Kamikoto Knives Review

Japan is known for producing some of the finest blades. Whether you’re a katana enthusiast or professional chef, chances are the Japanese blades are your go-to choices. Kamikoto Knives are no exception. And thus, we were excited to finally get a review sample to try out. We’ve reviewed many high-end chef knives and Kamikoto easily stands out in terms of presentation.

The gorgeous presentation makes the Kamikoto knife set an ideal gift, a luxury one at that. In this review, we’re going to take a closer look at the Kenpeki knife set, what it has to offer, and ultimately is it worth the current retail price of $265 USD.

What are Kamikoto Knives?

The engineers behind Kamikoto aim to offer blades that can last a lifetime. They want it to be appreciated by chefs, knives enthusiasts, and even the home cooks. According to makers, Japanese blade experts were consulted in the engineering of the blades in order to create a knife that’s well balanced and can be passed down to the next generation.

To the folks at Kamikoto, knives are more than just tools. They’re a symbol of tradition and heritage. Each knife set comes with a certificate of authenticity verify that it’s the real deal.

It takes 19 steps to engineer a Kamikoto Knife. That’s impressive considering many other knives at this level only utilize 5 steps to create. That’s a significant difference and shows just the level of care and detail that goes into each blade. Holding any of the blades from the set in your hand, you can feel the weight. Even the smallest blade has a significant density to it. The blades aren’t heavy to wield, but they do have a density to them that makes them feel great in your hand.

Kanpeki Knife Set Review 

The Kanpeki knife set came in a beautifully finished wooden box with a metal latch. Upon opening, the lid opens only and remains upright, revealing the contrasting blades inside. The Kamikoto logo is proudly burnt into the lid.

The Vegetable Knife 

Kamikoto Nakiri vegetable knife is 7 inches long and resembles a mini-meat cleaver. The knife is sharpened only on one side, the other side is completely flat, which is common for Japanese blades. The blade isn’t particularly thick, but it’s rigid and didn’t show any flexing when we try to bend it.

Chopping vegetables was a breeze. From tomatoes, onions, potatoes, to bell peppers, it was easy to use and maneuver. The blade is ridiculously sharp and has to be handle with care, otherwise, you won’t just get a slight knick.

The Slicing Knife

This long Santoku knife is your all-purpose knife. It’s 8.5 inches long, insanely sharp, and has enough weight on it to make preparing a wide variety of food a breeze. We had no trouble using the Santoku to prepare fish, chop chicken (with bones), and even thinly sliced ham with it. The flat back makes it super easy to chop thin slices of anything with the Santoku.

One thing to consider is that this is specifically for right-handed folks because of the flat side. You can still use the knife as a left-hander, however you’ll have a harder time making thin slices.

After a week of using the Santoku, it easily became our favorite in the kitchen. Everything from preparation, chopping, and slicing, my hand always subconsciously grabbed the Santoku. It’s such a versatile blade and feels so well balanced in your hand, unlike any other blades we’ve handled.

The Utility Knife

This is a 5-inch utility knife included in the set is great for peeling apples and carving fruits by hand. It feels like a miniature Santoku, which is a great thing. It’s a useful knife for when you just need to quickly chop some scallions or prepare fruits.

Razor-Sharp Blade

Kamikoto knives are made from high-carbon steel. They’re very sharp, maintain their single-beveled edge well and are fairly easy to re-sharpen with a whetstone. Even with regular and repeated use, the blade remained sharp after two weeks of daily usage. You probably only need to sharpen these blades once or twice a year.

Perfect Weight and Right Design 

One of the things that we appreciated most about this set is the sizes of the blades. They’re not oversized or overweight. Everything about them feels just right. Just these three knives can prove to be versatile enough for most of your cooking needs.

Low Maintenance

Don’t like maintenance? Neither do we. The high-carbon steel combined with end-to-end finish makes every knife in this set ideal for daily and constant use. There’s no little cracks or tiny crevices that chopped food can creep into. Kimokoto knives aren’t “easy” to maintain. But like any high-end knives you’ll ever own, they require a bit of care and attention to maintain their integrity.  

What are the Drawbacks of Kamikoto Knives?

Kamikoto knives are fantastic, however, they too have their flaws.

Not Dishwasher Safe

This knife set is not dishwashing safe. If you place it in a dishwasher, there is a chance that it will rub against other knives and cutlery. That can essentially damage both the blades and handles. We recommend that you wash it by hand to further lengthen the blade’s sharpness.

However, keep in mind this isn’t atypical. Most high-end knives aren’t dishwasher safe.

More Expensive than Regular Kitchen Knives 

At $265 a set, they’re not cheap. Make no mistake, this is a high-end near-luxury item aimed at those who understand it’s value. If you’re budget conscious, skip Kamikoto altogether. However, if you plan on impressing guests or improving your kitchen performances, then you can justify the price.

Fortunately, there are a lot of discounts for Kamikoto Knives online. You better take advantage of those instead of paying for the regular price. 

Are Kamikoto Knives Worth Your Money? 

This Kanpeki knife set is currently listed for $265.It’s a great value if you’re someone who cooks frequently or has an affinity for well-engineered products. All the knives in this set are insanely sharp, well made, well balanced, and have a great weight to them. You don’t need to be a professional chef to appreciate a good set of knives. If you’re an amateur chef like myself, these knives will take your cooking to the next level. And for that, it’s well worth the price.