7 Best Hibachi Knives Of 2023
Hibachi knives are the gold standard when it comes to multi-purpose kitchen knives.
There are several varieties of Hibachi knives available and professional chefs all around the world swear by their quality and cutting capabilities.
What are the best hibachi knives? Hibachi knives are meant to last a lifetime which makes them a long-term investment. A great place to start would be with a Gyutou knife which is an all-rounder when it comes to home cooking but there are other specific-purpose knives that hibachi chefs use too.
Read on to learn more about Hibachi chefs, the various knives they use, a buyer’s guide to help you get the most authentic Japanese knives, and our recommendations below!
Hibachi Chefs And Knives
Hibachi knives are the most important tool for any Hibachi chef.
Hibachi or teppanyaki is a cooking style where the food is cooked over a grill, and usually in front of customers.
This style is more of a Western invention as it was popularized by Western restaurants rather than Japanese culture.
The term Hibachi is derived from Japanese but ironically has nothing to do with cooking. Traditionally Hibachis are known to be charcoal heating containers that can be any shape and size.
In the context of Western cooking, however, it is known to be a cooking surface either with a cast iron top or a regular grill which is more closely associated with the teppanyaki style of cooking.
Hibachi or teppanyaki chefs in the western world have a very different job: they have to be both chefs and entertainers.
The chefs have to cook meals in front of customers at their table using an electric grill instead of a charcoal grill so that it is safe to cook indoors.
This type of dining style has been on the rise for many years and people find it extremely entertaining to have their food cooked in front of them while the chef has a conversation with the guests at the table.
So where do Hibachi knives fit in? Well, it just so happens that everything that the chefs do is only possible because of these specific Hibachi knives.
Hibachi chefs need to cook food and also dazzle their audience with knife tricks and cooking prowess. This is only possible with the help of different knives and sheer skill.
These Japanese knives are available in different styles and are used to cut meat and vegetables both quickly and decoratively which adds presentation and helps cut down the cooking time for professional Hibachi chefs.
How Hibachi Knives Differ From Regular Knives
As mentioned, Hibachi knives are available in many different forms. For example, some have different heels (bottom of knife), some have different tips while others can have varying handle grips and even sharpness levels.
Hibachi knives are an integral part of cooking and you will always find these chefs with an array of knives that enable them to multitask and cook food for a large number of people at the same time.
These knives are usually a class apart from what you would normally use in the kitchen especially when it comes to design, weight, and blade surface.
Hibachi knives are professional and artisanal and even come with a case and accessories! There are even hobbyists who collect and use different types of Hibachi knives because of their build quality, classiness, and craftsmanship.
If you are thinking about getting Hibachi knives for home use then you are at the right place!
Purchasing the right Hibachi knife can be a daunting task especially if you don’t know anything about knives other than that they are used to “cut stuff”.
The right knife can stay with you for a very long time and will pay dividends when it comes to different cutting situations, this is why Hibachi knives are an extremely worthwhile investment.
Buyer’s Guide
We have prepared a great buyer’s guide for people who don’t know where to start with their first Hibachi knife. This guide will focus on the different aspects of a great kitchen knife.
Since it is difficult to explain each type of Hibachi knife with just one parameter, we have divided this guide into different parts.
Each part will discuss an important feature that a great Hibachi knife must possess to be deemed worthy for a place in your kitchen.
Here are a few great pointers to look out for when purchasing a Hibachi knife:
Use Cases
Hibachi knives are only limited by how you use them. For example, the Gyutou knife is an all-purpose knife that can be used for cutting onions to different types of meats, vegetables, and more.
Needless to say, if you are new to the world of Hibachi knives then the Gyutou will prove to be a worthy companion.
However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t look into other types of Hibachi knives too. Different cuisines require different types of knives which is why you may find more value in having multiple types of knives.
For example, if you enjoy BBQs then the best type of knife for your use would be one with an ergonomic handle, a sharp tip, and an angled blade surface that can easily cut through any type of meat.
Or if you like to cut a whole chicken yourself at home then a Honesuki knife would be the best to break down the different parts of the chicken with ease.
This type of Hibachi knife is shorter, has a wider blade surface, a great angle, and has a grippy and “heavy” handle that helps you push down on joints easily.
If you still don’t know where to start then we also have a few great knives set recommendations below which cover the most commonly used Hibachi knives.
Build Quality
While knives are built to last, they need to be made with the right materials and craftsmanship to be deemed worthy of being called Hibachi knives.
Hibachi knives are made using superior quality stainless steel that is crafted with extreme precision, and the blade may also be specifically treated to resist scratches and rust.
These knives are an expression and an art form like no other and if you are going to invest in a set or a single knife then we highly recommend that you choose only the best so that you get a good idea of what these knives are capable of.
Do not fall into the marketing traps of local brands that hype their products but use low-grade stainless steel, always pick a traditional Japanese blade.
As mentioned, high-grade carbon stainless steel is said to last a lifetime and even if the knives are completely coated with rust, they can still be restored to their original form by knife experts.
Sharpness
This goes without saying but knives that can maintain their sharpness levels for longer will provide the most benefit when it comes to cooking or multitasking.
Genuine Hibachi blades are known to remain sharp even after repeated use.
