In professional kitchens, tools are everything. Whether you’re Jacques Pépin effortlessly dicing onions or a home cook trying to prep dinner with confidence, the knife you reach for can transform your entire cooking experience. Recently, Christopher Kimball of Milk Street shared his reflections on one particular blade—one that has deep roots in Japanese culinary culture and is rapidly becoming a favorite among chefs and serious home cooks alike: the Nakiri.
Today, we’re breaking down why the Nakiri knife is such a game-changer, what makes the Milk Street Nakiri stand out, and how pairing it with a Waxed Canvas Chef’s Roll ensures your culinary essentials stay protected, organized, and ready for action.
The Nakiri Knife: A Tool Designed for Precision and Control
While many Western cooks instinctively reach for a classic chef’s knife, not everyone feels comfortable wielding a long, heavy blade originally designed for butchering. Christopher Kimball himself admits that even after decades in the kitchen, a chef’s knife can feel oversized, heavy, and difficult to control.
Enter the Japanese Nakiri, a vegetable-prep specialist with centuries of tradition behind it.
Why Chefs Love the Nakiri
The Nakiri wasn’t created to do everything—but for what it was made for, it’s nearly perfect. Its defining features include:
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A straight, thin, razor-sharp blade that glides through vegetables with minimal resistance
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A squared-off tip for clean, efficient chopping
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A tall blade profile that naturally shields your fingers
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Exceptional lightness, allowing for precision and long prep sessions without fatigue
Unlike the all-purpose chef’s knife, the Nakiri gives you complete control over your cuts. Its intuitive shape makes it approachable for beginners while still meeting the expectations of professionals who value speed, consistency, and comfort.
What Makes the Milk Street Nakiri So Unique?
Kimball highlights several thoughtful innovations that elevate the Milk Street Nakiri from traditional to exceptional:
🔪 Razor-Thin Blade (Just 1.6 mm Thick)
Less metal passing through each vegetable means less drag, cleaner cuts, and smoother chopping.
🔪 Embossed Nonstick File Pattern
Inspired by traditional kurouchi and nashiji finishes, this texturing reduces food clinging to the blade.
🔪 Balanced, Lightweight Build
At under 7 ounces, it’s dramatically lighter than Western chef’s knives, allowing more agility and safety.
🔪 Lock-In, Non-Slip Handle
Designed with ergonomics in mind, thicker at the top for a natural, comfortable grip.
🔪 Squared 2-Inch-Deep Blade
Perfect for scooping ingredients from board to pan—doubling as a bench scraper.
🔪 Curved Edge for Rock Chopping
Preserves speed while maintaining precision.
It’s no surprise that Kimball calls this the knife that may “change your life.” For vegetable prep—whether it’s slicing cabbage, shaving cucumbers, or mincing aromatics—the Nakiri simply outperforms.
The Perfect Companion: The Waxed Canvas Chef’s Roll
A precision tool deserves a protective home.
Your Waxed Canvas Chef’s Roll provides the ideal way to store, transport, and care for knives like the Milk Street Nakiri. Crafted for working chefs, culinary students, and passionate home cooks, it ensures that your tools stay sharp, organized, and travel-ready.
Why a Chef’s Roll Matters
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Protection: Prevents dents, dulling, and accidental tip damage
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Organization: Dedicated slots keep each knife secure and accessible
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Durability: Waxed canvas resists water, wear, and kitchen grit
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Professional Presentation: Whether you're cooking on the line or traveling to a friend’s kitchen, your tools reflect your craft
A high-performance blade paired with a rugged, stylish chef’s roll isn’t just gear—it’s an extension of your culinary identity.
Upgrade Your Prep Game
If you’ve ever struggled with a chef’s knife that feels too big, too heavy, or just not intuitive, the Nakiri might be the upgrade you didn’t know you needed. And with the Milk Street Nakiri offering a thoughtfully modern take on a traditional design, there has never been a better time to try one for yourself.
Keep your tools safe. Elevate your prep. And carry your kitchen confidence anywhere your cooking takes you—with a Waxed Canvas Chef’s Roll built for chefs who care about craftsmanship.
#ChristopherKimball #MilkStreet #SurLaTable #CrateAndBarrel #WilliamsSonoma
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