Best Japanese Chef Knife Sets of 2026

Rebecca Cantu Avatar
Rebecca Cantu
Last Updated: Feb 2, 2026

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Japanese Chef Knife Sets are highly sought after by professional chefs and home cooks alike. Known for their exceptional quality and sharpness, these knife sets feature a variety of different blades for all your culinary needs. From slicing and dicing to chopping and mincing, these knives are designed to make your kitchen tasks easier and more efficient. Made from high-quality materials and crafted with precision, Japanese Chef Knife Sets are a must-have for anyone who takes their cooking seriously. Whether you're a seasoned chef or just starting out, these knife sets are sure to impress.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Matsato 6.3 Inch Japanese Steel Chef Knife Cover #TOP 1
Matsato 6.3 Inch Japanese Steel Chef Knife
ftb score rating icon 9.9
HOSHANHO 8 inch Japanese Steel Chef's Knife Cover #TOP 2
HOSHANHO 8 inch Japanese Steel Chef's Knife
ftb score rating icon 9.8
HOSHANHO 7 Inch Japanese Chef Knife Cover #TOP 3
HOSHANHO 7 Inch Japanese Chef Knife
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 9 Japanese Chef Knife Sets

Matsato 6.3 Inch Japanese Steel Chef Knife

Matsato
Brown, Silver
6.3"
Matsato 6.3 Inch Japanese Steel Chef Knife Cover
Matsato Chef Knife - Perfect Kitchen Knive for Cooking, Chopping. Japanese Steel Knife for Home, BBQ. For Balance & Control, 6.3 Inch

The Matsato Chef Knife is designed for both home cooks and professionals, making it a versatile addition to your kitchen. Its strong Japanese steel blade ensures durability and sharpness, helping you slice and chop with precision. The knife features a solid oak handle that offers a comfortable and secure grip, so you can work safely and confidently. Handcrafted with traditional Japanese techniques, this knife combines classic style with modern performance, allowing you to handle a variety of kitchen tasks with ease. Whether you’re preparing vegetables, meats, or herbs, this well-balanced knife enhances your cooking experience.

What We Like
Extremely sharp blade
High-quality construction
Comfortable, sturdy handle
Great value for price
Effortless cutting performance

HOSHANHO 8 inch Japanese Steel Chef's Knife

8 inch Chef Knife
8 inch Chef Knife
HOSHANHO 8 inch Japanese Steel Chef's Knife Cover
HOSHANHO Kitchen Knife in Japanese High Carbon Steel, Professional High-Class Chef's Knife 8 inch, Non-slip Ultra Sharp Cooking Knives with Ergonomic Handle

HOSHANHO's 8 inch Chef's Knife is made of high-end Japanese steel AUS-10, providing high sharpness and durability at a reasonable cost. The matte finish of the blade adds a touch of fashion to your cooking. The handle made of ultra-durable wood is designed with a sloped bolster shape, which encourages proper and safer grip while ensuring comfortable use. It is a versatile knife suitable for everyday kitchen tasks such as chopping, cutting, and dicing vegetables, fruits, meat, and cheese.

What We Like
Extremely sharp blade
Excellent balance and weight
Comfortable ergonomic handle
Great value for price
High build quality

HOSHANHO 7 Inch Japanese Chef Knife

7 inch Santoku Knife
Silver
HOSHANHO 7 Inch Japanese Chef Knife Cover
HOSHANHO 7 Inch Japanese Chef Knife, Ultra Sharp High Carbon Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife, Professional Santoku Knives with Ergonomic Pakkawood Handle

HOSHANHO Chef Knife is a high-quality kitchen knife made of ultra-tough stainless steel. Its blade is forged with triple-layer laminated steel, providing durability and resistance to cold, heat, and corrosion. The blade is made of high-end Japanese steel AUS-10, which is two times harder than other knives in its class. The unique design of the knife includes a frosted finish and a hand-sharpened 15° blade angle, allowing for thinner cuts and more precise tasks in the kitchen. The double-side groove design reduces cutting resistance and prevents food from sticking. The knife also features an ergonomic Pakkawood handle, ensuring optimum comfort, control, and agility. With its versatility, this Santoku knife is suitable for both home and professional use, making it perfect for chopping, slicing, dicing, and cutting various ingredients. The knife comes packaged in a luxurious gift box, making it an ideal gift for any cook or knife enthusiast.

