Art Gladius Nakiri / Vegetable Chopper | Walnut Wood Handle | 6.7-Inch 440 Steel Blade | Made in Spain

Art Gladius Nakiri / Vegetable Chopper | Walnut Wood Handle | 6.7-Inch 440 Steel Blade | Made in Spain

Appearance and Construction

This knife features the characteristic shape of a Japanese Nakiri knife – a wide, rectangular blade with an almost straight edge and a blunt tip, optimised for chopping vegetables. The blade length is approx. 170 mm (around 6.7 inches). It is crafted from 440 stainless steel, and although the manufacturer specifies a mirror polish finish, visually the blade features a striking hammered texture, which may help reduce food sticking. The "GLADIUS" logo is located near the handle. This model is exceptionally robust, evidenced by the blade thickness of approx. 2.8 mm and a weight of around 229 g – hence the designation "Nakiri / Chopper". The handle, made from dark walnut wood with a lovely grain, has the proven shape, complemented by a metal bolster with red decorative rings and finished with a metal end cap. The total length of the knife is approximately 307 mm.

The Razor-Sharp 440 Steel Blade

A robust blade for demanding tasks:

• Perfect for Chopping: The straight edge ensures full contact with the cutting board for clean and efficient vegetable chopping. The blade arrives razor-sharp.
• Extreme Durability: The very thick blade (2.8 mm) made from 440 steel hardened to 58−60 HRC is incredibly strong and resilient, suitable even for harder vegetables or lighter chopping tasks.
• Long Edge Retention: The steel's hardness ensures the edge stays sharp for a long time.
• Corrosion Resistance: Proven stainless 440 steel is reliable and resistant to kitchen environments.

The Walnut Wood Handle – Classic Choice with Flair

The walnut wood handle offers a combination of aesthetics and function:

• Elegant Appearance: Dark wood with red rings looks premium and stylish.
• Durability: Walnut wood is a hard and proven material for knife handles.
• Comfortable Grip: The ergonomic shape fits well in the hand and provides security when chopping.
• Natural Material: Pleasant to the touch.

What is This Knife For?

It's primarily a vegetable specialist, but its robustness allows for more:

• Chopping and Slicing All Kinds of Vegetables: From herbs to root vegetables and cabbage. The straight edge is ideal for a push-cut technique.
• Dicing: Quick and efficient preparation of diced vegetables.
• Scooping: The wide blade acts like a scoop for easily transferring chopped ingredients.
• Lighter Chopping Tasks: Thanks to its robustness, it can substitute for a small cleaver, e.g., for crushing garlic or chopping very hard vegetables.

Caring for Your Knife – Wood and Edge Need Attention

Proper care is important:

• Hand Washing is Essential: Never in the dishwasher! It would damage the blade and the walnut handle. Wash the knife only by hand with warm water and mild washing-up liquid, and dry it thoroughly immediately.
• Oiling the Handle: To keep the walnut wood beautiful and protected, treat it regularly. Occasionally rub it lightly with a thin layer of food-safe mineral oil or wood oil.
• Safe Storage: In a knife block (check blade width clearance) or on a strong magnetic rack.
• Edge Maintenance (Plain Edge): Use a honing steel. Sharpening on a stone might be more demanding due to blade thickness; consider a professional service. Sharpening angle approx. 15−20 degrees.

Safety First

When working with a robust Nakiri/Chopper:

• Use a solid and sufficiently large cutting board.
• Keep the fingers of your holding hand safely curled ("claw grip").
• Chop straight down, controlling the force.
• Don't catch a falling knife.
• Store the knife safely.

This robust Art Gladius Nakiri / Chopper knife with a walnut wood handle is a great tool for anyone who processes a lot of vegetables and appreciates durability and strength. It combines the specific Nakiri shape with the sturdiness of a chopper and an elegant design. Quality from Spain for your culinary exploits.