Tips & Advice on Selecting the Right Kansai Knife

Step 1: Identify Your Needs

Ask yourself these questions:

• What do you cook most often? (meats, vegetables, bread, fish, etc.)

• Do you prefer a light, agile knife or a heavier, more robust one?

• Do you value easy maintenance, or are you comfortable with a little more care for premium performance?

• What’s your skill level — beginner, intermediate, or professional?

Your answers will help you narrow down the style and steel that’s right for you.

Knife Types in the Kansai Range and What They’re Best For

The Essential All-Rounders

Gyuto (Chef’s Knife)
The most versatile blade in the kitchen. Great for slicing, chopping, dicing vegetables, meats, and herbs.
Best for: Everyone — from beginner home cooks to professionals.
Recommended series: RYUJIN VG10 for professionals, FUDO Sandvik for value-conscious home cooks.

Santoku (Multipurpose Knife)
A Japanese all-rounder that excels in push cuts and precise slicing. Lighter and more compact than a gyuto.
Best for: Smaller kitchens, cooks who prefer a nimble, balanced knife.
Recommended series: KOTSU VG10, KIYOSHI VG10.

Specialty Knives

Nakiri (Vegetable Knife)
Thin, rectangular blade perfect for chopping vegetables with precision.
Best for: Vegetarian and vegetable-heavy diets.
Recommended series: ZENITH VG10, KAZE VG10.

Cleaver / Chopper
Heavy and robust for breaking through bones and tough cuts.
Best for: Butchers, heavy meat preparation.
Recommended series: KAZE VG10, RYUJIN VG10.

Bunka
A bold, angular blade combining the utility of a santoku with a more aggressive tip for intricate work.
Best for: Adventurous home cooks and professionals.
Recommended series: IKIRU VG10, ZENITH VG10.

Paring Knife
Small and precise, perfect for peeling, trimming, and delicate work.
Best for: Every kitchen needs one.
Recommended series: Any series — KIYOSHI VG10 or FUDO Sandvik for beginners.

Bread Knife
Serrated blade for cutting through crusty bread without crushing it.
Best for: Bakers and bread lovers.
Recommended series: All series include a bread knife.

Step 2: Choose Your Steel

Kansai knives are made with premium steels, each with its own feel and care needs.

VG10 Steel (Most Popular)

• Razor-sharp edge, great corrosion resistance, excellent durability

• Ideal for professionals and serious home cooks

• Found in series: KOTSU, KAZE, RYUJIN, KIYOSHI, ZENITH, HOKUTO

• Maintenance: Hand wash and dry after use

SRS13 Steel (Ultra-Premium)

• Exceptional hardness, edge retention, and toughness

• Found in the Takumi series — recommended for those who want top-tier performance

• Maintenance: Same as VG10, but worth the extra care

Sandvik Steel (Affordable and Reliable)

• Tough and easy to maintain

• Found in the FUDO series — excellent value for beginners

• Maintenance: Very forgiving

AUS-8 Steel (Light and Refined)

• Combines sharpness, easy maintenance, and affordability

• Found in the Yamato series — ideal for everyday use

Step 3: Pick Your Handle

We offer a range of handle materials, each providing a different look and feel.

• Olive Wood (Yamato Series): Elegant and warm in the hand

• Sycamore and Padauk Burl (Shinrai): Unique, luxurious patterning

• Desert Ironwood (Takumi): Durable and visually stunning

• Pakka Wood (Azuma Series): Tough and moisture-resistant

• Classic Wood Block Sets (Kaze, Kotsu, RYUJIN): Beautiful and practical for display and storage

Step 4: Care and Maintenance

Even the finest knife needs care. Follow these guidelines to keep your Kansai knife performing at its best:

• Always hand wash and dry immediately — never use a dishwasher

• Use a wooden or plastic cutting board to protect the edge

• Hone your knife regularly; sharpen as needed

• Store in a knife block or on a magnetic strip to avoid dulling

Who Is Each Kansai Series For?

Final Tips

• If you’re unsure, start with a gyuto — it’s the most versatile blade

• Add specialty knives (nakiri, bunka, bread, cleaver) based on what you cook most

• Invest in a good block set if you want an instant upgrade to your kitchen

• Take pride in caring for your knife — it’s a lifelong tool

Need More Help?

Contact our team anytime — we’re happy to recommend the right knife or set for your needs.
Email us at [your email] or chat with us live.