How to Select a Sushi Knife

One of the secrets to making sushi is a good sushi knife. Most of the materials used in making sushi are very delicate. The only way to prevent destroying them when slicing is to have a very sharp sushi knife. Sushi knives are designed specifically for the job. Sushi knives are traditionally only sharpened on one side. This provides a cleaner cut. If you are an expert sushi maker there are different sushi knives for different fish. We will only be covering the basic knife here.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. A high quality sushi knife is traditionally made of high carbon steel. Sushi knives made from Japanese steel are well regarded. If you can afford it purchase a blade from a Japanese manufacturer. The traditional handle is round wood and tapered towards the blade.

2. There are many styles of sushi knives that are for specific jobs. The most commonly used sushi knife for all purpose use is a sashimi knife. It has a long, thin blade. If you are looking to purchase just one sushi knife this would be the one.

3. The price range for sushi knives is enormous. You can buy them from approximately $25 up to over $1000. The knives on the lowest end are poor quality, will not be as sharp, and will not hold their edge. They will not be any more useful to you than a western style knife. Select a price point where you will be comfortable, buy the best that you can afford.

4. A sushi knife must be sharpened on a sharpening stone. You cannot use a mechanical sharpener as they are set up to sharpen both sides of the blade. This will ruin the sushi blade. When you purchase your sushi knife it is a good idea to buy a sharpening stone at the same time.

5. The most important step in selecting sushi knives is to buy from a reputable dealer. The only way to know that you are buying high quality steel or Japanese steel is to buy from a trusted source or to have already researched brands. Korin is very well known as a source to buy from. They also have their own line. A link is provided in the resource section.

Resources

• Korin

[offgrid]

on 1/12/2009 I Luv sushi. Good article. 5 *

[didimay]

on 1/11/2009 Thanks for the tip, didn't know this either.