Miyabi Kaizen Chef’s Knife Features
The Miyabi Kaizen line has in its collection some of the best knives produced by Miyabi. Thus, the line has some of the best chef knives from the brand. The Kaizen chef knives come in 3 sizes and 2 types. Bassically you get the “normal” and the “wide” chef knives ranging from 6 to 8 and 9.5 inches. The most popular of the four knives is the mid-size 8 inch Miyabi Kaizen chef’s knife.
Blade
The blade of the Kaizen knives is made by covering a VG10 stainless steel core with 64 layers of damascus steel. The VG10 steel is a popular choice between modern Japanese knives because of the steels hardness, rust resistance, edge retention and ease of sharpening. Basically the alloy is a high carbon stainless steel made with 1% carbon, 15% chromium, 1% Molybdenum, 2% Vanadium and 1.5% Cobalt. Thus a good choice for a knife’s blade.
In order to enhance the bade’s steel properties Miyabi uses forging and tempering techniques that make the material hard but not brittle. This is done through Zwilling’s CRYODUR technique in which the blades are heated up and cooled in order to remove stress from the blade. This is a complex process in which the steel is first heated up in vacuum sealed ovens before it cooled down, then frozen. In this way you really get an exceptional blade with a hardness of 60 HRC.
Sharpening
Kaizen chef knives usually come extremely sharp out of the box. This is because Miyabi sharpens its blades manually through the traditional Japanese, 3 step, Honbazuke technique. Here, knives are ground and sharpened on vertical and horizontal rotating stones before they are polished on leather belts. This ensures you get a chef knife as sharp as a scalpel.
Handle
The Kaizen chef knives come with a Linen Micarta handle. This material is made by applying pressure and heat to fibrous materials, usually, canvas, burlap, paper or linen. The Kaizen knives come with a linen micarta which is extremely resistant to damage and water. Just perfect for a knife intended to be used extensively.
The handles of the Kaizen knives are traditionally Japanese. Compared to western style knives the traditional Japanese handles have a D-shape. This makes them very comfortable for use with a specific hand. If you are right-handed you should consider a knife handle made for right-handed users. Even though this types of handles are not intended for ambidextrous use, they are sometimes used differently with comfort because of their more rounded shape.
Miyabi Kaizen 9.5 inch Chef’s Knife
The 9.5 inch Kaizen chef knife is intended for professional users or people with larger hands which are able to control a bigger blade with ease. The high edge retention of the blade means that you will be able to chop, slice and dice for a long time before needing to hone or sharpen it. Also the linen micarta handle with its high damage and water resistance will be in good shape even after high usage.
Miyabi Kaizen 8 inch Chef’s Knife
The 8 inch Kaizen chef knife is the most popular chef knife on offer from the line. It features a 9.5 to 12 degree edge at 60 HRC hardness, a D-shaped linen micarta handle and a beautiful damascus design. The 8 inch size is a mid range size perfect for any user. On top, with a price tag of under $100, it’s a great choice for any cook.
Miyabi Kaizen 6 inch Chef Knife
The 6 inch Kaizen chef’s knife is the smallest one on offer and it’s intended for prep work, beginners or people who can generally handle a smaller blade easier. A 6 inch chef knife has less weight and is easier to control. But, when faced with large ingredients it might start to get uncomfortable to use.
Miyabi Kaizen 6 inch Wide Chef’s Knife
The Kaizen 6 inch wide chef’s knife has the same length as the regular 6 inch. But, the distance from the heal to the spine of the knife is higher, resulting in a wider blade. This distance creates more space between your knuckles and the cutting board making it easier to handle. Though, a wide blade makes it easier for food to stick to its surface.
Pros of the Miyabi Kaizen chef knives
- Hardness – 60 HRC
- VG10 Super Steel Core
- 64 Layers of Damascus Steel
- Honbazuke Hand Sharpened
- Comfortable Linen Micarta Handle
- 3 Different Sizes and 2 Types of Chef Knives
- Come Very Sharp Out of the Box
- Lifetime Manufacturer Warranty
- Competitive Price
Cons of the Miyabi Kaizen chef knives
- The blade’s is a bit chippy at first (but loses it after being sharpened a few times)
Did you like a Kaizen chef knife? Get informed with the entire Miyabi Kaizen product line.
