Dalstrong Full Tang Traditional Nakiri Knife, 6-Inch

Last updated: January 4, 2023


This nakiri knife is a powerhouse that makes a statement. The traditional Japanese-style hand-polished black Spanish pakkawood handle offers control as well as elegance. The full-tang blade is forged from a single-piece of high-carbon steel, which has been hand-polished and engraved for added beauty. In our testing, we liked that it came with a sheath and that the front end of the blade was slightly curved, which made it easier to chop with.

Dalstrong Full Tang Traditional Nakiri Knife, 6-Inch

We looked at the top Nakiri Knives and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Nakiri Knife you should buy.

Product Details

Key Takeaway: This nakiri knife offers elegance and power combined in one knife.

In our analysis of 32 expert reviews, the Dalstrong Full Tang Traditional Nakiri Knife, 6-Inch placed 8th when we looked at the top 15 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.

From The Manufacturer

Maximum Performance. Zero Compromises. At The Cutting Edge of Beauty and Performance The Dalstrong Phantom Series 6” Nakiri. Carefully designed to convey a look of stealthy motion, like a shadow racing through the dark, or a gust of wind blowing through the night, the Phantom Series of knives are elegant, agile and ruthless culinary instruments of exceptional performance. The Nakiri is a favorite among Asian knives for its proficiency, and is essential for any chefs who find themselves prepping vegetables in bulk. Precision forged from a single piece of ice tempered AUS-8 steel, the blade’s straight edge, spine and nose, make it a push-cut specialist, while the wider blades assists in scooping up food for transfer. Improving this blade further are it’s own unique rock-hollow divots, which minimize stuck on food and reduce friction. With a traditional Japanese D-shaped black pakkawood handle designed to tuck perfectly in the palm of your hand. Near the bolster a distinct red spacer and carefully crafted mosaic of copper and brass ensures adds elegance and refinement. A hand-polished end cap creates counter balance, ensuring the nimble blade feels more like a ghostly extension of your body, than an ordinary kitchen tool. A premium-quality polymer Dalstrong DragonLock saya (sheath) folds shut perfectly over the blade, locking into place. A soft suede like interior protects every square inch. ​ Included 6” Phantom Series Nakiri DragonLock Dalstrong Sheath Neatly Packed with Dalstrong’s Renowned Packaging The Art of Steel. FEATURES AND BENEFITS The Phantom Series Blade ✓ Precision forged blade with premium Japanese AUS-8 at 58 HRC ✓High levels of chromium (Cr) added to steel for stain resistance ✓ Full tang for incredible robustness and quality ✓Ice-tempered blade ensures excellent resilience and superior edge retention ✓Ruthlessly sharp scalpel like edge is hand finished to a mirror polish within a staggering 13-15° ✓Tapered blade design for durability and flexibility ✓Polished spine to facilitate a comfortable pinch grip ✓Beautiful hand polished satin finish blade, further refined with detailed engravings ✓ Precisely tapered blade minimizes surface resistance for buttery smooth cut through. ✓ Cleans easily for low maintenance ✓Minimal sized mirror polished bolster further perfects the carefully engineered balance and gently encourages a comfortable and proper pinch grip ✓ Blade’s spine is hand polished to a smooth finish for enhanced pinch grip comfort The Phantom Series Handle ✓ Stainless steel hand-polished end cap adds counter balance and distinction ✓ Premium quality laminated pakkawood handles imported from Spain, for superior strength, refinement, and beauty. Sanitary build perfect for busy kitchens ✓ Attractive red spacer adds distinction ✓ Carefully crafted brass and copper ‘phantom spirit’ mosaic adorns the handle ✓ Traditional Japanese D-shaped handle designed to tuck into the palm of your hand for superior hand control, comfort and agility. The Phantom Series Sheath Included with every Phantom Series blade is a matching Phantom Series DragonLock saya (sheath) that folds shut perfectly over the blade, locking into place. A soft suede like interior protects every square inch. ​ Ensuring your investment and your fingers are protected. Knives To Build A Career On. A Community Of Chefs To Belong To. Over Seventy-Five Thousand Chefs Have Switched to Dalstrong From executive chefs to home chefs and everyone in between, Dalstrong Chefs are treated like family. Over seventy-five thousand chefs have switched to Dalstrong for our superior quality, unconditional support, and loyal community. It may be cliche, but we truly care about you and the blades and products we painstakingly design and develop. From the tinest packaging detail, to hundreds of hours of design and testing, each knife is a work of love, dedication and expert craftsmanship. Dalstrong supports you, our chefs, everyday and in every way we can. Your Dalstrong knives work alongside you, day in and day out, making you more effective, creative, and precise in the kitchen; delivering plates you can feel proud to present. These are knives to build a career on, and tens of thousands of professional chefs have done just that. From cooking competitions (Dalstrong supports chefs across the country building their reputation), to charitable events (we donate knives to those in need with culinary aspirations), Dalstrong loves the community, loves chefs, and the men and women who prepare food for us all each and everyday. From the heat of the professional kitchen to a simple meal for one, Dalstrong stands beside you every step of the way. #dalstrong The Dalstrong Difference. Dalstrong Is Out To Turn An Old Industry On Its Head We love cooking. We love design and craftsmanship. Most of all though, we love bringing a feeling of pure satisfaction to chefs around the world who use our tools day in and day out. Whether you’re a hobbyist or pro, our aim is to enhance the experience of your culinary creation. Dalstrong is the new guy on the block. From a foundation of love and respect for an ancient craft, we layer on modern thinking and methods to create beautiful and innovative knives at far greater value than traditional brands. Don’t just take our word for it; look what others are saying, across the web, social media and in professional kitchens around the country. Our goal is to stir up a stodgy old industry with tools chefs love and trust, with innovative design and improvements. And as a company, we’re out to build life-long relationships with exceptional products and exceptional attention to your individual needs as a chef and customer. Come cook with us. Like you, we strive for greatness every day.

Our Expert Consultant

Julie Chernoff
Culinary Expert

Julie Chernoff is a long-time member of Les Dames d’Escoffier (past president of the Chicago Chapter, and current co-chair of the LDEI Legacy Awards Committee), the Association of Food Journalists (AFJ) and the International Association of Culinary Professionals.

Chernoff is the dining editor of Better, a lifestyle website and print magazine. Her journalism started in the test kitchens of Weight Watchers Magazine. She holds a BA in English from Yale University and is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy. She has spent the last few decades styling, photographing, teaching, developing recipes, editing, thinking and writing about food.

Expert Reviews


What reviewers liked

Crafted for minimal push and pull, this blade cuts precisely as it boasts strength, durability and edge retention. Plus, the knife looks beautiful since the blade is equipped with hand polished spine and ergonomic bolster shape.
The blade is then honed by experts to a 13-15 degrees edge and then nitrogen cooled, the process works to make the blade flexibility, corrosion resistant and strong.
Its hardness rating of HRC 58+ makes it durable with sharpness and edge retention.
The extremely sharp liquid nitrogen cooled blade is made from high-carbon AUS-8 Japanese steel.
Premium quality laminated pakkawood handles from Spain, for superior strength, refinement, and beauty.

What reviewers didn't like

Handle is not much comfortable for some people
It exceptionally small and not an everyday knife for doing ordinary kitchen cutting tasks
Handle a little too long
The lightweight design makes it easy to wield, though the ergonomic handle does not fit well in some people’s hands.
View our Nakiri Knife buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.

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