About the Shape - A Nakiri is a vegetable knife. Under utilized in the Western kitchen, the Nakiri’s flat blade is meant for the push/pull chopping of vegetables. Since the entire flat edge of the knife kisses the cutting board at once, you wont be turning the vegetable into an accordion. Accordion vegetables are still connected like a paper doll after you're “done” cutting them. To truly understand the awesomeness of a Nakiri we recommend making onion soup your first night with the knife. The ease of chopping will blow you away. About Moritaka Ishime -Moritaka Hamono was founded in 1293 and have been producing high quality blades for 31 generations. I think they know what they’re doing by now. Five generations ago the family made the switch to producing only Hocho (kitchen knives).The knives made by the Moritaka family have a real classiness and beauty. This series of knives are known for a thinness which translates to fantastic sharpness. This finish is known as Ishime, Rock Surface, and was not used on kitchen knives before this series. This series is exclusive to Knifewear.