Nigara Nakiri STRIX Damascus Tsuchime 165mm

⭐ Chosen by Sharp Knives Malta

Selected for cooks who want one of Japan's most advanced knife steels paired with over a century of traditional blacksmithing expertise.

Traditional Craftsmanship Meets Modern Japanese Steel

Handcrafted by Nigara Hamono in Aomori, Japan, this Nakiri represents more than 100 years of Japanese blade-making tradition. Founded in 1907, Nigara has built its reputation by combining time-honoured forging techniques with some of the most advanced steels available today.

The result is a knife that feels every bit as refined as it looks—delivering exceptional cutting performance while showcasing the craftsmanship for which Nigara is known worldwide.

Who This Knife Is For

Perfect for:

• Serious home cooks who prepare vegetables regularly
• Professional chefs seeking exceptional edge retention
• Enthusiasts looking to experience premium powder steel
• Collectors who appreciate traditional Japanese craftsmanship

Why You'll Love It

Nakiri with Enhanced Precision

The Nakiri is Japan's dedicated vegetable knife, designed for fast, clean, and effortless chopping.

This modern interpretation features a subtly angled tip that adds extra versatility, making it equally capable of:

• precision herb work
• garlic preparation
• fine vegetable slicing
• detailed cutting tasks

It delivers the speed of a traditional Nakiri with the precision of a Bunka-inspired tip.

STRIX Powder Steel

At the heart of the blade lies STRIX powder metallurgy steel, developed by Takefu Special Steel—the renowned manufacturer behind VG-10.

Hardened to approximately 65 HRC, STRIX offers:

• exceptional sharpness
• remarkable edge retention
• excellent wear resistance
• outstanding corrosion resistance
• surprisingly manageable sharpening for such a hard steel

It combines the cutting performance of premium carbon steel with the convenience of stainless steel, making it one of Japan's most exciting modern knife steels.

Damascus Cladding with Tsuchime Finish

The STRIX core is protected by stainless Damascus cladding and finished with a traditional Tsuchime (hammered) texture.

This construction:

• reinforces the cutting core
• improves overall durability
• helps reduce food sticking
• creates the beautiful flowing Damascus pattern unique to every knife

The result is a blade that performs as beautifully as it looks.

Rosewood Wa Handle

The traditional octagonal handle is crafted from rosewood and finished with a polished buffalo horn ferrule.

It provides:

• excellent balance
• lightweight control
• comfortable grip during long prep sessions
• moisture resistance and long-term durability

Suitable for both left- and right-handed users.

Important Care Advice

Although STRIX is highly corrosion resistant, this is still a very hard, thin Japanese knife designed for precision cutting.

Avoid cutting:

• bones
• frozen foods
• very hard ingredients

Using the knife correctly will preserve its exceptional edge for years.

Specifications

Brand: Nigara Hamono

Knife Type: Nakiri

Blade Length: 165 mm

Steel: STRIX Powder Steel Core

Hardness: Approximately 65 HRC

Construction: Stainless Damascus Clad

Finish: Tsuchime (Hammered)

Handle: Octagonal Rosewood with Buffalo Horn Ferrule

Origin: Aomori, Japan

Complete Your Setup

Pair it with:

• HASEGAWA Professional Cutting Board
• Japanese Whetstone (1000 / 3000 grit)
• Diamond Flattening Plate
• Magnetic Knife Holder

Why We Like This Knife

At Sharp Knives Malta, we appreciate knives that push performance forward without losing sight of traditional craftsmanship. The Nigara STRIX Nakiri combines one of Japan's most advanced powder steels with the expertise of a historic blacksmith, creating a knife that is as capable as it is beautiful.

Final Word

The Nigara Nakiri STRIX Damascus Tsuchime 165mm is more than a vegetable knife—it's a showcase of what modern Japanese knife making can achieve. Combining advanced metallurgy, traditional craftsmanship, and refined cutting performance, it's a knife built to satisfy even the most demanding cooks.

Historic craftsmanship. Modern steel. Exceptional performance.