Santoku Knife

Details of a Santoku Knife

A Santoku knife is normally around 5 to 8 inches long with a almost cleaver-like blade shape. It also commonly has a granton edge that helps to release food after slicing. Santoku knives are known for being some of the better balanced knives. It is typically a thinner blade than a chef's knife but made of harder steel.

Uses of a Santoku Knife

"Santoku" means "three virtues" in Japan which it lives up to with it's ability for chopping, dicing, and mincing vegetables and meats. It was originally a replacement of the western chef's knife specifically designed for use in Japanese cuisine. A Santoku knife is better at precision cutting and slicing than a chef's knife. Santoku knives are also easier to handle and liked by many people with smaller hands.

Our Recommended Santoku Knives

Shun Elite Santoku Knife: $199.95
The Japanese company Shun makes a top of the line Japanese Santoku knife. It is 6 1/2" of high-carbon stainless steel.

Wusthof Classic Ikon 7" Santoku Knife: $129.95
A really nice high-carbon stainless steel, forged, hollow-edge santoku knife. The Wusthof Ikon series is known for their high quality and superb craftmanship.

J.A. Henckles Granton Santoku Knife: $79.95
The J.A. Henckles Santoku Knife is 7 inches long and is made of high-carbon steel. It also has a granton edge to help slide through the food more effectively when cutting.

Up Next: The Slicing Knife