The delicious and rich ethic of Japan has produced some of the best kitchen knife tools that will be available in 2023. But among these knives, the question related to kiritsuke vs gyuto knives – which one is best. Although both knives are great tools and work exceptionally well in perfect manner, we still need to understand the difference between these two knives before making a decision about it. In this article, we will compare both kiritsuke and gyuto and will tell you which knife one is best for you.
Kiritsuke Knife Overview
In general, the kiritsuke knife is less famous than gyuto.This is in large part thanks to their more specialized purpose. The gyuto knife is specifically designed like a speedy horse to perform a variety of kitchen tasks. The kiritsuke is also a versatile tool but its length and width may be unhandy for less experienced chefs. The kiritsuke comes with a flat long blade which is very useful for preparing vegetables and the equivalent piece of fish.
Shape:
The main things you need to know about this knife is they are best used with up and down motion while chopping. If you’ve ever used a Western chef’s knife before, the flat shape and unusual weight distribution can present a steep learning curve. Once you become an expert then you will really love the performance that Kiritsuke gives.
Easy to use:
According to us, kiritsuke is not really good for beginners, although it is widely used by some of Japan’s most recognized chefs. These days, cooking habits are far more relaxed. Be prepared to walk around a bit at first though!
Single Bevel Sharpness:
The conventional kiritsuke knife characteristically uses a single bevel blade which offers high level of sharpness and enables you to achieve more consistently and accurate cuts with little bit practice. Try to push away anything that you are cutting. Furthermore, these days kiritsuke knives also come with double bevel variations that are easy to handle by western cooks.
Kiritsuke Knives Uses
Kiritsuke Basic Statistics
Gyuto Chef’s Knife Overview
If you consider a kiritsuke knife as a mini sword then the gyuto knife also brings some simplicity into the mind. You can also examine it as a japanese alternative to western chef knives. Weather, it exists as a separate category in its own right and it will not be wrong. Gyuto knives are used to perform different tasks in the kitchen and you feel very handy quickly. Actually the gyuto means beef knife in the Japanese language and this meaning pointed to its actual purpose – preparing a variety of meat for making japanese traditional dishes.
Gyuto Chef’s Knife Shape:
The sharp and flat edge of gyuto make it perfect for all kitchen tasks like slicing, dicing and mincing. It can be your nice partner and you can use it by applying an-and-down chopping motion while working. If you like a western approach of rocking the blade back and forth then use the French profile ( sabatier ) of gyuto knife.
Gyuto Chef’s Knife Weight:
Gyuto knives are also known for their light weight, making them super fast kitchen staples in the right pair of hands. But remember that you will need something heavy to break or deal with bones or dense material.
Gyuto Chef’s Knife Length:
If you compare a gyuto knife with a kiritsuke, it will be notably shorter and allow you to move so far steadily in between a variety of tasks.
Gyuto Chef’s Knife Uses
Kiritsuke Basic Statistics
Kiritsuke vs Gyuto – What is the Difference?
You should keep in your mind the differences when you think about the kiritsuke vs gyuto knives.
| Knife | Kiritsuke | Gyuto |
| Blade Length | 9.5 – 13 inches | 7 – 12 inches |
| Blade Thickness | 1 – 2 mm | 1.5 – 5 mm thick |
| Flexibility | Low | Low |
| HRC | 59 – 63 | 60 – 63 |
| Main Purpose | Long, thin cuts. Fish, vegetables. | A huge variety of kitchen tasks – bonus for speed |
Single vs Double – Bevel
The gyuto knives come with a double bevel blade while the kiritsuke knives have a single bevel blade which means the kiritsuke provide more precise, thin and sharp cuts. On the other hand, the gyuto knife is great for more predictable and versatile cutting work.
Length
If you need a longer knife for large cuts of vegetables or fish then kiritsuke will be the best option. If you need such length that requires more versatility then you should go with a gyuto knife.
Selection of Knife
If you want something that’s certainly versatile, we recommend picking up a gyuto knife. But if you think that you are an expert and have a great skill and want to work with large cuts of vegetables and fish then kiritsuke should be your consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kiritsuke Hard to Use?
The kiritsuke is expected to be all purpose knives but using it is a little tricky. It has a long and straight blade with a pointed tip that is why it is mostly used as a chef knife but you can also use it as a slicing knife. The key is to find the proper grip and use a sawing motion when cutting hard components. And with slight practice it will be easy to use for you. It is necessary for beginners to start with a more traditional chef’s knife or slicing knife before moving to kiritsuke.
What is a Gyuto Knife Good For?
The gyuto knife is the Japanese version of the traditional western chef’s knife. It is widely used to perform multi tasks and use a variety of cutting techniques that is suitable for working with meat, fishes, vegetables and fruits.
What Not to Do With Gyuto?
Hard chopping: Hard steel ( even VG – 10 ) has more chances to get chipped and gyuto are not really designed to support it.
Cutting of hard products: cutting a pit or bone is not really done by gyuto knives.
What is the Best Length for a Gyuto Knife?
The answer is 240mm, For the average user, 240mm length will be the best recommendation because this length gives you extra versatility to produce nice stuff while remaining light and quick moving enough in hand to feel comfortable.
Gyuto Recommendation:
According to us, the Mitsumoto Sakari 8-Inch Japanese Kiritsuke Chef Knife is the 2023 best kiritsuke knife with a lifetime warranty.
Kiritsuke Recommendation:
According to us, the Victorinox Fibrox Pro, 8 Inch Chef’s Knife is truly the best kiritsuke knife of 2023 with a lifetime warranty and love the way it feels in the hand.
Conclusion
The kiritsuke knives are certainly for those people who are beginners or some casual home cook. The gyuto knife offers amazing versatility and good for predictable work but people who prepare a ton of vegetables and big fishes will definitely love to kiritsuke knife.