much sharper than the 25-degree angle most knifes are sharpened to.
Warranty
The Shun Premier Santoku Knife has a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Ultra sharp
- Sturdy steel blade
- Contoured wood handle
- Easy to clean
- Durable
Cons
- Expensive
Kamikoto Knife Review Conclusion
There’s a lot to like about the Kamikoto Santoku Chef Knife. Our Kamikoto knife review found this to be a successful performer in the kitchen. The 7-inch blade, made out of steel from Honshu, Japan, is thick, well-balanced and stays sharp. This knife is also a showpiece that can be displayed in a home kitchen or given as an elegant gift. The knife even comes with its own display stand and ash wood holding box.
