Top Left-Handed Japanese Chef Knives 2024 Reviews

A very little population is left-handed in the world. While making knives we often ignore this population. Approximately 12-17% of the world’s population is left handed. While preparing food and cooking people usually find agility. Finding custom equipment and muscle control is also important. While choosing a chef knife you also want to find an option for left handed persons. Here’s an exceptional list of best knives for left handers. 

What is the Difference Between Left and Right-Handed Knives?

We usually cut from the right side while using a chef knife. This means the left side of the blade is supposed to be flat. So the sharpened right side can deliver a quality cut at a steep angle. This means left handers can not get the cut they want because the blade is not appropriate for them. This type of blade is usually designed for right handed persons. 

Double Bevel

A double bevel blade has sharpened edges on both sides of the blade. This is suitable for any hand. It enables users with any hand preference to get a quality cut. Because there is not a flat side. It looks like a “v” edge cutting through your ingredients. 

Single Bevel

A single bevel is different. It is designed for one handed. Only one side of the blade has been sharpened. The other side of the blade is flat. If that flat side is on the traditional left side, you will not have a clean cut and will work much harder with your ingredients. Left-handers want a sharpened edge on the left-hand side. So they can get a quality cut.

Learn more about single bevel vs double bevel knives

Top 6 Japanese Chef Knives

1. Shun Classic 6” Double Bevel Chef Knife – Editor’s Choice

This is a beautifully designed chef knife with a balance of features perfect for a left-handed user in a home or professional kitchen.

About the Knife

This knife is double beveled. It is our top selection for left-handed users. This knife has flexibility to move between  either hand, which makes a certain sense around the kitchen. There is nothing wrong with a knife targeting left handed users. All well balanced features are available in it. You get all of the well-balanced features of a premium blade, including tang, forged, and sharpness, with the added benefit of a safe and easy-to-grip handle that is well-rounded to avoid slippage.

Maintenance 

This knife is made from forged steel and has a Pakkawood handle which will not bear hot water. Don’t place this blade in a dishwasher. Its manufacturing material can’t hold up well under constant hot water. Instead, wash and dry by hand and put away in a safe space away from children and pets.

2. Enso 8” Chef’s Knife

A uniquely designed hammered Damascus stainless steel blade with the durability and cutting power a left-hander will appreciate.

Enso 8” Chef’s Knife Specifications

About the Knife

This knife is for left handed people. When you take it out of the box the first thing that will come in notice is the hammered damascus steel. This knife is of good quality. This is a personal design that is pretty 50/50 in the market that we find incredibly appealing. Flexibility does not fall in the domain of this knife. Another divisive feature is some prefer a Chef’s knife with more agility. For those that are left handed this knife has an excellent solid blade that provides an excellent counter force. Cutting is a surefire way to get the slices you would want for presentation and meal sizing. Just be careful, this is a wickedly sharp blade right from the moment you slice into the first ingredient.

Maintenance 

There is no need of a dishwasher for this knife because with most Damascus it is a even stainless steel version stick to hand washing and drying with a non-abrasive cloth, so the hammered effect is not scratched.

3. Hezhen Retro 8.5” Chef Knife – Best Gyuto Knife for Left-Handers

The power of one of the best Gyuto knives we have sampled in a premium blade and handle designed for any left or right-handed.

Hezhen Retro 8.5” Chef Knife Specifications

About the Knife

The blade feels extremely light in hand. Given the incredibly durable 110 layered Damascus steel and extended length of 8.5”, we thought it would weigh a lot more. This blade has a partial tang instead of full therefore, this is not higher on our list. This blade has an extraordinary look due to Gyuto-style design. We believe this is a superior option and an excellent gift, primarily due to the Gyuto-style design. Compared to others, you get a ton of versatility with this left-handed chef knife option.

Maintenance 

A true damascus steel will rust if exposed too much water in a dishwasher. Dry completely before storing. You need to carefully was your hands.

4. Yoshihiro Left-Handed Kasumi Deba Knife – Best Left-Handed Deba Knife

A left-handed option for the smashing and fine slicing of a powerful Japanese-styled Deba blade.

