Migaki finished Japanese knives

A migaki finish on a Japanese knife refers to a polished blade surface that sits between a full mirror and a raw, unfinished look. The term migaki literally means “polished,” and it describes a finish achieved by carefully buffing the steel to create a smooth, satin-like sheen. Unlike highly reflective mirror finishes, migaki is more subtle, offering a clean and refined appearance without excessive gloss.

This type of finish is especially common on stainless and semi-stainless blades, where it helps highlight the knife’s clean lines and overall craftsmanship. From a practical point of view, a migaki finish is easy to maintain, resists visible scratches better than mirror polish, and is simple to wipe clean during use, making it a popular choice for both professional chefs and home cooks.