The name Nakiri translates to “vegetable cutter” making it quite clear its intended use. The flat section of the blade is well suited to downwards cutting. This flat section is great for contacting the chopping board across the length of the blade, allowing for very straight even cuts. Unlike a cleaver it is a thin knife with smooth flat faces and a shallow bevel angle. This helps the blade to cut through with ease, performing clean cuts without wedging or breaking apart your vegetables. It is a delicate and precise tool, very well suited to slicing through a variety of fruit and vegetables. The squared off tip indicates its specific purpose and gives a very recognisable profile. It has gained a lot of popularity in the west in recent years, particularly amongst professional chefs. It comes in a variety of lengths and heights around the classic 7 inches.