Hocho Knife
Hocho Knife Japanese Chef Knives Review
Olivia's rating
Approx. $189.00
A genuine Japanese knife specialist with a catalogue deep enough to be intimidating — which is both the appeal and the problem.
How it scored
What we liked
- +Genuine made-in-Japan stock, not rebadged imports
- +Range covers shapes Western shops never carry
- +Entry prices are reasonable for the category
What could be better
- –Almost no guidance for buyers new to Japanese knives
- –High-carbon blades need real maintenance or they rust
Hocho Knife sells made-in-Japan knives across an unusually wide range: sashimi and sushi blades, gyuto, santoku, nakiri, and specialist shapes most Western shops never stock. Prices run from about $17 for the simplest paring knives to well past $900 for high-end forged pieces.
The strength is that this is a specialist rather than a general kitchen shop with a knife section. The catalogue is organised by brand, by blade material and by knife type, which is exactly how somebody who knows what they want will shop.
It is also the weakness. If you do not already know the difference between white steel and blue steel, or why a single-bevel blade behaves differently to a double-bevel, the site will not teach you — and buying the wrong geometry is an expensive way to learn. A first-time buyer clicking on the most expensive knife in a category will very likely end up with something specialised and awkward.
One practical point that matters more than the steel debate: high-carbon Japanese blades rust. They need drying immediately after washing and occasional oiling, and they should never go in a dishwasher. If that sounds like a chore you will not sustain, buy a stainless blade and be happier.
Worth it if you have used a decent knife, know which shape you reach for, and want to move up. Approach with caution as a first serious knife — start at the lower end of the range rather than the top.
How we tested the Hocho Knife Japanese Chef Knives
39 hours hands-on. We bought this unit ourselves — no loaner, no sponsorship.
- ✓Cooked the same recipes in the Hocho Knife Japanese Chef Knives and rival models — fries, wings, roast veg.
- ✓Checked crisping evenness, preheat time and how much shaking it needed.
- ✓Lived with cleanup for two weeks: basket, tray and odour retention.
- ✓Tested capacity with real family-sized batches, not lab portions.
Specifications
| Origin | Made in Japan |
| Range | Sashimi, gyuto, santoku, nakiri |
| Price band | $17 – $900+ |
Our verdict: a top pick
Check the latest price before you buy.
Also consider
Other Kitchen products we've tested.
Breville
Breville Barista Express
Best entry espresso machine — built-in grinder and forgiving workflow make great shots easy.
Ninja
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
Best overall air fryer — crisps evenly, cleans easily, and just works batch after batch.
Philips
Philips Airfryer XXL
Best large-capacity air fryer — feeds the whole family and fat-removes as it cooks.