The best kitchen knives in the world come from Japan and Germany. This may be surprising to some people, but these countries have been making extremely high-quality blades for centuries. The Japanese are known for their Wa-Bocho (traditional) style of kitchen knives which are made with a single piece of steel that is ground down to form the blade, among others. German knives, on the other hand, are different because they are made and sharpened at a different angle to German knives. Let’s look at them in a bit more detail.
Japanese kitchen knives
The best Japanese knives are made in the city of Sakai, which is located in Osaka Prefecture. The knives are constructed using a method called San-Mai (three-layer). This involves sandwiching carbon steel between two layers of softer alloy to make them more durable and less likely to snap when used on hard ingredients like bones or frozen meat.
Sakai, Japan
There are quite a few brands of knives made in Sakai, but the most well-known ones include Ashi Hamono (ASHI), Misono (MISONO), and Masamoto. It is important to note that these companies produce kitchen knives for restaurants as well as household use so they will not be cheap. However, the quality of these blades is second to none.
German kitchen knives
German knives are often constructed slightly differently from Japanese knives. They have a bevel on both sides of the blade, which is sharpened at an angle that differs from Japanese blades – sometimes as much as 20 degrees. The best brand of kitchen knives from Germany is Wusthof.
Wusthof knives
The best Wusthof knives are made using traditional methods. This is why they cost more than many other brands, but their quality is up there with the best.
Should you pick German or Japanese kitchen knives?
You should pick Japanese knives if you use your knife regularly and need it to be very durable. Japanese knives are better for people who like to cook in a traditional style and enjoy cooking foods like sushi or sashimi.
You should pick German knives if you want a heavy, sturdy blade that is well balanced and easy to handle. German knives are a variation of the classic European style of knives that includes French knives. That means if you are looking to do any classic Western cooking then German knives would be best for you.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a high-quality kitchen knife, then the best place to start is with Japan and Germany. Both countries have been producing quality knives for centuries and there are plenty of options available depending on your needs.
Despite different construction methods and blade angles, both Japanese knives and German knives are of high quality. Once you decide on which style suits your needs best then it is time to choose a brand. Luckily for buyers, there are plenty of options available from brands like ASHI Hamono, Misono, Masamoto, and Wusthof.
