Imarku knives are an affordable kitchen knife brand rapidly gaining a following in the US. They offer several lines of knives and knife sets, most of which have a combination of German and Japanese features. We tested several Imarku knives and researched the brand for this review. Are Imarku knives the right choice for you? Find out here.
Imarku Knives at a Glance
We tested five Imarku chef's knives for this review, although Imarku makes several lines of knives and knife sets.
We test chef knives because they're the most common and versatile knife, and they give us a good feel for an entire line. "Chef" includes standard German chef knives, gyutos (Japanese chef knives), santokus, and occasionally other knives such as cleavers, debas, and nakiris. All the Imarku chef knives we tested have characteristics of German and Japanese knives.
Because Imarku doesn't categorize their knives by line on Amazon or their own website, so list the knives we tested in order from least expensive to most expensive. Prices given are approximate and may change, but the price point itself is likely to remain constant.
Imarku Knife | Features |
|---|---|
 | -High carbon stainless steel -56-58 HRC -20 degree cutting angle (40 degrees total) -Full tang -Weight: 6.6 oz (our weight; this knife was listed as 6.9 oz. on Amazon) -Vacuum heat treatment, nitrogen cryogenic tempering -Pakkawood oval handle with steel endcap (5 color options) -Bess C Sharpness rating: 250g (average of 3 tests) -Made in China or Japan (probably China) -No hassle 3 month returns and lifetime warranty. |
 | -SUS440A Japanese steel -56-58 HRC -20 degree cutting angle (40 degrees total) -Full tang -Vacuum heat treatment, nitrogen cryogenic tempering -Pakkawood oval handle with steel endcap -Bess C Sharpness rating: 235g (average of 3 tests) -Made in China -No hassle 3 month returns and lifetime warranty. |
 | -5cr15mov steel -HRC 56-58 -12-15 degree single bevel blade -Full tang -Weight: 10.9 oz (very heavy) -Pakkawood D-shaped Japanese handle with steel endcap (best for right-handed users) -Bess C Sharpness rating: 80g (average of 3 tests) -Made in China -No hassle 3 month returns and lifetime warranty. |
 | -High carbon German stainless steel with powdered steel cutting edge (to hold sharpness) -HRC 61-63 -15 degree cutting angle (30 degrees total) -Full tang -Hammered Tsuchime finish (dimples helps reduce food sticking to blade) -Weight: 9oz. -Pakkawood oval handle with steel endcap -Bess C sharpness rating 165g (average of 3 tests) -Made in China -No hassle 3 month returns and lifetime warranty. |
 | -7Cr17MoV steel blade -Powdered steel cutting edge -HRC 62-65 -13 degree cutting angle (both sides) -Reverse tanto ("clip point" tip) -Full tang -Weight: 8.5oz. -Square-shaped handle with steel endcap -Bess C sharpness rating: 115g (avg of 3 tests) -Made in USA (REALLY??) -No hassle 3 month returns and lifetime warranty. |
How We Test
NOTE: If you don't understand all the terms, read the section below on How to Choose a Knife to find out more.
We first look at a knife's overall fit and finish: Is it forged or stamped, does it have a full tang, is the spine polished, are there any rough spots, does it have good balance, and so on. Then we weigh the knife--weight is an important indication of how the knife will handle--and measure spine thickness at the handle with a caliper: the thicker the spine, the heavier, more durable, and less flexible the blade. This can be good or bad depending on what you're looking for, but it's good information to have.
Finally, we test sharpness with the