Yaxell Nakiri knife Zen 16.5 cm - 37-ply stainless damascus steel - canvas Micarta handle

Forget the hassle of an awkward knife that crushes vegetables instead of cutting them: with the Yaxell Zen Nakiri Knife 16.5 cm, you prepare vegetables, fruit, and herbs with a precision that will change your cooking experience forever. This is the knife that will finally make you understand why Japanese chefs love their tools so much.

Why this Nakiri knife is a gamechanger in your kitchen

A Nakiri knife is no ordinary vegetable knife. In Japanese culinary tradition, it is the undisputed specialist: the tall, straight blade allows for cutting straight down without your fruit or vegetables sliding away. Every carrot, every zucchini, every bunch of herbs—you cut them with a smoothness you will never achieve with a standard knife. And with the Zen collection from Yaxell, you get all of this in a knife that also looks beautiful on your countertop. High blade for perfect control - The height of the blade safely guides your knuckles during cutting, allowing you to work faster, safer, and more precisely.

• 37-ply stainless Damascus steel - The Damascus structure not only provides a stunning appearance but also exceptional sharpness and long-lasting durability.
• 60-62 HRC hardness - This is professional level. The steel hardness means the cutting edge stays sharp for a long time and dulls less quickly with normal use.
• Canvas Micarta handle - The sturdy, ergonomic handle feels instantly familiar in the hand: no slippery grip, no fatigue after long cutting sessions. Just work.
• Made in Japan - Yaxell has been producing in Seki, the knife city of Japan, for generations. You can taste that craftsmanship—literally—in every dish you prepare.
• 350 gram balanced weight—Not too heavy, not too light. Just right for applying controlled force without tiring your wrist. Damascus steel: ancient craftsmanship, modern sharpness

The blade of this Nakiri knife consists of 37 layers of stainless Damascus steel, centered around a hard core of VG-10 steel. That layered construction is not a gimmick for show—it is the reason why this knife stays sharp for so long while remaining flexible enough not to break. The characteristic Damascus patterns on the blade are the result of that forging process: as a result, every knife is unique. You are cutting with a tool made by hand and with care, in the tradition of Japanese craftsmanship that has existed for centuries.

With a hardness of 60-62 HRC, this knife sits firmly in the professional segment. That means a longer cutting edge, less frequent sharpening required, and a knife that proves itself in the kitchen—day after day, meal after meal. That is exactly the quality Cookinglife refers to: not the most expensive for show, but the best for practical use.

The Nakiri knife: your new favorite for vegetables and more

Imagine this: a Sunday mise-en-place where you effortlessly slice fennel into thin slices, divide a whole cabbage into equal strips, and finely chop a bunch of parsley in no time. The high blade of the Zen Nakiri knife provides the perfect grip for this—your knuckles rest safely against the knife while you work quickly and rhythmically. No spilled fingers, no uneven pieces. Just tasty results on your cutting board.

The canvas Micarta handle adds another dimension to this. Micarta is a composite material that offers grip even with damp hands, does not age, and does not expand or contract with temperature changes. After years of intensive use, the handle looks just as good as on day one. This is the kind of knife you pass down to your children, not one you replace after two years.

💡 Tip: Use the Yaxell Zen Nakirimes for the finest julienne of cucumber or carrot. Thanks to the high blade, you can make lightning-fast, even strokes—from coarse to flunn thin in just a few minutes. Serve as a garnish, and your guests will immediately ask you how you do it.

Maintenance: how to keep this knife in top condition

A knife of this quality deserves good care—and fortunately, that is simple. Rinse the Yaxell Zen Nakiri knife by hand after use, dry it immediately, and store it in a knife block or on a magnetic strip. Do you use it on a wooden or plastic cutting board? Then you treat the blade gently, and the cutting edge will remain intact longer. Avoid the dishwasher: the aggressive detergents and heat will eventually damage the steel and the handle. Hand washing takes ten seconds, and your knife will last for decades longer.

Do you want to sharpen the blade occasionally? Use a fine sharpening stone (wetstone) or a Japanese sharpening handle with a fine grit. With a good sharpening routine—a few times a year—this knife always cuts as if it were new yesterday.

Specifications

• Collection: Zen
  
• Type: Nakiri knife
  
• Blade length: 16.5 cm (165 mm)
  
• Material: 37-ply stainless damascus steel with VG-10 core
  
• Hardness: 60-62 HRC
  
• Handle: Canvas Micarta
  
• Color: Black
  
• Weight: 350 grams
  
• Dishwasher safe: No—hand wash recommended
  
• Country of origin: Japan
  
• Brand: Yaxell
  
• In the package
  
• 1 x Yaxell Zen Nakiri knife 16.5 cm

Ready to cut like a pro?

The Yaxell Zen Nakirimes is the knife that takes your kitchen to the next level—not by impressing on the shelf, but by cutting better every day, working cleaner, and enjoying the cooking itself more. Whether you cook for your family daily or occasionally go all out for friends: this is the tool that makes the difference between a chore and a moment to enjoy. Add it to your collection and discover for yourself why Japanese craftsmanship is conquering the world—one cutting motion at a time.