Collection: Usuba

This Japanese kitchen knife designed for cutting vegetables.

The Usuba knife is one of the most distinctive Japanese knives. The tool was traditionally used for processing vegetables, like cutting them into thin slices. Usuba knives look like small, narrow cleavers. They are also compared to another type of Japanese knife, the Nakiri knife. However, the Usuba has a single bevel that sets it apart. The Usuba knife's high blade is its most important feature. It separates the chef's hand from the cutting board. This reduces the risk of injury while working and makes cutting much more efficient because the person using the knife feels safe.

What's the difference between Usba knives and Nakiri knives?

The Usuba knife looks a lot like the Nakiri knife. The Nakiri blade is designed for vertical cutting. The knife is great for cutting herbs, vegetables, and fruit. You can also use the rectangular blade to transfer chopped pieces of various ingredients. The straight cutting edge is used mostly for cutting things vertically. So how are Usuba and Nakiri blades different? The first Japanese-style knife is thicker and its edge is less sharp because it has only one bevel. Usuba is also great for cutting thin slices or chopping, and even for chopping meat. Its cutting edge is more durable than that of the Nakiri, but you still shouldn't use such knives as cleavers for chopping bones or frozen foods. Both knives are designed for precise work with soft and medium-hard materials.

What does an Usuba look like and what is it used for?

An Usuba is a knife that looks like a small, narrow cleaver. The blade is 10 to 21 centimeters long, but most of the time it is around 160 to 180 millimeters. The blade is rectangular and tall, so you can chop and shred safely, efficiently, and quickly. The Usuba is a strong knife. Its handle fits comfortably in your hand, making it easy to use. The single bevel grind makes sharpening easier. Usually, the Usuba is a knife used to slice, chop, and shred vegetables. You can also use it to transfer ingredients onto the blade. It's hard to imagine preparing vegetable slices for decorative rolling without an Usuba knife. This knife is necessary because it allows you to cut the slices into ultra-thin pieces.

Who needs Usuba-style kitchen knives?

If you want to cut vegetables and fruit into thin slices, chop herbs, or mince meat without using a machine, you need an Usuba knife in your kitchen. The knife blade is best used for cutting and shredding fruits and vegetables, but you can also use it for cutting soft meats or fish into portions. Hard, single-bevel knives are great for cutting things that need to be smooth and not cut. The Usuba knife is sharp and its handle and blade are well-made. This knife is easy to use. Japanese knives are made with durable steel that doesn't need to be sharpened often. This means you can use it for a long time.

Our store has many different Japanese kitchen knives. The available blade lengths are mainly 18, 16.5, and 21 centimeters. The handle is usually made of solid or compressed wood, which is very strong and nice to the touch. Usuba blades are made of hard, wear-resistant materials, such as carbon steel or Damascus steel. This means you can use the knives for a long time without having to polish the edge often. You can adjust the blade length and handle material to your needs, based on the size of your hand and the ingredients you plan to use. This type of knife should not tire your hand, so the handle must provide a comfortable grip.
This Japanese kitchen knife is designed for cutting and peeling vegetables and fruit. The straight cutting edge is best used for cutting things vertically. You can use it to make julienne or chiffonade cuts. The blade length is usually 11-15 centimeters (cm) or 16-19 centimeters. The "Usuba knives" category includes special kitchen tools that help you cut ingredients more precisely. Our Tazaki knife is unique. It is made of stainless steel, which makes it perfect for chopping raw meat and cutting through lobster shells. There are also other kitchen cleavers, which are knives that are perfect for any kitchen. Invest in quality and precision – discover our range of usuba knives.