Sha Ra Ku Mono Nakiri, 160 mm (6.3")

The second masterpiece by visionary industrial designer Komin Yamada, Sha Ra Ku Mono’s seamless construction, elegant contours, and standout design have earned it a place in our carefully curated collection for over twenty years. Unlike Global knives, Yamada’s previous creation, Sha Ra Ku Mono features hollow handles that give it a delicate balance evocative of traditional wood-handled Japanese knives.

Sha Ra Ku Mono is produced by Tojiro in Tsubame, Japan and distributed exclusively by Seattle Cutlery.

Function

The nakiri bōchō (菜切り包丁), “knife for cutting greens,” is a traditional Japanese vegetable knife. Unlike the other large knives such as the santoku, which have narrow tips intended for cutting meat, the nakiri has a square tip and broad blade that maximize chopping power along the full length of the knife. The nearly straight edge ensures full contact with the cutting board to facilitate up-and-down chopping, but the rounded tip also allows rock chopping.

The Sha Ra Ku Mono nakiri is available in two sizes. The 180 mm (7.1") length is more versatile, but the 160 mm (6.3") length give better control for smaller items.

Form

Sha Ra Ku Mono blades are forged from molybdenum-vanadium alloy stainless steel, which finely balances edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. This alloy is softer than the VG-10 steel used in other Tojiro knives but harder than European knife steels and is comparatively easy to sharpen.

The handle is made from hollow 18/8 stainless steel, crafted with the blade as a single piece. Much like a traditional wooden wa handle, its light weight keeps the knife's balance farther forward than on European knives. The ergonomic shape allows it to be gripped either by the handle or with a more versatile pinch grip.