Whatever your reasons for wanting to buy a high-grade set of knives may be? Nearly all of us know that there’s one place in the world that has an indisputable reputation for making them well. Therefore, in this review, we’re delving into the world of Japanese knives, which are famous for their superior quality, and show value!
Specifically, we’ll be reviewing three high quality handcrafted Kamikoto knife sets, to see if they’ll fit your particular needs.
Whether you want a new set of knives for practical use in the kitchen or for display purposes, the quality is assured with these Honshu steel blades.
Usually heavier than the average Japanese blade, Kamikoto knives are renowned around the world. Yet there are many other high-end Japanese knives available on the market – so why choose a Kamikoto knife?
A brief look into the history of the Kamikoto knife brand
For centuries the island of Honshu and specifically the city of Niigata have had an illustrious heritage of metalworking, dating back to the Edo period! Kamikoto became a part of this industry of blacksmiths and metal workers, and continue their craft to this day.
Distinctive Japanese craftsmanship…
What’s special about Japanese blades is that they are forged to have distinctive patterns and high-grade qualities. There is a noticeable contrast between inferior metal works, from other regions in the world – Kamikoto claims no exception to this.
Before the Kamikoto family company formed in 1908, they had a history of forging Samurai swords or Katana blades as they are known. They even made steel blades for the Japanese navy at one time!
Over time, the making of Kamikoto crafted products has adapted to the demands of different generations. They began to diversify from sword making into knife making. Eventually, they had one sole aim of developing a single bevel steel blade knife, using their traditional craft techniques.
A world-renowned knife brand
Now, the Kamikoto brand is well-known for their sharp, corrosion resistant and highly durable kitchen knives. They source their steel from the island of Honshu in Japan. Then the handcrafting of the knives is carried out in China by master knife makers.
Kamikoto went out to seek advice from the counsel of Japanese blade experts, as well as reputable Japanese bladesmiths. The result was, that they developed knives that are now appreciated by some of the best cooks in the world. As well as by knife enthusiasts.
It’s worth mentioning that the Chinese district of Yanjiang where they make the Kamikoto blades has a strong heritage of blade making, dating back to the Edo period as well.
An ancient craft taken into the 21st century…
Kamikoto takes great pride in retaining the skills of an ancient craft and applying their knowledge into the making of their high-quality knives. Plus they make sure to select their materials from carefully chosen steel mills, for maximum quality in their finished products.
Refined through the generations, the process of making their beautiful blades continually improves through their craftsmen’s persistence for excellence. In fact, each knife will undergo a 19 step process before they are ready for use!
Only a select group of master craftsmen are employed to forge Kamikoto knives with passed down expertise. The result is a final product being of enviable quality.
And what’s more, each knife is made for a specific purpose, as Japanese culture dictates. One knife will be made just for vegetables, while another is ideal for sashimi, for example. It’s even thought that the way you cut your food can affect the flavor of a particular dish!
So now we know a little bit more about the heritage and quality of Kamikoto knives, let’s slice deeper into what they have on offer today…
The Best Kamikoto Knives Reviews
1. Kamikoto Kanpeki Knife Set
A natural selection.
First up we have a three-piece knife set which comes in a lightly colored and nature-inspired ash wood box. If your kitchen has a more earthy feel to it, then these might just fit in quite nicely.
Made from superior quality Honshu steel, this elegantly simple knife set can be a pleasure to use with sushi preparation. Although these knives, of course, can be used for all forms cutting and chopping with pleasant ease.
Add a fine set of knives to your collection…
Included in this set is an 8.5-inch slicing knife, a 7-inch Nakiri vegetable knife, and a 5-inch utility knife. All the handles and blades are coated with a satin finish, making for an upscale and collection worthy knife set.
Owning just a simple set of Kamikoto knives, such as this Kanpeki set, will elevate your food preparation experience for years to come. These knives are highly durable and easily retain their sharpness with minimal maintenance.
Precision balanced blades…
What’s special about these knives is that they are precisely balanced and weighted, allowing you to cut, chop and slice very fluidly and easily. As well, with good weight to a knife, you’ll be saving yourself strenuous effort – this is great if you work long hours in the kitchen!
And as you’d expect, these Kamikoto blades will stand the test of time as they are corrosion resistant.
Pros
Cons
2.Kamikoto 7in. Santoku Chef Knife
Next up, we have a general purpose kitchen knife form Kamikoto. This knife is made to be flexible for all types of food preparation. Therefore, if you’re looking for a single knife to fulfill all your cutting, chopping, slicing, and even carving needs, this could be a good bet!
The Kamikoto 7 inch Santoku Chef Knife is corrosive resistant and is made by master knife makers with Honshu steel.
A long-lasting knife choice…
With the handle and blade being satin finished, you get superior quality and long lasting knife choice here. A satin finish is different from a polished finish in that it’s less shiny but instead has a more natural looking appearance. And one great benefit of a satin finish is that it won’t show scratches so easily.
Sharpened for right-handed users specifically, this is a single beveled knife design. The knife is also weighted and balanced to make your cutting experience fluid and easy.
As well, take pleasure in knowing that the handle is made from a non-slip material. And it has been created to fit perfectly with the shape of your hand.
Ash wood storage…
Again, like the previous knife set, this blade comes in a light ash wood box. So if you’re a fan of a natural and earthy look in your kitchen, this box will fit nicely.
Pros
Cons
3. Kamikoto – Senshi Dual Knife Set With Wooden Display Stand
Display your Japanese blades with pride…
We move on to this great looking Kamikoto Senshi dual knife set, complemented with a wooden display stand.
If you are using your knives regularly, the convenience of having a wooden stand will give you easy access to your blade of choice. The stand will also allow your knives to dry out quickly with minimal effort. Plus you’ll add an impressive looking feature to your kitchen with your Honshu steel on display.
Food prep made easy…
More specifically, this set includes a 10-inch chef knife and 5.5-inch utility knife. At a minimum, with these two knives, we believe any avid chef will be able to fulfill their food prepping needs with ease.
What’s more, each knife is carefully weighted and balanced differently, to suit differing needs. We think the utility knife is great for smaller cutting tasks, while the chef knife is capable of cutting larger and stronger food types.
Nicely designed…
Like the other knives we have reviewed, these knives are satin finished for long term use. The handles are well designed also, to fit well with your hands as you are cutting or chopping.
Overall, we really like this simple yet effective pair of knives which should have all your food prepping needs sorted for years to come. And if you’re not cooking so much, at least you’ll have a nice showpiece in your kitchen!
Pros
Cons
Conclusion
In conclusion, we’ve really enjoyed exploring a small part of the Kamikoto knife brand, and we’ve found some inspiring knives along the way. It seems that when you buy one of their knives, you’re not just buying a practical instrument, but a piece of Japanese heritage as well.
Ultimately, the craftsmanship and expertise put into your Kamikoto knife blade should serve you well year on year.