What We Like
Ultra-sharp durable blade
Comfortable ergonomic handle
Good balance and weight
Excellent value for price
Professional look and feel
#TOP 4

Brewin CHEFILOSOPHI 5-Piece Chef Knife Set

BREWIN-US
8 inches
Brewin CHEFILOSOPHI 5-Piece Chef Knife Set Cover
Brewin CHEFILOSOPHI Japanese Chef Knife Set 5 PCS with Elegant Red Pakkawood Handle Ergonomic Design,Professional Ultra Sharp Kitchen Knives for Cooking High Carbon Stainless Steel

Brewin's CHEFILOSOPHI 5-Piece Chef Knife Set is a top-shelf cooking knife set that has been painstakingly crafted with expert chefs in mind. Featuring ultra-tough 1.4116 German stainless steel with a Rockwell hardness score of 56+, these knives are razor sharp and highly durable. The ergonomic design of the Pakkawood handles ensures perfect balance and a luxurious feel. This set includes two 8-inch knives, a Santoku Japanese knife, a 5-inch utility knife, and a smaller paring knife for peeling and prep.

What We Like
Razor-sharp blades
Attractive red handles
Comfortable ergonomic grip
Good value for price
Easy to clean
#TOP 5

Matsato Chef Knife with Leather Sheath

Matsato
Steel
5.8"
Matsato Chef Knife with Leather Sheath Cover
Matsato Chef Knife with Premium Leather Sheath – Japanese Steel Kitchen Knife for Home & Cooking, Christmas Gift Set for Men or Women, Kitchen Gift for Chefs

The Matsato Chef Knife is a versatile tool perfect for both home cooks and professional chefs. Its sharp and durable Japanese stainless steel blade helps you slice, dice, and chop ingredients with ease and precision. The knife’s solid oak handle offers a comfortable grip, giving you excellent control and safety while preparing meals. Plus, the included premium leather sheath protects the blade from damage and keeps your hands safe when storing or carrying the knife. With the Matsato Chef Knife, you get a reliable and convenient kitchen companion that makes cooking more enjoyable and efficient.

What We Like
Extremely sharp blade
Comfortable, ergonomic handle
Attractive hammered finish
Well balanced weight
Effortless chopping performance

FAMCÜTE 8 Inch Japanese Chef Knife

SHG-0008
Clad
8" Chef knife
FAMCÜTE 8 Inch Japanese Chef Knife Cover
FAMCÜTE 8 Inch Japanese Knife, Hand Forged 5 Layers High Carbon 9CR18MOV Steel Rosewood Handle Chef's Knife, Ultra Sharp Durable Professional Kitchen Knives, A Thoughtful Gift for Husband/Wife

The FAMCÜTE 8 Inch Japanese Chef Knife is a high-quality knife that is perfect for everyday use for any chef. Made from 9CR18MOV steel with an HRC of 60+/-2, this knife can hold an angled edge for a long time with general maintenance. Its clad dimple ensures easy food release while slicing or dicing. The handle is crafted from African rosewood, which is not only beautiful but also provides stability and comfort during cutting. This knife's weight and balance make it efficient during a rock chopping motion. FAMCÜTE promises quality and offers to replace the knife free of charge if any quality problems occur.

What We Like
Incredibly sharp blade
Excellent balance and control
Comfortable rosewood handle
High-quality craftsmanship
Great value for money
#TOP 7

HOSHANHO 8 Inch 10CR15MOV Gyuto Chef Knife

20cm Gyuto Kochmesser
8 Inch Chef Knife
HOSHANHO 8 Inch 10CR15MOV Gyuto Chef Knife Cover
HOSHANHO 8 Inch Chef Knife, 9 Layers 10CR15MOV High Carbon Steel Kitchen Knife, Japanese Professional Gyuto Chefs Knives with Octagonal Rosewood Handle

The HOSHANHO Gyuto Chef Knife is crafted with a high-quality Japanese 10CR15MOV steel core, giving you excellent cutting power and long-lasting sharpness. Its blade is hand-sharpened to a precise 12° angle, allowing you to slice smoothly and maintain food texture, whether you’re working with delicate fish or tough vegetables. The rosewood handle is ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in your hand, providing balance and control for all cutting styles. Plus, the knife’s layered steel construction and protective cladding resist rust and wear, making it a reliable tool that stays sharp and durable through regular kitchen use.

