Fukumoto Hamono Hammered Nakiri

Our trusted knife broker, Kida-san, recently found a stash of rare nakiris from Fukumoto Hamono, a small knife maker in Seki City, or Japan’s “Sword Capital.” We quickly secured a limited shipment just for Milk Streeters—you won’t find these anywhere else (or at this fair price) in America. The hammered nakiri is fashioned from high-quality AUS-6 stainless steel; the blade, just 2 millimeters at the top of the spine, tapers down to a super-thin edge. Full tang and featherweight, it is slightly taller and longer than most nakiris, making it easy to break down big cabbages, slice zucchini or eggplant into planks and chop big sweet potatoes into wedges. Like any nakiri, it’s thin enough to make precise cuts without the force required by thicker chef’s knives. The satin-finished blade has a tsuchime (hammered) pattern, which doubles as non-stick treatment. The dimpled texture traps air between the blade and food—such as carrot coins or scallion rounds—so ingredients fall right off. The western-style natural wood handle is comfortable and grippy for a secure feel and balanced control. Each nakiri is packaged in a high-quality box with Japanese labeling, so it’s perfect for gifting (or treating yourself).