They may also come with knife stones that are used to sharpen the knife at home. These stones can be purchased separately too and require to be soaked in water for 30 minutes before use.
While you can still get these sharpened by a professional service, doing it at home will add to the charm of owning a Hibachi knife!
The angle (edge), blade surface, and build material determine the sharpness of the knife and if you are after the sharpest Japanese knives then any authentic Hibachi knife will work great.
Again, if you don’t know how to compare different knives then don’t worry about sharpness and authenticity, our recommendations below cover only the best knives available online!
Accessories
Professional chefs treat their knives like they are their best friends.
As you know by now, Hibachi knives are a bit different than other knives which is why they deserve to be stored and treated differently too.
These knives usually come with a cover in the form of a box or a wooden or plastic sheath. The knives must be kept securely away for safety and quality purposes.
Always keep the knives sheathed when not in use and you can also oil it by using Japanese tea seed oil (Tsubaki Oil) to prevent it from rusting and to keep the blade smooth and sharp.
The 7 Best Hibachi Knives
Now that you know where to start when it comes to picking the right Hibachi knife, here are some great recommendations to check out:
| Rank | Product | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Imarku Hibachi Chef Knife | All-purpose knife, designed with precision and built to last. |
| 2. | Matte Black Kitchen Knife Set | Style and function in one package. A set of ultra-sharp and high-quality Hibachi knives. |
| 3. | Bravedge Chef Knife | High carbon stainless steel knife with a protective coating and ultra-sharp edge. Ideal for home use. |
| 4. | Japanese Gyuto Chefs Knife | Durable single all-purpose knife with large heel and long-lasting sharpness. |
| 5. | TATARA 8-inch Chef Knife | A perfect knife to give as a gift or to use at home. High-grade stainless steel, great design – comes in a classy wooden case. |
| 6. | Professional Slicing Knife | Ultra-sharp edge with ergonomic handle and no-flex stainless-steel blade surface. |
| 7. | Farberware 15-Piece Hibachi Knife Set | Get the best of every Hibachi knife in one set. High-quality Stainless-steel knives made to last a lifetime. |
1. Imarku Hibachi Chef Knife
Whether you are looking for a carving knife, a chef knife, or a utility knife, this blade will get everything done!
This is a classic example of a Gyutou Hibachi knife that is designed for all-purpose cutting.
It’s made from high-grade stainless steel and also has a patterned blade surface that will keep the knife safe from scratches.
It’s extremely sharp and will maintain its sharpness level for a long time, unlike other cheaper knives. You also get an ergonomic handle, a large heel, and a very well-balanced knife design too!
2. Matte Black Kitchen Knife Set
This knife set isn’t just capable of cutting just about anything, it looks gorgeous too!
With this set, you get 6 Hibachi knives that cover just about every use-case that you can think of.
The set includes a professional chef knife, a carving knife, a utility knife, a bread knife, and more!
All the knives are made with high-grade stainless steel and are also titanium-plated which guarantees their longevity and sharpness level.
If you are unsure about which knives to purchase for your kitchen then this set is a great place to start.
3. Bravedge Chef Knife
Here’s another great example of an all-purpose knife that is ergonomically designed and super sharp.
If you don’t want to invest in a large knife set then we highly recommend that you start with just one high-quality knife.
This one is made with high carbon stainless steel, is dishwasher safe, and also comes with a sheath that will protect the blade from the environment.
4. Japanese Gyuto Chef’s Knife
This Gyuto knife is the perfect companion for every recipe. Whether you are cutting bread, meat, vegetables, or fruits.
The large heel is perfect for peeling onions and can also be used to crush garlic or other hard-shell nuts or ingredients.
The knife also has an ergonomic handle that will provide superior grip and a balanced weight that will cut through everything without adding additional torque.
This cutting tool will get everything done without fail and will retain its quality so that you always have a knife that is as sharp as the day you got it!
5. TATARA 8-inch Chef Knife
Share the love of Hibachi knives with a loved one with this super classy 8-inch chef’s knife.
The knife is made from high-grade stainless steel and is designed to resist erosion and dullness.
It also has a very balanced feel to it along with a pointy tip which makes it perfect for slicing through just about everything.
If you are thinking about gifting this to someone then you wouldn’t need to do much as it already comes in a very attractive wooden box!
6. Professional Slicing Knife
Slicing knives are an extremely important tool to have in the kitchen and can help you cut, dice, and peel anything from fruits, vegetables, and even roasts.
If you are a BBQ fan then this is the knife to buy. Cut meat with ease using this 8-inch knife forged using traditional Japanese best practices.
It has a non-slip ergonomic handle and a super sharp edge. The balanced weight of the knife also makes it easy to hold and slice through food without much effort.
7. Farberware 15-Piece Hibachi Knife Set
If you want to fully immerse yourself in Hibachi knives then this is the knife set to purchase!
You get 15 precision-crafted knives that are suitable for every use in the kitchen.
Each knife is made with high-carbon stainless steel that is designed to last a very long time.
The knives are also equipped with ergonomic handles that will keep your hand from getting tired as you slice through food like butter.
Each knife is extremely well balanced when it comes to its design and weight and this set also includes an eye-catching knife holder that will protect the blades and maintain their sharpness too.
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As a teppanyaki chef, these knives are subpar at best