What We Like
Premium 10Cr15MoV steel
Razor-sharp edge retention
Comfortable octagonal rosewood handle
Elegant layered blade design
Well-balanced and ergonomic
#TOP 8

HOSHANHO 9 Inch Kiritsuke Knife

9 inch Kiritsuke Knife
Gray
HOSHANHO 9 Inch Kiritsuke Knife Cover
HOSHANHO 9 Inch Kiritsuke Chef Knife, Japanese Hand Forged 9 Layers 10Cr15CoMoV High Carbon Steel Kitchen Knife, Professional Chef's Knife with Ergonomic Rosewood Handle

The HOSHANHO Kiritsuke Knife is a high-performance kitchen tool crafted from six layers of composite steel with a VG-10 core. This construction offers remarkable hardness and flexibility, ensuring lasting durability. Its ultra-sharp blade, honed to a precise angle, makes it perfect for mincing, dicing, and slicing a variety of foods, enhancing your culinary experience. The ergonomic rosewood handle is designed for comfort, providing a stable grip that reduces fatigue during long cooking sessions. Additionally, the knife's unique hand-hammered texture not only adds beauty but also helps prevent food from sticking, making it easy to clean and maintain.

What We Like
Excellent sharpness
Great value for price
Comfortable ergonomic handle
Attractive design
Well-balanced and lightweight

Emojoy Damascus 67-Layer Chef Knife

KC-KS60
Brown
Emojoy Damascus 67-Layer Chef Knife Cover
Damascus Chef Knife in Japanese Steel, 67-Layers Damascus Kitchen Knife with Wooden Gift Box and Original Olive Wood Handle, Cooking Knives for Home Kitchen Gift Idea

The Emojoy Damascus Chef Knife is crafted from 67 layers of Japanese steel, giving it exceptional sharpness and durability. Its high carbon and chromium content make the blade resistant to wear and rust, so you can rely on it for a long time in your kitchen. The knife features a precise 15-degree edge angle, sharpened by hand, which allows you to cut through meat, fish, and vegetables smoothly and accurately. The handle is made from comfortable, sturdy Calabrian olive wood, designed to fit naturally in your hand for better control and ease while chopping. This knife combines beauty, strength, and comfort for an excellent cooking experience.

What We Like
Premium wooden gift box
Super sharp Damascus blade
Ergonomic olive wood handle
Lightweight and well-balanced
Excellent value for price
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What knife do Japanese chefs use?

The yanagi is the Japanese chef's knife used around the world for cutting precise slices of sushi and sashimi. Its especially long blade (ranging from 8-12 inches) is used for long slicing motions and is also perfect for breaking down large fish fillets.

2. Are Japanese chefs knives good?

Japanese knives are known for their durability, sharpness, and longevity, making them some of the most sought-after knives in the world. The brands on this list have high quality chef knives, meat cleavers, and more.

3. Are Japanese kitchen knives better?

Japanese knives are generally lighter and sharper than their German counterparts. Since they're thinner, they're a little more prone to the tip breaking or the blade chipping, so Japanese knives tend to need more maintenance.

4. Why are Japanese knives so good?

Generally, Japanese knives are lighter, feel more balanced in the hand and feature steel that is harder, thinner and able to hold an edge for a longer time. These are exactly the reasons they're so popular among professional chefs, and why they're perfect for the precision tasks chefs do all day every day.

Editor's Notes

During our japanese chef knife set research, we found 24 japanese chef knife set products and shortlisted 9 quality products. We collected and analyzed 83,917 customer reviews through our big data system to write the japanese chef knife sets list. We found that most customers choose japanese chef knife sets with an average price of $44.76.

The japanese chef knife sets are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of japanese chef knife sets, including Matsato, HOSHANHO, Brewin, Emojoy. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 1,222 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Rebecca Cantu Avatar

Rebecca Cantu grew up in a family-owned retail store for home and kitchen products. She worked online and gave assistance to people to buy ideal products for their sweet home after graduating from Northwestern University with a marketing degree. She has been writing content for online shopping guides since 2011 with her professional knowledge and natural sensitivity of appliances.