Kamikoto Knives Review: Read This Before You Make Any Investment!

Kamikoto Knives Review: Kamikoto is a widely known Japanese firm that produces high-quality Japanese-style stainless-steel knives in China and Japan. What most people have no idea about is that the company carries most of their operations in China, but it’s formally a Japanese company.

Something that causes the initial confusion is the fact that these knives are marketed as Japanese knives. Even so, Kamikoto knives are strong, durable and high-end knives that are created using the same master craftsmanship techniques that have been used in Japan for many centuries now.

The Kamikoto Kanpeki Knife Set is the latest model whose final form derives inspirations from thousands of years of Japanese master craftsmanship.

These knives stand out from the rest when it comes to their revolutionary design and added weight that give you more control over the knife while you’re cutting. Kamikoto knives don’t come cheap though – their prices are beyond the roof; way pricier than other brands like Yoshihiro.

In our Kamikoto knives review, we’re gonna explore this knife set and see if it should be truly worth an arm and a leg.  

Kamikoto Knives Review And Overview

Kamikoto Kanpeki Knife Set: What Is It?

Kamikoto Kanpeki Knife Set is a versatile, 3-piece knife set consisting of three essential knives that you’ll be using for most of your cutting chores. The 3-piece Kamikoto knife set arrives in a natural-colored ash wood box, and entails a 5-inch utility knife, an 8.5-inch slicing knife, and a 7-inch Nakiri knife for vegetable cutting.  

Kamikoto craftsmen have meticulously handcrafted each blade using a high-quality steel from Honshu, Japan. This type of steel is widely known for being durable and resistant to corrosion. For this reason, the Kamikoto Kanpeki Knife Set is much easier to clean and maintain than other showy knife sets out there.

Kamikoto Kanpeki Knife Set: Who Should Buy This Set?

The Kamikoto Kanpeki knife set is comprised of three knives that are all corrosion-resistant, weighted, and precision balanced. I’d basically recommend this knife set to both amateur and pro chefs or cooks who need top-notch knives for handling heavy-duty tasks.

Of course, the fact that the set includes only three knives yet retails at a whopping $255 may be a turnoff. However, I tend to think that the manufacturer chose to include the three knives that are mostly commonly found in every chef’s cutting arsenal.

A utility knife, slicing knife and vegetable knife are the 3 knives that you’ll depend on the most in the kitchen. The fact that these knives don’t require frequent sharpening makes it a hit among the pro cooks and chefs. Generally, this set is meant for anyone searching for a long-lasting high-end knife set that also needs the least maintenance.  

Kamikoto Kanpeki Knife Set: What I Like?

High-quality Japanese Steel

Kamikoto knives are skillfully constructed with high-carbon steel from the Niigata 新潟市 territory. Niigata’s knife-making history dates back to around 800 years ago, when blacksmiths forged the strongest, sharpest knives using an undisclosed combination of metals.

These knives are not only display-worthy but also outshine most Western knives. According to Kamikoto, each blade is formed by heating steel up to 1050˚C for three hours. After that, the steel is then annealed at 200˚C for two hours.

This technique results in strengthened steel whose blade flexibility is significantly diminished. The knife is incredibly strong, razor-sharp, and keeps its edge for longer – without constant re-sharpening. Plus, the knives are easy to care and work wonders in impressing your guests at a dinner.

Three-piece Set For Speedy Meal Prepping

Right out of the box, you’re gonna find three high-end knives that have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they meet the Kamikoto’s caliber and distinction.  The 7-inch Nakiri knife is used to cut veggies, while the 8.5-inch knife is for slicing.

There’s also the smaller 5-inch utility knife for tackling more intricate chores in the kitchen. Each knife comes sharpened, weighted and precision balanced for optimal form and hard-wearing performance.

Their weighted handles and sharp blades ensure precision and speed, allowing you to complete your meal prepping and cut back on the time you’ve been spending in the kitchen. Whether you are an amateur or a pro cook, these knives let you perfect your cutting, slicing, and dicing skills.

On the downside, some Kamikoto Kanpeki knife set reviews have complained about the Nakiri knife feeling like it needs to be re-profiled. While it’s well balanced and handles fairly smoothly, your arm may get a little tired if you do several hours of chopping.

The good news is that re-profiling the Nakiri knife is a fairly easy process if you have some whetstones. As for the other two stones, I noticed their edges are excellent. That is, their edges are sharp enough to perform difficult kitchen tasks.

Highly Durable G-10 Knife Handles

Kamikoto uses exceptionally long-lasting G-10 for all their knife handles. G-10 is made of embedded glass fiber, which makes it tough and impermeable to water.

Unlike most knife handles, Kamikoto knives are not affected by mold or dampness. The handles have a resin coating that prevents rusting or oxidation. This coating also ensures the handles never chip, shrink, or become brittle or soften over time.

The handles are also ergonomically shaped for ultimate comfort while cutting. They’re somewhat wider at the top and narrower towards the bottom. The whole handle is nice and rounded, and has no harsh edges that may hinder you from enjoying a good, solid grip.

And, since the bolster tapers gently, your fingers get to wrap around the bolster with neither sudden angles nor sharp edges. I loved how the knife fits my hand so perfectly.

Both the handles and blades are satin finished to achieve a subtle-yet-stunning luster. Like other sets crafted by Kamikoto, this particular set features beautiful handles that complement the blade’s design.

Precision Balanced & Weighted Blades Matching Kamikoto Standards  

What makes Kamikoto Kanpeki knives special is that they’ve been precisely balanced and weighted to Kamikoto standards.

Precision balanced and weighted blades allow for very fluid and smooth cutting, chopping and slicing. As well, with proper weight to a knife, it becomes easier to save yourself strenuous effort.

I must comment that weighted knives are a great investment for people who work long hours in the kitchen. And as expected, Kamikoto blades are corrosion resistant and will stand the test of time.

Aesthetics

It’s hard to beat the Kamikoto Kanpeki knife set when it comes to aesthetics. This set is, without a doubt, nice.

Every knife highlights some elegant, reserved curves with solid black handles complementing the satin finish of its blade.

Personally, I love to display this set in the natural-colored ash wood box that it came in. Also, when I’ve got guests around, I love to leave these knives out on display for them to see.

I’d advise you to get a magnetic knife holder if you’d like to show off the brand stamp as well as the clean exterior of each blade.

Pros

• 3-piece set comes in natural looking ash wood knife box
• Each blade is constructed with superior Honshu steel
• Blades showcase a single-bevel design
• Blades have a stunning satin finish
• All blades are precision balanced and weighted to match Kamikoto standards
• Blades are durable, sharp and easy to maintain
• Knives are resistant to corrosion

Cons

• Way pricier than other brands of Japanese knives
• User fatigue may be experienced due to the weight of the knives
• Kamikoto is unclear on where these knives are made. Several people say they’re made in China. The company needs to provide honest answers to avoid confusion.

Final Remarks

To be honest, I’m not comfortable with the pricing of the Kamikoto Kanpeki knife set. At $255, this set is way more expensive than other knife sets that are made of high-carbon steel.

Also, I wish the company could provide clear and honest answers regarding where these knives are made. Apart from these concerns, I think the Kamikoto Kanpeki knife set is overall a versatile knife set designed for amateurs and pro chefs alike.

Each knife has a nice hold and sharp edge that lasts longer than other Japanese-style knife sets. Apparently, this is why the Kamikoto Kanpeki knife set is currently the best seller that has been rated highly by most cooks and chefs of all skill levels.

These beautiful, well-crafted knives are easy to care for. And most importantly, they brag about impressive aesthetics, making them worth putting on display for your guests to see!