Yoshihiro Left-Handed Kasumi Deba Knife Specifications

About the Knife

This knife is one of the premium blades we have ever tested. This is of extreme level. This is simply a put-a-chef knife of extreme quality. This makes it an expensive one. This is why the price tag is a little higher than you may expect. However, you get one beveled edge that is specially designed for left-handed users. Combine this with the luxury features and custom benefits of the Deba blade and you’re in for a treat. If you’ve ever used fish at  home, this left-handed chef’s knife is  for you.

Maintenance 

This fine craftsmanship should not be placed in a dishwasher. If this heirloom piece is taken well care of this will last for many years. Hand Wash and dry carefully and then before storing place back into its sheath.

5. Left-Handed 2.75” Paring Knife – Best Paring Knife for Left-Handers

An excellent option for slicing and working with smaller ingredients without slipping out of your hand due to right-handed design.

About the Knife

It is true that this is not one of the high end blades that you will pass to your children’s children, but that is kind of a point. Everyone demands for a beautiful and reliable paring knife for everyday kitchen tasks, and this fits the bill nicely. This is best for left handed users. Not only that, but it has a single bevel designed just for left-handed users. You have a lighter weight so you can twist almost any fruit or vegetable, and a soft handle that won’t slip out of your hand. Just a great choice for those who love  versatility in the kitchen.

Maintenance 

This knife can be happily put into a dishwasher worry-free. Just be sure to dry it off completely when the cycle is done to avoid any staining.

6. Mercer Culinary Asian Collection Yanagi Sashimi Knife  – Best Left-Handed Sashimi Knife

Perfect for left-handed users that enjoy finely carved fish or fresh sushi at home.

Mercer Culinary Asian Collection Yanagi Sashimi Knife Specifications

About the Knife

If you have admired the skill and agility of a sashimi blade, welcome to the beauty of Mercer Culinary. This is an exceptionally well made blade as it is stamped and not forged. You can accurately resist a left-handed slice and get  thin slices of fresh fish and other delicious delicacies. We were impressed with the length of the blade, but how well it maintained  balance and the lighter weight. A really great knife in its price range.

Maintenance 

Even though the handle is made of Santoprene, we do not recommend putting this into a dishwasher. By different hot water jets this long blade can easily get damaged. Only use hand washing and drying, and please be careful as this is highly sharp.

7. Mercer Culinary M23211 Millennia 10” Bread Knife  – Best Left-Handed Sashimi Knife

Finally, a quality bread knife for left-handed users that features a grip and slight flexibility for a good cut.

Mercer Culinary M23211 Millennia 10” Bread Knife Specifications

About the Knife

There is not much to say about this excellent choice of a left-handed bread knife. If you want a quality slice fresh or baked, you need a reliable bread knife that gets the job done well and  is an affordable knife that has all the features you  want. The comfort of the  left hand grip alone is more than worth the price. Add  sharpness and durability and you have a solid addition to any home or professional kitchen. It would be a great choice for food trucks or vendors because it is so reliable and durable.

Maintenance 

Be careful and wash your hands. This is a surprisingly sharp serrated edge that can do some damage if accidentally dropped while washing.

BONUS: Cuisinart 15-Piece Cutlery Block Set – Best Left-Handed Knives Set

This is an easy to purchase option for getting all the kitchen essentials a left-handed user could want in one fell swoop.

Some people may feel overwhelmed while using different blades. We wanted to include a simplified solution for those left-handed users that may feel overwhelmed by the different types of blades on our list. Everything you want for a home kitchen is available in this option. There are optional upgrades in terms of accessories and material quality, but in general you can expect a basic blade, a Santoku, a knife, a steak knife, a sharpening blade and more. If you’re left-handed and need a set, or are considering giving it to a friend, this is a reliable solution.

Maintenance 

These blades are of high quality. None of the blades should be placed into a dishwasher, they will get rusted or stained. Handwashing is the best option and it  dries completely before returning to the block.